Watch the video for a behind-the-scenes look at the installation and exhibition opening last week.
OPENING CEREMONY: How do you describe Yearbook to people who haven’t seen it?
RYAN MCGINLEY: I would say: picture a kaleidoscope that captures a very colorful place with a lot of people. Then picture everyone naked—that's what the show feels like.
Who is a model people ask you the most about?
Guys always ask me about Carlotta. She’s a true beauty and an amazing photographer. Her mother was a Helmut Newton model in the '80s. It makes me smile to think that I’m shooting in the Newton model lineage.
It seems like you're channeling the Sistine Chapel. Have you ever visited it?
Who is a model people ask you the most about?
Guys always ask me about Carlotta. She’s a true beauty and an amazing photographer. Her mother was a Helmut Newton model in the '80s. It makes me smile to think that I’m shooting in the Newton model lineage.
It seems like you're channeling the Sistine Chapel. Have you ever visited it?
No, but I’ve studied it since I was a young artist. The Yearbook exhibition ceiling nods to Michelangelo. I’ll always remember the scene in Six Degrees of Separation, where Donald Sutherland is on the scaffolding and slaps the hand of God on its ceiling. I’ve always wanted to do that, maybe one day. Sometimes I watch virtual tours of it online before I go to bed.
What can people expect when they pose nude for you?
It’s a combo therapy session-slash-full-body workout for each model I shoot. We talk seriously about life and then jump around and dance our asses off.
What inspired covering every inch of the walls?
The process was inspired by how posters for advertisements get wheat pasted around downtown NYC. I love how they overlap and get layered on top of each other. I like how the posters aren’t precious and how handmade the process is. It’s usually done at night and is fast and illegal so it’s often not perfect.
I understand that most everyone in the photos are artists. Who are some of your favorite artists that have modeled for you?
Kay Kasparhauser is in a band called The Prettiots. I just saw them play a show recently, and they really reminded me of the Decendents. Sandy Kim is one of my favorite photographers. Her photos of the band Girls was what attracted me to her work originally. Karley Sciortino is an amazing writer who’s work you can read on her website slutever.com.
Is there anyone from the OC family in the exhibition?
Yes, Sean Risley! He has a few portraits up on the walls. I’ve shot him a few times as he slowly covers his entire body with tattoos. I love his dedication.
What can people expect when they pose nude for you?
It’s a combo therapy session-slash-full-body workout for each model I shoot. We talk seriously about life and then jump around and dance our asses off.
What inspired covering every inch of the walls?
The process was inspired by how posters for advertisements get wheat pasted around downtown NYC. I love how they overlap and get layered on top of each other. I like how the posters aren’t precious and how handmade the process is. It’s usually done at night and is fast and illegal so it’s often not perfect.
I understand that most everyone in the photos are artists. Who are some of your favorite artists that have modeled for you?
Kay Kasparhauser is in a band called The Prettiots. I just saw them play a show recently, and they really reminded me of the Decendents. Sandy Kim is one of my favorite photographers. Her photos of the band Girls was what attracted me to her work originally. Karley Sciortino is an amazing writer who’s work you can read on her website slutever.com.
Is there anyone from the OC family in the exhibition?
Yes, Sean Risley! He has a few portraits up on the walls. I’ve shot him a few times as he slowly covers his entire body with tattoos. I love his dedication.