The Paris Chong Show

Matthew Rolston discusses his early influences, which include growing up in Hancock Park, his grandfather being a doctor to MGM stars, and his proximity to Art Center. He also mentions his mother's collection of *Harper's Bazaar* magazines, which sparked his interest in fashion photography from a young age. He also recounts visiting his grandfather's office, where he saw photographs from the MGM photo studio, further shaping his artistic sensibilities. Rolston also humorously admits to sneaking into life drawing classes at Art Center as a child.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston

https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #earlyinfluences #mgm #artcenter

Matthew Rolston, a renowned photographer, shares anecdotes from his illustrious career, including his early work with Michael Jackson and his numerous Rolling Stone covers. He recalls photographing Michael Jackson as "the King of Pop" before the title was widely known, and discusses how Elizabeth Taylor publicly coined the phrase at Jackson's behest. Rolston also touches on the influence of artists like Prince and Madonna, and highlights his pride in shooting the first U2 cover for Rolling Stone. Paris reflects on the lasting impact of these iconic figures and Rolston's significant contributions to pop culture history.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston

https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #director #michaeljackson #madonna #u2

Matthew Rolston describes his big break into editorial photography, which came through Andy Warhol and *Interview* magazine. His first significant assignment was photographing Steven Spielberg, who was a rising director at the time, having just completed *Jaws* and with *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* about to be released. Rolston also reflects on the decline of print magazines and the shift towards digital and experiential media.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston

https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #andywarhol #vogue

Matthew Rolston discusses his creative process and the evolution of his career from editorial and advertising photography to music videos and personal fine art projects. He shares his philosophy on working with on-camera talent, emphasizing that performance and magic in front of the camera are paramount, regardless of the individual's personality. Rolston also delves into his conceptual art projects, such as *Talking Heads: The Vent Haven Portraits*, which explores the idea of projecting human life into images and objects, and *Vanitas: The Palermo Portraits*, a meditation on mortality. He also touches upon the changing media landscape, the rise of social media, and the future of visual culture with AI.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston

https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #performance #matthewrolston

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.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/matthew-rolston-an-unparalleled-career-from-pop-culture-iconography-to-fine-art

Upcoming Shows:

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

THE POWER OF PLEASURE, ARTCENTER CLASS

https://www.thepowerofpleasure.com

Chapters:

(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

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Brian Bowen Smith discusses his artistic approach, stating that his shows emerge organically rather than from a pre-planned strategy. He expresses his interest in mixed media and color photography, noting that his color works must be so visually overwhelming that the viewer focuses solely on the vibrancy rather than the subject. He also touches upon his nude photography, aiming for an aesthetic that transcends the nudity itself, a goal he jokingly equates to a gynecologist's professional detachment. His wife's understanding and even assistance in finding nude models are highlighted, contrasting with other photographers whose partners object to such work, and he mentions his current shift away from nudes to focus on landscapes and everyday scenes.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Brian Bowen Smith

https://youtu.be/SVu6G1sTWHE

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #art #mixedmedia

Brian Bowen Smith explains his philosophy on generosity and karma, stating that he doesn't do good deeds to receive something in return, but rather because it feels good to help others, even in small ways. He shares a poignant anecdote about hugging a crying stranger who later revealed how desperately she needed that embrace, leading him to ponder if his simple act of kindness might have averted a more tragic outcome.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Brian Bowen Smith

https://youtu.be/SVu6G1sTWHE

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#karma #generosity #empathy

Brian Bowen Smith discusses the origin of his book "DriveBys”, a project inspired by receiving one of the first Leica M10 Monochrom cameras during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains how the camera's lack of color allowed him to focus solely on composition. The project began with a spontaneous photoshoot of a neighbor's daughter in a vintage dress, captured from his 1958 Ford F-100 truck during an unexpected rain shower. This first "ghostly" image, and a subsequent one featuring a friend's mother in her wedding dress on a swing, immediately suggested a series, leading him to embark on a road trip across America, seeking out unique subjects for the project.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Brian Bowen Smith

https://youtu.be/SVu6G1sTWHE

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#brianbowensmith #photography #leicam10 #monochrome

Brian Bowen Smith discusses his unexpected move to California in the nineties, influenced by his director friend Evan Stone, whom he met while skating under the Brooklyn Bridge. Brian, who studied acting at the William Esper Studio, recounts his past acting gigs, including playing Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend (an NYU soccer player who stole her stuff) on *Friends* and a photographer on *The Morning Show*. He also shares his lifelong dream of living in California, rooted in a transformative experience during a college gymnastics championship in San Luis Obispo, where he envisioned his future life by the Malibu Pier.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Brian Bowen Smith

https://youtu.be/SVu6G1sTWHE

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#brianbowensmith #friends #photography #jenniferaniston

Brian Bowen Smith, also known as BBS, joins Paris Chong for Episode 31. In this captivating episode, Brian discusses his illustrious career as a photographer, touching upon his "Angel show", held during COVID with Stephan Sco and Brandon Boyd. He opens up about the crucial role his wife, Shea, plays in managing his life and career, a partnership that has thrived for over 35 years. Brian attributes their relationship's success to staying busy and continually striving to impress each other, emphasizing that stagnation can make life difficult.

Brian shares insights into his upbringing in Syracuse, New York, and how he transitioned into photography after an unexpected encounter with director Evan Stone in the nineties under the Brooklyn Bridge. He recounts his past acting experiences, including a role as Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend on *Friends* and a photographer on *The Morning Show*. He also reveals that in over 30 years, he's only had one truly bad experience with a celebrity, noting that most are appreciative and professional.

The conversation then shifts to Brian's book, *Drivebys*, created during COVID using a monochrome camera. He describes how the project began in his Agoura Hills neighborhood, starting with a photo of a neighbor's daughter in a vintage Ford F-100 truck. The unplanned rainy weather led to a "ghostly" and "eerie" shot through the truck's windows, inspiring the entire series. Brian also hints at an upcoming mixed-media collaboration with a talented young neighbor, expressing his excitement for their artistic partnership. The episode concludes with a humorous discussion about their shared hyperactive personalities and a mention of Brian's gorgeous home in Agoura Hills, complete with old trucks and various animals.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/brian-bowen-smith-from-friends-to-fine-art-drive-vision-and-the-unexpected-shot

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:34) Brian Bowen Smith

(00:05:15) Moved to LA

(00:09:54) ADHD

(00:13:15) Big Fan of Painting

(00:16:08) Brian's House

(00:20:12) Drivebys

(00:27:00) Moving to LA

(00:31:34) Neighbors and Parties

(00:35:37) Karma

(00:40:36) Money Doesn't Equal Happiness

(00:42:14) Being Brian Bowen Smith

(00:46:53) Working on Now

(00:53:37) See More of Brian

(00:57:08) Outro

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com