Mick Jagger’s seductive smile, the Beatles bonding with the Maharishi in India, Keith Richards strolling to his private jet with a half-empty Jack Daniels bottle - these are just a few snapshots that document an iconic period in music history - the birth of rock n’ roll. The drugs, the booze, peace and love, hippies and groupies are often things that come to mind when someone mentions the 60’s and 70’s music scene.

​Not only is she the model who inspired Twiggy, muse and former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, inspiration behind the songs, ‘Something’, ‘Layla’, and ‘Wonderful Tonight’, Pattie Boyd is a talented photographer who captured snapshots of life with the Beatles, touring with Eric and one of the first ‘selfies’.

Photographers Pattie Boyd, Henry Diltz and Carinthia West strip away these clichés and invite us to take a glimpse into the lives of those who broke musical barriers – the forefathers and mothers of rock n’ roll. Eric Clapton, the Beatles, Mama Cass, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix are names we all know, but who are they really?

Writer, actress, model and photographer for the Rolling Stones, Carinthia West documented a day in life of iconic figures like Ronnie Wood, Helen Mirren and Neil Young. Member of the Modern Folk Quartet Henry Diltz started his journey as a photographer when he purchased a second-hand Kodak Brownie. Little did he know he would capture a number of famous album covers such as Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Doors and James Taylor, and document Woodstock. Collectively, these photographers’ images tell the stories behind the history of the 60s and 70s. Like these musicians, they were artists. As Carinthia’s documentary is aptly titled “Hanging Out”, Pattie, Henry and Carinthia were just spending time with friends ‘hanging out’.

Humble, kind and inspiring are a few words that describe the photographers behind Visions of Magic Time. A ‘millennial’, as some like to call me, I grew up in 80s and 90s during the time of the Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, the Spice Girls and the Beastie Boys. However, I still grew up listening the magical music of the 60s and 70s. Whenever I went for car ride with my parents or while my mom was cleaning up around the house, the ‘ching-ching’ of Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’ or Viking-esque cry of Robert Plant from ‘Immigrant Song’ blared through the speakers.

As a gallery assistant at Hilton Asmus, I was lucky enough to hear the stories behind these photographs directly from the those captured them and the wonderful Renee Pappas, a true expert on music history, once married to co-founder of Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler. Even prior to the shows official opening, I was struck by visitors’ nostalgic reactions to these images. “I had all these albums!” or “Oh my god, I had such a crush on James Taylor,” are just a handful.

The night before the exclusive preview, Janet Davies from ABC7 came to the gallery to interview Henry and Pattie. Henry stood in front of Crosby, Stills and Nash’s first album cover. Casually sitting on a burgundy leather couch in front of a white house. From left to right are Graham Nash, Stephen Stills and David Crosby. Why are they out of order? Henry explains, "We took the picture and it turned out they were sitting in the wrong order -- they'd named [the group] a few days later. So we went back to re-shoot the picture, and the house was gone. They'd torn it down, yeah. It was a pile of sticks in the back of the lot. It's parking to this day." Little did Diltz know, this image would leave a lasting impression. One of our clients came in with a photograph of he and his friends sitting on the couch in the same pose, “We wanted to be Crosby, Stills and Nash,” Bill Reishstein says.

Pattie discussed her ‘selfie’. Perched on edge of a hotel bed, facing mirror with her camera is the lovely Pattie dressed (so we think) for an evening out of the town. "This was after 13 years of being with Eric Clapton. I now was on my own and not sure of what I was going to do until I spotted my camera," Boyd said. "I was about to go out for the evening and I was getting dressed and I was sitting on the end of the bed. And I had my camera nearby...What you probably don't realize in the photograph, I'm not quite dressed. That is my skirt on the side.”

Upon speaking to a group of professional women, Carinthia tells the story of Chris Jagger standing in front of Robert Palmer’s ‘Pressure Drop’ album poster with a shocked look on his face. The image illustrates a nude woman leaning over a balcony with her perfect backside facing the viewer. “Chris Jagger and I were walking down Sunset Boulevard to get a coffee when we spotted this life-size poster of Robert Palmer’s new album cover for ‘Pressure Drop’ on the wall of Tower Records. I had modeled for the cover a few months before, but it was still a bit of a shock to see myself nude in such a public place! The cover was shot by photographer, Graham Hughes, and there were at least five other people in the room – including assistants, a make-up girl, Robert Palmer and his then wife. It became quite a cause célèbre at the time, with everyone trying to guess who the model was. I kept quiet because I didn’t want to embarrass my parents. This turned out to be unnecessary as when my father [a five-star general in NATO] found out he bought 20 copies and proudly gave them as gifts to all his friends. Here, Chris is miming my parents’ embarrassment. I think I was paid £150 for the shoot. I thought it was a fortune!”

Opening night at the gallery was abuzz with activity. At 5:30 on the dot, visitors started pouring in. Conversation and laughter filled the air. The photographers arrived - Carinthia in a beautiful velvet blue L'wren Scott dress with her long legs and striking smile, Pattie in white pants and flawless skin looking like a supermodel as usual and Henry with his signature ponytail and down to earth grin, awed guests with their stories.

Elliott Roberts, Neil Young’s manager, made a special appearance. The next day, he called Carinthia and Renee to say that when Neil Young found out Carinthia was in Chicago, he wanted to see her.  He invited Carinthia and Renee backstage at Farm Aid at Northerly Island where they were able to reminisce with their old friend Neil.

It was a whirlwind week for the trio traveling from TV to Radio stations the first few days of their arrival. Fox News 32’s Corey McPherrin hosted Pattie, Henry and Carinthia on the morning show. Writer for WTTW, Chloe Riley conducted a fabulous interview in the gallery.  Pattie and Henry were invited for interviews on WDRV (The Drive) and then Pattie was off the WBEZ.  And Michigan Avenue Magazine did a fabulous article on the show with a half page photo of Keith and Ronnie in their lear jet.

Carinthia was a special guest of Elysabeth Alfano’s “The Dinner Party” with Chicago darling, Hebru Brantley and Co-founder of Kickstarter, Charles Adler.  Carinthia shared her stories of Prince Charles.  Afterwards, Carinthia, Pattie and Henry were the stars of Elysabeth Alfano on WGN Plus. “Over quintessential savory pies and bangers and mash made by Chef Art Jackson and his wife Chelsea Kalberloh Jackson from the Pleasant House Bakery, along with lots of Guinness, Pattie, Carinthia and Henry share great stories from the 1960s and 1970s rock era and just how much has changed in today’s celebrity world.”

On the cover of the exhibition catalogue “Who Shot Rock & Roll”, a music photography show curated by Gail Buckland for the Brooklyn Museum, shown nationally and internationally, is a photograph by Henry Diltz of Tina Turner. Her bright red lips form an open-mouthed smile; sweat rolls down her face and a nearly indescribable emotion is reflected in her eyes – pure ecstasy. As one rock n’ roll photographer stated, “Too much bullshit is written about photographs and music. Let the music move you, whether to a frenzy or a peaceful place…Let the photography be one you remember – not for its technique but its soul. Let it become a part of your life – a part of your past to shape your future. But most of all, let the music and photograph be something you love and will always enjoy.”
 
As Ronnie Wood lovingly put it, Carinthia took photographs while we were getting on with life…”

-Erin Benator

‘Whether I am making a portrait of a monk in Bhutan or of an American rock star on the side streets of Istanbul, the one absolute parallel in what I am trying to convey to the viewer is the simple humanity found in one's eyes, body language or facial expression. That unspoken sense of  'Here we are - all in it together.'

Steven Tyler soulfully playing the piano, Joe Perry busking in front of Red Square in Moscow, a vibrant young monk in Bhutan, horses galloping gracefully in sunlight and a soot-smeared girl holding up a Turkish sign in protest. All of these images compose the artistic vision of emerging photographer Zack Whitford.   

On opening night, a wonderful energy filled the gallery. Zack enthralled guests with the colorful stories behind his works and laughter reverberated throughout the space. Red dots splattered the walls.  Within the first two days of the show, half of the exhibition sold out. Whitford's "CONTRAST" was featured in Crain’s, Huffington Post, New City and Euro News. 


Official photographer for Aerosmith and son of rhythm guitarist, Brad Whitford, 32-year old Zack Whitford had his debut exhibition at Hilton | Asmus FOTO on May 29th. Documenting photographs of people, animals and cities in their natural state, sometimes with irony and humor, and at other times he surprises us with the contrast of the experiences he shares, his photographs are a telling commentary on our times.

Casually, yet thoughtfully, dressed in blue jeans and t-shirt, Stetson hat, a bandana knotted around his belt loop and a camera slung around his neck, Zack was what I envisioned – rock n’ roll, Los Angeles hip, fused with a creative soul. He warmly introduced himself and began to tell me about his time in Chicago so far. Accompanied by his father, Brad was the opposite of the stereotype that comes to one’s mind when we think ‘rock star’ – very warm and humble. In jeans and cowboy boots with a warm smile, he shook my hand. Rather than going off to see the city, Zack offered to roll up his sleeves to set up for the show and Brad insisted on helping us spackle the walls in preparation for Zack’s exhibit. 

“CONTRAST” was the result of a conversation between curator Arica Hilton and her friend Maria Leone. Maria grew up with Terry Hamilton, the wife of Aerosmith bass guitarist Tom Hamilton.  Aerosmith was on their way to Istanbul for a concert.  Maria wanted to take them to a special, non-touristy place while there.  Arica suggested they visit one of our favorite artists at Hilton | Asmus Contemporary, Yasemin Aslan Bakiri, one of Turkey’s most respected internationally renowned glass artists, whose studio and gallery is comprised of two ancient Byzantine houses excavated nine years ago. This was a special place beyond parallel, Arica told Maria, that would impress her rock star friends. 

Upon her return from Istanbul, Maria suggested Arica take a look at a budding new photographer’s works. Upon seeing Zack’s imagery, Arica knew he was more than just a rock n’ roll stage photographer. Capturing the spirit of musicians playing on stage and behind-the-scenes, to national and international street scenes and wildlife, Hilton was inspired to curate CONTRAST.

The collection features photographs taken on the road with Aerosmith in the United States and various countries, including Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Peru and Bhutan. One portrait of Steven Tyler, lead singer for Aerosmith, shows him surrounded by young fans taking “selfies” with their iPhones. Titled, “These Are Our Times,” the photo a commentary on the digital obsessed culture of today.

From the stage to the streets, Whitford navigates his way seamlessly into the lives of his subjects. The exhibition will feature images of Johnny Depp on stage with Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer. In contrast, Whitford presents us with a man playing a guitar who is missing a hand. He presents us with the cycle of life, a little girl and an aging woman from the Quechua tribe in Peru, and Syrian children in refugee camps in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. He travels the back roads of America and rivers in Africa, allowing us a lens into worlds we may or may not know.

Coincidentally, the Aerosmith concert in Istanbul was cancelled due to protests for the mining disaster that killed hundreds of people.  Instead of photographing Aerosmith on stage, Zack photographed the protestors in the streets of Istanbul which have become an integral part of our show.   

In his podcast with Elysabeth Alfano for Huffington Post, he explains what he has learned from his travels, "Everybody cherishes their children's future. Most people love dogs. I'm not really interested in people who don't like dogs. By traveling you realize that the world is a much smaller place than it seems."

We are also grateful to Crain's Shia Kapos and Fox News' John Kelley for taking the time to interview Zack.

“...it’s impossible not to be calm once you immerse yourself in water since it takes on its own rhythm. Of course the second you go below the water’s surface you can barely hear the tiniest sounds. It’s an all-enveloping, womb-like world,” Hugh Arnold.

Despite the tumultuous economic times in Greece, the art market continues to thrive. Debuting in North America at Hilton|Asmus Contemporary last September and later opening in London, renown fashion photographer, Hugh Arnold’s “Agua Nacida” exhibition makes a big splash in Mykonos.

Agua Nacida, meaning “water born” in Spanish, is a unique collection of large-scale underwater nudes, photographed amidst the unspoiled depths of the seas surrounding the Fiji islands and Gozo, off the coast of Malta in the Mediterranean.

The vibrancy of the ocean is stunningly highlighted through the quality of his Lambda Chromogenic prints mounted on Dibond, an aluminum substrate and finished with an acrylic surface.  Lambda printing is quite a unique printing process in the field of photography, combining the continuous tone of traditional chromogenic prints (also known as “C-Prints”) with the control of today’s digital printing, Lambda prints, or Digital C Types, are often considered to be some of the most beautiful and accurate prints available.

“Aqua Nacida” illustrates the elegance of the female figure beneath the serene depths of the Pacific, while capturing the dynamism of life beneath the sea and within the feminine sprit. Arnold further explores the beauty of the human form and symbolic transition from womb to womanhood, while also showcasing the body so that the humans appear to become one with the sea life around them.

Arnold explains, “We are entirely governed by the power of nature: the sun, the moon and, above all, the tides. We humans are so infinitesimal that we barely register above the power of the ocean, so we must submit to it and respect it.”

If scuba diving with supermodels wasn’t exhilarating enough, Hugh Arnold and Agua Nacida’s debut in Chicago was featured in 25th Anniversary Edition of CS Modern Luxury and Hunger TV.

While Arnold shares his stunning oceanic images throughout the Mediterranean, along Lake Michigan, Hilton|Asmus continues to communicate the beauty of water and femininity through Arnold’s work.

by Erin Benator
 

 

 

When Arica told me that she was contemplating an exhibition of Herb Greene's photographs of the Grateful Dead, I thought it was an excellent idea. With the exhibition coinciding with three concerts by the surviving members of the "Dead" at Soldier Field over July 4th weekend, this would be a truly historic exhibition.

I was not a "Dead Head" but I had seen them perform several times.  In the early 1970's my husband, Jerry Wexler, had invited Jerry Garcia and their manager, Sam Cutler, to dinner. Jerry was in hot pursuit of the "Dead" as their contract with Warner Bros. was coming to an end and he wanted to sign them to Atlantic . In the end they re-signed with Warner Bros.

I did not know Herb, but in our first conversation we discovered that our paths must have indeed crossed, either at the Monterey Pop Festival or at concerts at the Fillmore West. We also had a number of mutual friends including Peter Albin and Sam Andrews of  "Big Brother and the Holding Company", gallery owner and one-time Rolling Stones Records President, Earl McGrath, and Bill Brach.

Peter Albin had introduced my sister, Connie, and me to Bill on one of our visits to San Francisco. Bill became enamored of Connie and soon after, he arrived in Los Angeles with camera in hand. He asked us, along with our Afghan hound, Kabul, to spend the day at various locations taking portraits of us. After many decades Bill contacted me when he was preparing a book of his photographs. 

Herb revealed that Bill was the person who had drawn hieroglyphics on a bedroom wall which became the backdrop for numerous portraits of the Grateful Dead, the Jefferson Airplane and other San Francisco bands. When I sent Bill the press release for Herb's exhibition he sent me the following history of the famous wall:

I met Herb at S.F. State.  We took photography and film classes together.  I rented a room from him and his wife (who later worked for Bill Graham) in '65 on Baker St., a few blocks north of the panhandle.  He took me down the peninsula to hear a band called the Warlocks.  They sounded like early Stones.  It was a small place and the band was on the dance floor.  Herb said I kept bumping into one of the microphones and as I was dancing my ass off I didn't realize it. 

 My bedroom had this gashouse green wallpaper that was beginning to peel off so I took a paint scraper and scraped it all off.  Under the wallpaper was a plaster wall and it had "Happy New Year Folks 1936" written in large letters.  I was taking a class in Egyptology from an Egyptian woman who always wore lots of gold jewelry and part of the class was learning hieroglyphs. 

 Using a felt tipped pen I began to practice my hieroglyphs on the wall as well as doing a few abstract drawings until most of the wall was covered.  The room had east facing windows and in those days no one used flash, just natural lighting (which was great in S.F. because it was often foggy and the light was diffused) and a nice light filled the room.  When I moved out Herb used the room as his studio.


There really are only six degrees of separation!!    ~Renee Pappas

HILTON  | ASMUS FOTO  

celebrates

"DEAD FIFTY YEARS"
BY PHOTOGRAPHER HERB GREENE,
featuring vintage photographs of THE GRATEFUL DEAD
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 2nd from 5:30 – 9:00

‘I met Jerry when I was wandering through North Beach in San Francisco looking for beatniks. I heard a bluegrass band coming through a coffee shop door and I went in. After the set I walked up and introduced myself to him ‘cause I was so keen on bluegrass. It’s an unforgettable moment for me.'
                                                                                                               ~ Herb Greene

CHICAGO – HILTON | ASMUS FOTO, 716 N. Wells Street, Chicago, presents vintage photographs of the THE GRATEFUL DEAD by legendary photographer, Herb Greene during the "Fare Thee Well" concerts by the surviving members of the Grateful Dead that will take place at Soldier Field over the Fourth of July weekend.

The third photography exhibition for the newly launched Hilton | Asmus FOTO opens on July 2nd and continues through July 30th.

Herb Greene was part of the 1960's San Francisco art scene and a friend of many of the musicians that emerged to create psychedelic music and the San Francisco sound.

He began photographing the Grateful Dead when the group was called the Warlocks. His iconic photograph of the band on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets is the poster for this exhibition. A limited edition of 50, signed and numbered copies will be available for purchase.

Greene photographed them at free concerts in the park, the Fillmore Auditorium, the Avalon Ballroom and the Monterey Pop Festival as well as the group's many concert tours around the country. He has photographed San Francisco 60's legends including The Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin & Big Brother and the Holding Company, Moby Grape, Country Joe and the Fish, and the Charlatans.    

International musicians photographed by Herb Greene include Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker, The Pointer Sisters, Sly Stone, Carlos Santana and Rod Stewart.

In addition to framed signed and numbered copies, the exhibition will present the portfolios, "Brief Encounters with the Dead" and "Acid Age of San Francisco Rock" as well as the penultimate copy of the "Platinum Portfolio".  Also available will be one of-a-kind lithographs, triptychs and one-off vintage copies of the most iconic photographs. 

HILTON | ASMUS FOTO salutes this legendary band and its legendary photographer, Herb Greene.  

Opening reception for Herb Greene's exhibition "Dead Fifty Years"
Thursday, July 2nd from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm at HILTON | ASMUS FOTO
716 N. Wells  •  Chicago, IL 60654  •  312.852.8200  • www.hiltonasmus.com

On Friday, July 3rd at 2:00 PM, Herb Greene will give a lecture at the Virgin Hotel.

A corresponding exhibition will be held at UPSTAIRS, the 25th floor of the Virgin Hotel Chicago, 203 North Wabash Avenue www.virginhotels.com

Upcoming exhibitions will include Henry Diltz, Pattie Boyd (former wife of George Harrison & Eric Clapton), Carinthia West (actress/photographer Rolling Stones), and Peter Sorel.