Pirelli 2011

The new 2011 Pirelli calendar was shot by Karl Lagerfeld.
The theme was "Greek and Roman Mythology" and gods were impersonated by numerous famous models and actress Julian Moore on the role of Hera.

From his Paris studio, Lagerfeld created "Mythology", a calendar that reflects
one of his deepest passions, that of Greek and Roman mythology, tales of the
origins of humanity told through the adventures of gods and goddesses, heroes
and heroines. On a voyage back through time transported by the universal
language of photography, "Mythology" takes us to the roots of classical
civilisation and takes the Pirelli Calendar back to the Old World, where nearly
140 years ago a company was born that was to become a multinational organisation
with operations in over 160 nations around the world.

The 36 photos that make up the 2011 Calendar show 24 different subjects, including gods, heroes and myths. With his keen eye, Lagerfeld has 'sculpted' these photos both in terms of their aesthetic rigour and for the recurring references to the art of sculpture and its classical tenets. All of the photos are in black and white, which lends
character to the images, exalts the beauty of the figures represented in sharp
chromatic contrast, and gives them a certain three-dimensionality through the
careful use of light.

"Actresses and models bring these new heroes to life and depict a new concept of the beautiful," said Karl Lagerfeld, who, within the 2011 Pirelli Calendar, has offered up an idyllic, immortal representation of beauty. Beauty, youth, the veneration of form, and desire depict this new concept of beauty and embody the modernity in mythology.

(quote for the press release)


You may learn all about the concept and a very analytical presentation of the gods and semigods portrayed in the project reading the long (but very informative) press release. Visit this page HERE and press "Show Press Release"

You may see more photographs HERE.