Institute History
Description
Bruce Weber is credited with revolutionizing men’s fashion photography in the last ten years. Weber’s photography (major clients are Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren) is characterized by its dynamic, candid look, plenty of natural light, models chosen from the world of sports and an unmistakable aura of sexual ambiguity. Weber’s personal work (although he does not like to distinguish between the two) was featured in the 1987 Whitney Biennial; his photographs have been the subject of two published volumes and one-man shows in American galleries and abroad.
Broken Noses, his debut film, introduces Andy Minsker, a light-weight pro boxer and leader of the Portland,Oregon, Mt. Scott Boxing Club for teenage boys. Weber’s approach is a far cry from the standard Golden Gloves homage. His is an affectionate, almost romantic, portrait of a gregarious, sweet-natured, but decidedly macho young boxer—a real-life equivalent of the sensitive toughs so often played by Matt Dillon. The look and sounds of the film are a throw-back to the 1950’s: like a color-saturated Kodachrome snapshot, set to the nostalgic music of Julie London and Gerry Mulligan.