Private Diary (Photography/Erotic/Males)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Feature: C+
The male body has always been the subject of art through
the centuries, including still photography.
Women have loved them, as have men, yet as women were usually the object
of the subjective gaze, the male image was pushed aside in odd ways. However, the image of the male as
subjectively viewed was always there and slowly made a comeback and then some
as the 1960s kicked in. Pedro Usabiaga
is a still photographer who likes the male image and in his new program Private
Diary (2004), he explains what types of men he likes to capture, why he
likes each of them, what each represents to him and even discusses other art
(like motion pictures) in the way he thinks about their images.
In some recent films, it has been ironic how the male
image has become plastic, a Rambo-ized joke or oddly death-like. Nudes are not as simple as just shooting
someone without clothes on. Usabiaga is
a cut above that, having a real appreciation for his subjects beyond just
sexual interest or erotic potential.
What is impressive are the shots where color videotape become monochrome
images, which shows he is capturing more than just cheap shots of the various
models. It is very classy, no frontal
nudity is included and this is more than just idealized predictability. It is a mature appreciation of the male form
and males in general, sexual and otherwise.
Yes, it is erotic, but not just gay.
Instead, Usabiaga understands visual language and Private Diary
is just bold enough to show an artist really opening up. Nothing seems exploitive and each subject
and still builds a vision of a peaceful, meditative appreciation of the
body. The result is a real lesson in
still photo work and the mature, adult side of an underappreciated artform
covered in detail.
The 1.33 X 1 image was shot in the analog PAL video format
and has its limits. Too bad this was
not shot on film, but anyone who likes this enough will look for a book of
Usabiaga’s work. It is clear enough to
show the models, though the actual film prints would be more impressive in
detail. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is
simple stereo at best, with subtitles throughout that are not removable. The only extra is a stills section for the
various models, but that is the extent of it.
Obviously, high quality prints of his work are available on the web,
which inadvertently would give you an idea if you want to see this program for
its subjects or not.
- Nicholas Sheffo
