There is also Naomi Campbell, who is depicted on the back of the watch, as a “timeless icon”, in the new “timeless” Pirelli calendar signed by Prince Gyasi, the first African photographer in the history of the calendar. Gyasi said that the snapshot is called “the time stopper, because the model is a symbol of the person who was able to stop time,” who immortalized characters capable of leaving a mark that will remain and inspire future generations. “We are not born immortal, but we have become one,” declared the Ghanaian visual artist, explaining that his characters, depicted with the colors and strong contrasts that made him famous all over the world, are to him “like the superheroes we represent.” He is recognizable.” Prince Gyasi is the last of the thirty-nine artists to create the historical calendar. His work represents the 50th edition of “The Cal™”‘s sixty-year history, from 1964 to 2024, taking into account the years in which it was not published. – Edited by Michela Proetti
For the first time, a ruler has entered the Pirelli calendar: one of the heroes of the calendar is in fact Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, king of the historic Ashanti Empire in West Africa, who was photographed at Manhya Palace with his royal delegation, in a “royalty” shot. All of Cale’s new talents are accompanied by a title: director, DJ and producer Idris Elba is the “Man of Honor”; Actress and international star Tiwa Savage is “resilient.” Writer, director and producer James Samuel is a “visionary.” Businessman and former footballer Marcel Desailly is “Fox” and singer, artist and actress Teyana Taylor is “Future Forward”.
American actress Angela Bassett (pictured) represents “altruism”: Oscar nominee is photographed holding a key in her hand. “I really like Prince Gyasi’s work because it celebrates black supremacy and pays tribute to the African diaspora,” Bassett said. Prince Gyasi began thinking about the characters he wanted to include and what they represented to him, based on the sense of community that is widespread in West Africa: For him, one of the youngest artists was called upon to try his hand at “The Call,” and this meant going back to his childhood and thinking about the people who inspired him during 28 years of his life. The calendar thus became the story of what allows people, in the artist’s eyes, to be “immortal.”
Poet Amanda Gorman is pictured with a wall of words behind her. The activist, who recited his verses at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, said he found the new Cal “poetic and full of messages.” Described by the photographer as “selfless,” Gorman dedicated her shoots to others: “I hope my presence at Cal delivers a positive message.” Even the pink color of the cover was seen by the photographer in an “altruistic” way: “It generates hope, it is a desire for the future.”
There is also a photo of the young Prince Gyasi, a “miniature persona” of the photographer, played by young model Abul Faid Yusuf. Against a bright turquoise background, Youssef is shown playing with miniature versions of some of the items on the calendar pages. In his journey as a visual artist, Gyasi draws on a series of memories and experiences from his childhood in Ghana: from days spent with his musical grandfather, to working as an assistant to a photographer in the markets of Accra, to frequenting recording studios, television and radio stations with their parents and gospel musicians. Prince Gyasi did not study photography, but rather studied art in the form of drawing, picture making, sculpture and printmaking. He spent his time using his first drawing program on his computer and looking for innovative ways to create through graphics programs. His goal was to build a style that people could instantly recognize. “I created a bridge between drawing and photography,” he said. I satisfy people who love photography, but also those who love drawing; So I create a new bridge that I consider not just photographs, but works of art.”
Portrait of the photographer: Self-taught, he learned photography using his iPhone. “I am deeply influenced by the world around me,” said Gyasi, who chose to take the photos in London and Ghana to raise awareness of his country’s culture and natural resources. “Ghana is private land,” he explained. It is the gateway to Africa where you can find everything: cocoa, gold, bauxite, oil… I wanted to bring Pirelli there to introduce a new world with a calendar that will last forever, creating, I hope, new possibilities for development. After Botswana, where the 2008 Pirelli Calendar was created, it is good to go to another African country, discover its culture and meet the locals. It is the most peaceful country in Africa. I think it’s a special place and you feel the energy when you go there. It was very motivating to do on-location filming and make people understand better how the country works.”
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