Fay

Description

With family photos, video and film stills, and studio photos never before published, Fay captures the collaborative spirit and amazing artistic outpouring of Wegman and his extraordinary companion. Their relationship spanned ten years during which time Fay became as well known to the art world as her canine predecessor, Man Ray. Motherhood brought Fay new concerns and Wegman a wealth of new characters. In 1989 she was joined in the studio by three of her puppies. What followed was a flowering of dramatic roles for Fay and her offspring in a wide range of books and videos for children.

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To a dog owner, each canine's personality is as uniquely defined as a human's. William Wegman knows this as well as or better than anyone. An artist best known for his photos of Weimaraner dogs, Wegman's work in the early '80s centered on his dog Man Ray. As Fay begins, Man Ray has died, and Wegman is resistant to the idea of replacing the irreplaceable Man Ray, named the Village Voice's "Man of the Year" in 1982.

When a fan of the artist meets him a few years later and invites him to choose a puppy from a litter of prize Weimaraners, Wegman is introduced to 6-month-old Fay, who immediately bewitches him with "the eyes of a jungle cat." Thus begins the story of Wegman's connection with the charming, shy, elegant Fay. Initially reluctant to feature her in his work, Wegman is content just to have a pet. But as he watches Fay's character develop into something quite different from Man Ray's, he finally decides to capture her personality in a photo shoot... then another... and another... until the two have developed a unique relationship on camera as well as off.

The book contains many striking photographs of Fay in anthropomorphic poses, as well as in several dresses and wigs--the result is sometimes humorous, sometimes seductive, but always hauntingly human and animal at the same time. Later photos feature Fay's pups Batty, Crooky, and Chundo as well. Pictures from a London Times photo spread feature the velvety dogs draped in diamond jewelry; photos from a Cinderella video incorporate the family into the cast, including Fay as the wicked stepmother and the fairy godmother; and stills from a Hardy Boys-type movie star (who else?) the Weimaraners.

Wegman and Fay's relationship is obviously an involved one--not just between a man and his dog, but an artist and his subject. And it is one that is lovingly captured in Fay's photos and story: here is a dog with a depth of personality equal to a human's, and a dignity and vulnerability expertly caught on film by one of our most original artists.--Kris Law

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Customer Reviews

Very touching book.
This is a beautifully written book. I read it a few years ago and plan to read it again. It is passionately written and both humorous and beautiful. I would suggest it to any dog people and fans of Wegman's work.

2009-08-15 (Las Vegas, NV USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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For anyone that loves their dog
The pictures are fantastic, but it is the story of Fay and her children that are really memorable. A touching account that will make you laugh and cry.

2000-06-27 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Good book
I love Wegman's childrens books and videos more, because they are SO GODDAMN FUNNY! But I was happy to see this book as well. Someone should make a movie of this. His narration in his movie THE HARDLY BOYS is really hysterical. the coolest part of Wegman is his humor.

2000-01-11 | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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BEAUTIFUL and TOUCHING
Being a weim owner I was given this book for christmas. I was aware of Mr Wegman's work both photo and video, as well as his contributions to Sesame Street(not a kid goes by after seeing my dog without saying, "look mommie,a dress-up dog". This book not only illustrate Wegman's artistry with a camera, but the close bonds only a dog owner would know. If you own a dog, not just a weim, this is a must read. If your a tender soul, there are passages that will mist your eyes.

1999-12-28 (ND) | Helpful Votes: 5 | Rating: 5

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A beautiful tribute to Fay by a very gentle photographer
William Wegman's latest book is among his most beautiful. Every page illustrates what a magnificent breed of dog this is and, more importantly, just how loved this dog was by his human companion. There are some early pictures of Fay, some of Fay in pastoral settings, and some with her pups. In all of them, she remains uniquely...Fay. Some of the pictures are quite tender and poignant; and some will evoke laughter. Mr. Wegman makes us see ourselves through a different "lens" and also helps us to take ourselves less seriously. As a fortunate owner of a Weimaraner, I am very grateful to the artist William Wegman who magically manages to make us smile and at the same time allows us to see the inherent beauty and intelligence of these dogs. Sometimes they are even smarter than their owners! I will treasure this book as I do my own complex and beautiful dog. Thank you Mr. Wegman.

1999-12-03 (USA) | Helpful Votes: 13 | Rating: 5

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William Wegman Polaroids

Description

For almost 25 years, William Wegman has been producing photographs with the 20 x 24" Polaroid camera. This body of work began in 1979, when Wegman - already well known in the art world for his wry video and conceptual photographic work - was invited by Polaroid to try out this unusual camera. When Wegman and his dog, Man Ray, travelled to Boston to use the camera for the first time, a remarkable collaboration was launched. After Man Ray died in 1982, Wegman continued his exploration of the medium with non-canine subjects. In the late 1980s, he began to work with the dog Fay Ray and an expanding universe of her progeny. William Wegman captures his canine subjects in a variety of poses and guises. This volume gathers together a collection of his work and includes a candid essay by the artist exploring his experiences with the large-format camera and his models.

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Customer Reviews

Exceptional!
In my opinion this is exceptional photography book. Fay Ray is the best model ever;-)

2010-05-18 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Weims
If you have a Weim or just fancy their adorable face you have to get a copy of the book. The photos are wonderful. Great coffee table piece.

2008-11-17 (Central WI USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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wegman yet again
Yes Wegman has many books about his dogs but this one is unlike most others, the 20X24 camera and what it can achieve is amazing. Wegman uses this camera to its fullest capturing his dogs in many amazing lights. A Wegman book all should own.

2004-09-18 (new york, ny) | Helpful Votes: 7 | Rating: 4

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Photography finds its own Rocky
We are living in an age of sequels. From Star Wars and Matrix of Hollywood to the Gulf Wars, it is repetitions with the same premises and towards, dull or worst, tragic effect. Wegman's early work with his dog Man Ray captured everyone's imagination with its wit and sometimes thought provoking concepts. Wegman like his dogs also became a star, subject of documentaries and an advertising model for Gap clothing. Alas, there was no one to tell this talented artist when to stop, and from doing the children's fables to an episode of Hardy Boys adventure, Wegman's canine companions have found more newer uses including featuring as various alphabets in books for nursery children as well as in between graduate courses offerings in a New School for Social Research catalog.

Like Sylvester Stallone's Rocky that raided the Oscars cupboard in the 1970s, only to milk the concept dry (Mr. Stallone is reportedly scripting another edition), Mr. Wegman has chosen to risk doing the same with his canine models. His latest offering is getting into another commercial territory besides that of prequels and sequels -- the "Making of ___" (for a hit movie) or the "outtakes" or "Alternative Takes" (for a well known but dead musician). Whether Wegman is the Hendrix of Photography or revisiting Man Ray's polaroids is like "the Making of Citizen Kane" is something debatable. What is however more certain is that despite the high levels of literacy that permeates photographic art and the fact that photography doesn't have to pander to the lowest common denominator like most other art forms, it cannot escape the trends in the market place. Trends driven, not by artists but accountants and following the cold logic of prequels, sequels, outtakes and alternative tracks. Whether Wegman will soon be getting his canine models to reinterpret the boy scouts manual or move from the Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew adventures, is there to see. But if this does happen, remember you read it here first.

2003-05-13 (San Francisco, CA) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 1

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What Do You Do?

Description

Young children can see what William Wegman's industrious weimaraners can do, from fighting fires to building houses and waiting tables, in this new board book. The hardworking dogs from Wegman's "My Town" come together again to give the expression "work like a dog" a whole new meaning.

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Customer Reviews

I love this book.
Even as an older kid (31) I can truly enjoy this book. Wegman has an excellent sense of humor. Just take a look at the captions. The opening image on page two is a photograph of a "construction worker", next to a large truck. The caption for the worker is "Dog", the large truck is a "caterpillar", so it is a "Cat". This book is filled with funny little details which make it very enjoyable for kids of all ages. I have a copy on my desk and sometimes use it in brainstorming sessions to relax the group. It works. :*)

2000-11-27 (Brooklyn, NY USA) | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 5

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What do you do?
This is a wonderful book for young children! I keep this book at my office for youngsters to review while talking with there parents. This book has pages of delightful pictures with weimaraners portraying different careers. The reader/viewer will see a doctor, fireman, waitress and many more types of career oriented wiemaraners. This is a wonderful book for children to review to explore their imaginations and ask about many types of careers. I would recomment this book to any dog lover and/or parent.

2000-04-23 | Helpful Votes: 6 | Rating: 4

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Night Before Christmas, The

Description

Celebrate this classic tale with a twist! Clement C. Moore's classic text has been illustrated in many different ways - from traditional to contemporary art styles. But here's a new twist on this old favorite - William Wegman's favorite weimaraners posing as Santa, reindeers, and the well-loved narrator in his nightcap.

This rendition of The Night Before Christmas is sure to become a new classic.

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Customer Reviews

"On the 18th Day of Christmas.....You May Still Be Reading Christmas Books!"
If you are looking for a unique version of The Night Before Christmas, this copy will be just that. The palm-size book is about 3 inches by 3 ½ inches, and probably ½" thick. I don't have to tell you about the story; it's universally known. This will probably be a great stocking-stuffer for one of your children, or maybe a clever table card for everyone attending your Christmas Eve dinner; a hanging bookmark with someone's name will add to the beauty of the table set before the guests. You might even slide a thin festive cord around the book, and hang it as an ornament on your family Christmas Tree; I did just that!

The illustrations look Victorian, and the text is done in calligraphy. While this edition by Running Press may no longer be available, no doubt some entrepreneur is quickly working on a similar type book which can be used in many ways. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

2010-01-13 (USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4

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Little Red Riding Hood Mini Book: Retold and illustrated with color photographs by William Wegman, mini (Wegman, William. Fay's Fairy Tales.)

Description

Naive Little Red Riding Hood is threatened by a conniving wolf when she delivers some muffins to her ailing grandmother, in a photographic reinterpretation of the classic fairy tale in which weimaraner dogs play the characters.

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Customer Reviews

grade 3 book review
Little Red Riding Hood
By Lisa Campbell Ernst

In this version of little red riding hood. Little red must mind her mother and she disobeyed her mother. Little red was persuaded by the wolf and she picked some white flowers and the wolf tricked her and he goes to little red ridding hood's grandmothers house. He sees a note on the door. It said Little Red Ridding Hood, out in the Field. Love Granny. Then he went to the field and he thought he saw an old man on a tractor and it was granny and she picked him up by the collar and put him in his place, which was the Muffin Bakery.
The message in Little Red Ridding Hood is don't talk to strangers because in the book she talks to a stranger, the wolf. The theme is good vs. evil because the wolf faces the strong granny. The granny was the protagonist and the wolf was the antagonist. The genre is fairy tale because wolves can't talk. I would recommend Little Red Ridding Hood to my cousin Landen because he hasn't learned about strangers yet.
In this version of little red riding hood. I really liked that the author has the wolf persuade little red riding hood and I think the wicked wolf was a nice touch in this book of little red riding hood. This book is humorous and I like that the granny is a strong character and puts the wolf in his place in the muffin bakery.

2007-05-03 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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great book
This book is one of Wegmans greatest books, with the use of the 20 x 24 camera he is able to achieve some of the most amazing outdoor photography.
Some people do not uderstand how intence photographing animals is. This is a great book for anyones collection.

2003-08-02 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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A Real Let-Down
As a fan of William Wegman's for years now I always enjoy his works on some level. Unfortunately, this is not one of his best attempts. The photographs are often repetitive and sometimes make it difficult to see the dogs. The pictures really don't work when the wolf is dressed as grandmother. It is hard to understand how Little Red Riding Hood can exclaim how different the wolf's eyes and ears look when they look exactly like her grandmother's. I also had some problems with the story, particularly the ending. The changes were disconcerting and I found the epilogue, in particular, a real let down. I think Wegman's version of Cinderella worked much better than this story did.

2000-06-30 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 2

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Wegman's Mother Goose

Description

A well-known artist recreates these classic nursery rhymes with photographs of his weimaraner dogs as they play all the major roles, including Bo Peep, Old King Cole, Little Miss Muffett, and other favorites.

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Customer Reviews

Wegman's Mother Goose
Fun to read. Another Wegman photographic must for dog fans. Wegman's Weimaraner's in costume are laugh producing and touching at the same time.

2009-09-12 | cookin' in the classroom (Florida) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Pleasantly surprised!
My 3 yr old daughter keeps reaching for this book. The photographs paired with simple Mother Goose Rhymes make for a very entertaining read. This book also has a bit of charm to it, with it's interesting use of fonts and word placement and the country stylized hard cover. This book will definately entertain those who love animals. Kids will enjoy seeing the dogs dressed up as different characters. A very fun book and very well done.

2007-09-20 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Wegman's Mother Goose
I love the Wegman dogs (whoops, I don't know if they know they are dogs) and the whimsy of the Wegman books & videos. They are fun while giving a new twist to learning or to an old story. The weimaraner's take to being made almost human and the immagination of Wegman makes you laugh. My favorite video is ABC Soup. It is a must for your child or grandchild. Mine loved it.

2007-07-12 (Ridgecrest, CA USA) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Age group should read "4 to 100!"
I got this book for MYSELF about 2 years ago - at the age of 36. It put me, as do all Wegman books, in bouts of laughter from his ever-so-creative Weimraner photos.

2000-09-24 | Helpful Votes: 10 | Rating: 4

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