The 2024 Pirelli Calendar by Prince Gyasi combines classic art with communal elements.

W

In the 2024 Pirelli Calendar, a young Prince Gyasi is featured playing with vibrant tokens while surrounded by a blue abyss. However, the photographer is not actually 28-year-old Prince himself, but rather seven-year-old Abul Faid Yussif who is pretending to be him. Prince was the one capturing Yussif’s imaginary play through his camera lens. This cover image encapsulates the creative innocence of the visionary Prince, serving as a powerful inspiration for his impressive execution of the 50th edition of the calendar, titled “Timeless.”

When I first met Prince, he was wearing all black with silver accents on his Gucci boots. He had just finished some interviews before the release of the Calendar, but unfortunately, I was not his last one. We had only been talking for two minutes and hadn’t even formally introduced ourselves. I was standing in front of the talented creator, who was known for his use of bold colors, as he cleaned up a spilled drink from the carpet. I had walked into his room at The Edition Hotel and as Prince came to greet me, he accidentally knocked over a can of Dole Pineapple Juice. He insisted on cleaning it up before I could approach the area. He apologized for the mess and said it was terrible.

The moment was tender – there I was, standing in front of this esteemed artist, inside a private room stocked with sweet snacks and soft drinks all set up to honour his transformative work. Yet, he was concerned about staining the hotel rug. Right then, I saw Prince’s purity, his inner child. He hadn’t told me how this part of himself inspired his concept for the Calendar, but it was clear he’d been protecting and channeling it all his life.

The 2024 Pirelli Calendar, photographed by Prince, showcases notable figures such as Naomi Campbell, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Idris Elba, Amanda Gorman, and Jeymes Samuel. Each image features a single individual against a vibrant background, representing their timeless impact on the world. Through his lens, Prince tells their stories as well as his own, drawing on his heritage and youth. As the first Black artist to shoot for Pirelli, Prince aimed to empower the younger generation and inspire them to fearlessly pursue their passions. In my opinion, he succeeded in this endeavor.

Pirelli UK Limited, a subsidiary of the Italian multinational conglomerate, saw an opportunity to increase its presence in the market with the growing number of tire competitors in 1964. To stand out, the company decided to introduce a new element to their business – a printed book that would be available only to their customers. This unique marketing strategy was not only a way to appreciate their loyal customers but also to capitalize on the current cultural trends. Pirelli hired art director Derek Forsyth and photographer Robert Freeman, known for his iconic black and white photographs of The Beatles, to create the original Calendar.

Over the past 40 years, the Calendar has been at the forefront of capturing the essence of contemporary society through its visually striking images. From Paolo Roversi to Terence Donovan to Patrick Demarchelier to Annie Leibovitz, some of the most renowned photographers in the world have infused their own unique avant-garde style and direction into their work. Whether it was Sarah Moon’s groundbreaking 1972 edition that established her as the first female photographer for the group, or Mert and Marcus’ provocative take on beauty featuring models like Kate Moss and Gisele Bündchen in their 2006 edition, each Calendar has served as a powerful tool for societal reflection and progress.

As Prince developed his approach, he reflected on his childhood perception of each creative individual. His aim was to capture their lasting impact and demonstrate the interconnectedness between them. He also wanted to convey the message, “I may be the first, but I will not be the last,” to encapsulate the notion of timelessness.

“Recall the initial instance in which you were introduced to the name Naomi Campbell. Remember and perceive it as it was, without altering it. It must be genuine,” Prince explained to me. “However, since you want to construct a fantastical world, you must ensure that it stems from your childhood memories, as I still feel like a child. Everything is like a playground to me, and in bringing these individuals together and designing distinctive settings for them, I had to tap into my inner child once again.”

“They established a template for you to adhere to,” he added.

Prince acknowledged that he had been impacted by various trailblazers throughout his career, but his creative journey was largely predetermined even before he discovered his niche. Coming from a family of musicians and with a grandfather who was a renowned traditional pop artist, art was deeply ingrained in Prince’s upbringing. Despite this, he also had a unique connection with color that he had cultivated on his own.

When he was young, the artist from Ghana discovered that his perception of senses was unique compared to others. He was diagnosed with synesthesia at an early age, which means his brain processes sensory information in unconventional ways. For him, Tuesday holds a different significance beyond being the second day of the week. The number four has a deeper meaning than just a numerical value. Even the letter “P” holds more significance than just being the first letter of his name. To him, everything is associated with a specific color or tone, and this remains true even now.

Prince is a highly respected and renowned photographer known for his unique style influenced by his background in painting and his vivid imagination. He often captures a subject or landscape through a kaleidoscopic lens, creating an organic and animated effect, as seen in his Calendar.

Based on her page, it seems like Angela Bassett has been transported to another world or is stuck in a flat, two-dimensional world. In the photo, the Black Panther actress holds a large gold key, similar to the one featured on the cover with “young Prince.” Behind her are two large doors that lead to a yellow abyss. She appears as a conqueror, standing barefoot in rippling water surrounded by cracked blue and green walls. In Prince’s perspective, Bassett is capable of unlocking mystical perspectives – she is an actress, but also a valuable treasure.

Jeymes Samuel’s photo was taken in front of a glowing landscape, as he sat in a pink chair and looked through adjustable lenses. The producer wore a bold ruby red suit with a yellow collared undershirt, and his tie was replaced by the long blue leg of his contraption. Samuel is like a mad scientist, sharing new and innovative projects with the world. However, he doesn’t see himself as the crazed innovator that Prince sees.

“He perceives me as a forward-thinker. Therefore, I am akin to a researcher. Interestingly, many individuals view me as a crazed scientist,” the songwriter expressed. “Personally, I believe the entire world is insane and I am the only rational one.”

Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of Hidden Figures, was paired with Amanda Gorman for the Calendar. The two women donned voluptuous feathered gowns. Their hue was a mustard yellow, embellished by hot pink and royal blue. Gorman was up on a ladder to the right of Shetterly. Behind them was a big board with equations for speed, power, and time written across. Gorman and Shetterly were educators, writers with influential prowess, technique, curiosity, and a burning desire to uncover the truth.

Shetterly shared with me her admiration for Prince’s photography in creating this Calendar, noting how he seamlessly combines two elements. His distinct perspective on blackness, African culture, and African American identity is evident in his work, yet it also has a transcendent quality. The images are universally appealing, easily relatable, and visually captivating, drawing viewers in with their vibrant colors and subjects.

“He has crafted a unique and transcendent world that captures the essence of what you must achieve to create something relevant and appealing,” Shetterly explained.

As much as Prince’s Pirelli Calendar broadened the scope of storytelling in art and paid homage to the major creators that effect change, the 50th edition was an ode to a group of designers who also appeared unafraid to reshape norms. Stylist Ola-Oluwa Ebiti, whose career progressed in 2018 when there was a focus shift in fashion to West Africa and subsequent African style codes, wanted to feature independent London-based designers with pieces that formed recherché imagery. Selecting runway or archive looks from the major fashion houses wasn’t of interest to Ebiti.

“I wanted to showcase the designers as a tribute to young individuals from abroad,” Ebiti expressed. “London is a city full of excitement, with people from various backgrounds and parts of the world coming here to study or start a new life. They bring their unique experiences and perspectives to their creations in London.”

Similar to how Prince’s photographs have a fine art component, the designers Ebiti chose – like Asai Takeaway and Darcey Fleming – sketched and sewed pieces that appeared more like abstract sculptures. Fleming’s bouncy feather garments, worn by Shetterly and Gorman, added contradiction with their natural material (dead hay), but eccentric structure. Meanwhile, Bradley Sharpe, who designed Naomi Campbell’s outfit, plays with silhouttes using abnormal style adornments like stiff, circular waistbands and ballooned head pieces.

Ebiti observed that she had examined the works of various emerging designers in London and their current perspectives. She then combined them to create a cohesive narrative that aligned with the designer’s vision and the message conveyed by their designs.

“I was very careful with the styles and shapes I chose, making sure they were not too trendy or youthful. They were all timeless, so that even in 10, 20, or 6 months from now, they would still be visually appealing.”

Prince’s intention with his Calendar was to prompt viewers to contemplate the lasting importance of community, power, and tranquility. However, his creation of the Pirelli Calendar has exceeded this goal, inspiring those he has admired for a long time to acknowledge their own impact and unique abilities.

“I believe that true diversity, inclusion, and tolerance among people is still a long journey ahead of us. However, I see the 2024 Pirelli Calendar as a significant step forward in terms of artistic expression,” Samuel admitted.

The article can be found on the Independent’s website.

The Independent’s website is where the article can be accessed.