The New Pirelli Calendar is Savage

A minor hubbub was heard yesterday over the latest Pirelli Calendar, the rarest of artsy calendars available only to the elite. Heated accusations of model torture have been written on Jezebel. The most notable example is Isabeli Fontana's teary eyed session where she poses with a bug on her face. She's clearly seen with tears rolling in this video here, also in the one embedded below.

My humanistic self would like to believe no model was made to do anything she had not consented to do. With a reputable photographer at the helm, Peter Beard, it is hard to believe respect was not carried out. The impression I get from the behind the scene footage is not of authoritarian enforcement. One should not confuse direction for coercion.

Watching anyone tear up is difficult to bear, but I don't think Fontana swelled up because of suffering. It's more that she felt frightened in realizing what she was doing, as most would feel if they had accepted to have an exotic insect crawl on their face. In fact, she even anticipated tears saying, "I'm afraid I'm going to start crying, " in the 25 minute special available on the Pirelli site (also in the clip below). Being the strong model that she is, Fontana persevered. Beard even offered some consoling words: "Let the tear come out." Minutes later Isbeli talks of her shoot with the elephants, "This is just unforgettable. For me, it's the greatest thing I've ever done."

To see the full making-of video in the best of quality (recommended) you'll need to hand over your e-mail (use this service) at the official site. Some clips are also currently available on YouTube. Registration isn't needed to see the photos.

I'm not getting into the argument of female degradation commenters have been spewing of—something commonly said of anything involving naked women.

If somehow you think nude models were placed in Africa for the purpose of misogynistic savagery, I suggest you take a look at Peter Beard's other African based work, particularly the photo of a man eating crocodile.

Pirelli Calendar (Official site)
{via The Reverse Cowgirl}

PeterBeard.com



Previously:
Looking through the Pirelli Calendars