JOHN PALATINUS: TOMORROW'S MAN

Antebellum gallery, the only fetish art gallery in America, is proud to present the first exhibition of

JOHN PALATINUS: TOMORROW’S MAN

In the early part of the 20th century the only photographs of men's bodies were the famous Eadweard Mubridge studies of men in motion, bare knuckled prize fighters and the advertisements of Charles Atlas, an early advocate of men's fitness.

During the late Forties and early Fifties a group of mostly gay men began doing "artistic studies" of bodybuilders with carefully concealed genitalia, or in posing straps. Among these pioneers were Lon of New York, Bruce of Los Angeles, Bob Mizer of Athletic Model Guild, Mel Roberts of California, and John Palatinus of New York.

Also at this time a series of new publications emerged: Tomorrows Man, Vim, Manuel, Physique Pictorial and others celebrating the male physique. Thru these magazines homoerotic works were seen nation wide. In many cases for the first time. In compensation the photographers were given free advertisements to sell their work.

Many did a brisk business as these photos were considered "hot stuff" in this era.






All this was happening during the Eisenhower administration, a very repressive time for gay people in America. Bars were raided and closed on a regular basis. Those arrested had their names published in the local papers, completely ruining their lives. Witch-hunts were conducted in the State Department to find gay diplomats. McCarthyism was in full bloom.

The Post office had it's own agenda, stamping out so called pornography thru the mail. All of the physique photographers were harassed. Some had their studios raided and were put out of business among them- John Palatinus of New York.

Now more than 50 years after the fact most of these early pioneering physique photographers are long gone, and their work forgotten.

Today homoerotic photography is finally getting its props. There are many young collectors who have sparked a new interest in these early works. The internet has played a major role in this revival. Old collections of photographs and magazines have been pulled out of attics and are now disseminated all over the world.

Today’s fashion photographers are using vintage physique photographs as inspiration for shoots they do for campaigns. Men’s fashion magazines create editorial features of men's underwear posed in a Fifties physique look.

Photographers of this era like Rick Castro, Greg Day, Matthias Herrmann and Jay Jorgensen are keepers of the flame. Other artists like Nick Burger and John Palatinus are finally having their work presented.


Antebellum gallery is proud to present the first ever exhibition of John Palatinus and some of his peers from the past, present and future.

Welcome TOMORROW’S MAN!

Opening reception- February 14th, Valentine’s Day, 2010.

7-9pm

Live models on display!

John Palatinus – in person!

(john palatinus- circa 1958)

ABOUT JOHN PALATINUS

John Palatinus was one of the pioneering early physique photographers of the 1950's.

Along with Lon of New York, Bruce of Los Angeles, and Bob Mizer of Athletic Model Guild, he helped creates a whole new genre of male photography.

Palatinus was noted for his use of light and shadow to highlight the topography of the male physique. He used clean light washed backgrounds to clearly define the figure at a time when some photographers were using kitschy sets and props.

Palatinus was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1929 and lived & worked in that area as a window display designer. During this period he attended Indiana University.

In 1954 he began photographing young body builders of South Bend. His work first appeared in "Tomorrows Man" a pocket seized bodybuilding magazine that featured the same type of young male physique.

A move to New York City came in 1956 where he had a studio on West 13th street in Greenwich Village. He continued to be featured in "TM" and did a thriving business selling his photographs nationwide.

Beginning in 1958, Palatinus started shooting and selling full frontal nude photos thru the mail. This proved to be an unfortunate move His "Village" studio was raided by the US Postal Inspectors in cooperation with New York Police Department. All of his photographs, original negatives, cameras, lights and equipment were confiscated never to be returned. John Palatinus was very effectively put out of business

After a trial, he was convicted not of distribution of so-called pornography, but of conspiracy, a misdemeanor charge, and spent no time in jail.

Palatinus now lives in Palm Springs, California and may be one of the only photographers sill alive from the 1950's era of physique photography.

Antebellum is proud and honored to present the comeback of John Palatinus: welcome- TOMORROW’S MAN!
february 14th thru march 20th

Special Salon Event

KINKY CAMERA CLUB



Antebellum brings back the camera club from the 1950’s.

Open to photographers of all levels, from amateur to hobbyist to pros.

Live physique model.

Hosted by John Palatinus

February 21st

1-3pm

$65 – advance with CC

$75 @ the door

Antebellum
1643 N. Las Palmas Ave
Hollywood, CA 90028
323 856-0667
www.antebellum.us.ms
antebellum@earthlink.net