Ruven Afanador: Angel Gitano: The Men of Flamenco - Tapa dura

"It's no wonder photographer Ruven Afanador was inspired to shoot and compile ngel Gitano: The Men of Flamenco, a photo book celebrating the rich, folkloric tradition, and depicting its comely male performers in all their glory...the lush, high-contrast black-and-white photos capture all the raw energy of flamenco's wild movements and theatrical costumes...Glancing through his 244-page stunner, you can practically hear the Spanish guitar, the foot stomps, and the handclaps. Put a copy on your coffee table and crank up a track by flamenco singer Estrella Morente. Your home will be transformed into a far more passionate place." -Out.com "Ruven Afanador's Captivating Portraits of the Men of Flamenco...captures the fierce egos of these dancers in a surreal setting. Set against stark white backgrounds, men of all ages, shapes, and sizes participated in the project...Afanador was able to capture moments of extreme confidence and sensuality in his subjects that is infused with an interesting mixture of masculinity and femininity." -American Photo "Afanador's lustful gaze is felt throughout the book...Angel Gitano is overtly sexual...kicks you in the face with sex, right on the dramatic and perfectly executed cover." -Photo District News "Warm up someone's winter with this photographic essay that puts the men in flamenco. Shot with a tinge of Daliesque surrealism beneath the harsh sun of Andalusia, these stark, stirring portraits capture the simultaneous grace and machismo of their dancer subjects. No mere beefcake collection, this is a torta Ires leches of grit, glamor, and gmr." -Passport

An evocative celebration of the men of gypsy flamenco culture, from one of contemporary photography's most gifted artists. of contemporary photography's most gifted artists. Known for his edgy photographs, Ruven Afanador amazes again with another collection of images that will seduce and delight. Following up on Mil Besos-which focused on the women of flamenco-Afanador turns his powerful vision to the men of flamenco, with startling results. Photographed in Andalusian Spain, these unique images present a universe inhabited by gypsies, musicians, and most of all the male flamenco dancers, full of beauty and bravado. Captured in arranged poses or in mid-dance, the dancers embody the wild, youthful passion inherent in the musical world of flamenco. As likely to be in gorgeous costumes as in the nude, these men exude gritty glamour, innate classicism, and a singularly charged eroticism. Combining the surreal glamour of fashion with documentary photography, these striking black-and-white images will appeal to both the fashion crowd as well as the serious art photography audience.