Paris hosts renowned photographer Matthew Rolston, delving into his illustrious career that began in editorial photography with Interview Magazine and Rolling Stone. Rolston shares anecdotes about working with iconic figures like Michael Jackson and Madonna, revealing his conceptual approach to celebrity portraits, such as his Marlene Dietrich-inspired shoot with Madonna and Michael Jackson's "King of Pop" request. He also discusses his extensive work in advertising for major cosmetic brands like Revlon and L'Oréal, and his transition into directing music videos during the MTV era, highlighting how these commercial ventures fueled his creative pursuits.
Rolston reflects on the evolving media landscape, expressing his views on the decline of print magazines and the rise of social media and AI imagery. He emphasizes that while traditional platforms are changing, the essence of powerful image-making remains, and sees AI as a tool that can both lower and raise the bar for creative output. The conversation also touches on his early influences, including his childhood experiences in Los Angeles, his grandfather's connections to MGM stars, as well as his education at Art Center, all of which shaped his artistic vision.
Finally, Rolston discusses his shift from commercial work to personal art projects, driven by a desire to create a lasting legacy. He introduces his conceptual projects like the ventriloquist dummies series, “Talking Heads” and his exploration into art artmaking with "Art People," and details his upcoming "Vanitas" exhibition, which will be spread across four venues in Los Angeles, including ArtCenter and Leica Gallery, Los Angeles. He expresses his excitement for this new chapter and his love of teaching, giving him the opportunity to share his knowledge with the next generation of visual artists.
Episode Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:30) Matthew Rolston
(00:00:54) Editorial Work
(00:07:50) Who's who of the 80's
(00:11:38) Sunny, Cher or Chastity
(00:12:54) Bucket List
(00:13:55) Advertising
(00:16:22) MTV & Music Videos
(00:17:35) Teaching
(00:22:30) Social Media
(00:24:45) AI
(00:29:01) Early Influences
(00:35:43) LA
(00:37:02) Andy Warhol & the Factory
(00:40:34) Long Live Print
(00:45:11) Disaster Story
(00:49:11) Shifting Focus
(00:56:04) Vanitas & Upcoming Shows
(01:03:04) What's The Most Important Thing You Are?
(01:05:36) Outro
Links to Matthew Rolston
- Matthew Rolston's Website
- Rolston's Instagram
- Rolston's Wikipedia
- Rolston's IMDB
- Rolston's Fahey/Klein Exhibit - Link
- Rolston's Lifetime Achievement Award - Link
- The Power of Pleasure : ArtCenter Class - Link
Exhibit Links
- Hollywood Royale: Out of the School of Los Angeles: https://www.hollywoodroyale.com
- Talking Heads: The Vent Haven Portraits: https://matthewrolstontalkingheads.com
- beautyLIGHT: Pictures at a Magazine: https://www.beautylight.com
- Art People: The Pageant Portraits: https://www.matthewrolstonartpeople.com
- Vanitas: The Palermo Portraits: https://www.vanitasproject.com
Vanitas : The Palermo Portraits
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios
