Spanish fashion photography artist Joan Crisol keeps his reputation for on-the-edge photography with this 2012 wall calendar WILD BOYS. Crisol is far more interested in gabbing the aesthetic eye with brilliant contrasting hot colors and strange scene props than he is with frank nudity. In his publications of both women and men bathed in his various lighting schemes and choices of locales he rarely, if ever, presents frontal nudity. Instead he seems concerned with creating a series of stories - conversations between his model and the viewer.
WILD BOYS are not about physical encounters as much as they are about showing off the models' prowess at athletic games - be those in the hot streets of Spain skate boarding, preparing for a sparring match, donning (of doffing) sweat gear, laying in the snow or at the beach, on bikes or simply leaning against a wall. What makes his images memorable are, yes, the models he selects, but even more so the dance with color and visceral, macho atmosphere. Dangerous boys? No. Fascinating photographs, by all means! Grady Harp, October 11