TOMORROW'S MAN OPENS ON VALENTINE'S DAY

ANTEBELLUM's first big exhibition of 2010 opens on VALENTINE'S DAY- february 14th.

JOHN PALATINUS: TOMORROW'S MAN

here's some history-

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.

(matt carroll by john palatinus- 1957)

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

(pete andrew by john palatinus- 1957)

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.


(jimmy hale by john palatinus- 1957)

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.

( newspaper article of raid- 1959)

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

Today physique 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.

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, (now 82!) are finally having their work presented.


(marco berry by jay jorgensen- 2007)


(matthias herrmann by matthias herrman- 1997)


(tony ward by rick castro- 2006)

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!

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, he 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 imagery.

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 the 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. He 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!

(john palatinus- circa 1958)

recent history-

questions asked by ken knox of frontiers magazine-

How did you first come by John's work?

i thought i knew of all the 1950s physique photographers.
back in the early 90s i met bob mizer, (AMG) and had the privilege of visiting his home, i was a very good friend of mel roberts and sold his work at antebellum along with AMG. bruce of LA, lon of new york etc.

(mel roberts- cover- 1968)

awhile back i came across some rare photosets by a NYC photographer- john palatinus. i sold them immediately at the gallery. i was intrigued because i knew nothing of john palatinus. about a year or so later this feisty gentleman comes into the gallery and we have a chat, during which time he reveals that he is in fact john palatinus! ... the rest as they say is- HIS-TORY.

Why did you feel it was important to display John's work? What does this showing represent?

i consider antebellum a fetish art gallery. we present fetish as art.... antebellum is very proud to present the first exhibition of JOHN PALATINUS: TOMORROW' MAN.
john is a living legend and part of history, gay or otherwise. it's important, especially for young people, to view this work and comprehend that he was a pioneer. his art challenged the status quo and gave us civil rights that we now take for granted. ALL gay artists were harassed in john's era. many, (including john) were forced out of business, others were exiled, and other's committed suicide. the 1950's of america was not a easy time for gay people, erotic art or erotic anything. perhaps sex is/was the easiest form of communication so this is how gay men made contacts.. thru sex.... sex is our history, and in many ways sex is our legacy. this exhibit confirms our place in history and our legitimacy as erotic artists.

Anything to add about John?

there is that classic phrase, "respect your elders." as gay people this is even more important because family was not always an easy thing to come by. i invite everybody to meet john palatinus on opening night, (feb 14th). ask him questions. honor him. he is our elder, our history, our roots.

besides this being the debut of JOHN PALATINUS's first exhibition , we will feature classic & new artists such as~

EDWARD LUCIE-SMITH
MATTHIAS HERRMANN
RAYMOND SANDOVAL
CHAMPION STUDIOS
JOHN BLACKBURN
RUBEN ESPARZA
JAY JORGENSEN
JACOB SEMANS
PETER BERLIN
RICK CASTRO
INGRID FERIN
MEL ROBERTS
BRUCE OF LA
NICK BURGER
BILL HAUGSE
DAN PYLE
AMG
and more, much more!

checkout the exhibit @ antebellum gallery- february 14th-
VALENTINE'S DAY.

antebellum
1643 n las palmas ave
hollywood, ca 90028
323 856-0667
www.antebellum.us.ms
antebellum@earthlink.net