Ilva Heitmann & Erin Axtell | Bruno Dayan | Flair Italy September 2011 | 'Winter's Tale'

Note | Nudity Photographer Bruno Dayan is one of the foremost image-makers who understands and expresses in editorials, the inherent conflict between sensuality and religion. (Other Dayan editorials.)

Dayan’s photos of Ilva Hetmann and Erin Axtell in Flair Italy’s September issue have a timeless and transcendental quality of old-master’s works. Their visual patina reinforces the biblical truth of thousands of years that women (and men) have fought the battle over monotheism’s demand that women submit our bodies to the control of religious and political institutions — all headed by men.

This fashion monasticism editorial for the September 2011 issue of Flair Italy, styled by Barbara Baumen, isn’t the first of the year; others without nudity are in our AOC style editorials. Bruno Dayan, ‘Winter’s Tale’ richly confronts the subject of women and religion with models Ilva Heitmann and Erin Axtell, adding the sensual, confrontation explicit twist.

I love Dayan for the consistent, inspiring artistry of his images, but also his intellectual focus.

We have two strong statements in a row here this morning with no pre-planning. I dreamed about these silent women everywhere in the world last night, their eyes staring at me so directly, speaking to me in their silence, pleading that we do something to help them.

Thank you for the visual nourishment, Bruno Dayan. And thank you to a Tunisian male blogger who chose to put these images — and the Querelle Janse editorial that follows — in digital motion. Life makes for strange intellectual bedfellows, and we speak the same language — not for the first time today.  Anne

via Newslicious