Art & Soul: Stars Unite to Celebrate and Support the Arts [Hardcover]

Robin Bronk (Editor), Brian Smith (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2011

Art & Soul is a large-format glossy coffee-table book, featuring intimate portraits of celebrities from the entertainment industry including film, television, music and stage. The stunning images, shot by Pulitzer prize-winning photographer Brian Smith, are accompanied by personal testimonials from each artist expressing the importance of the arts in our culture and the positive impact it has on our lives.

The notes - in each artist's own handwriting - range from whimsical to weighty, but all offer insight into the individual's background and how their lives were shaped by art. Celebrities photographed for the book include such luminaries as: Anne Hathaway, Samuel L. Jackson, Adrien Brody, Adrian Grenier, Kelsey Grammer, Joe Mantegna, Alyssa Milano, Harry Belafonte, Amanda Peet, John Turturro, Kerry Washington, Zooey Deschanel and many more.

The book is created in partnership with The Creative Coalition, the premier public advocacy charity, founded by prominent figures in the entertainment industry. It is an important part of a campaign to focus national attention on the need to ensure that arts in America thrive and flourish.

A terrific gift, Art & Soul also helps to support the arts, inspiring future generations of creative artists and improving our lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"So giant-size big...the book needs a grand piano, not a coffee table on which to rest."
-- CINDY ADAMS / PAGE SIX / NEW YORK POST

"When you look through the book, you'll be reminded of why you became a creative artist in the first place...Seeing the magnificent portraits and reading the words of these enormously talented performers can't help but inspire you."
-- CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON / DIGITAL PHOTO PRO


"Some photographs made me do a double take because of how beautiful the shots were. Prints that were so beautiful they may as well have been paintings."
-- SHAMONTIEL VAUGHN / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

"256 pages of exceptionally beautiful portraits...captured against a simple black backdrop so the essence of the subject dominates the photograph. Suggest Art & Soul to portrait photographers and students looking to capture captivating images with simple lighting and a sharp eye."
- INSIDE EDGE MAGAZINE

"Not only will you see fabulous shots of your favorite celebs, but you'll also get to read personal messages from them on the importance of arts education."
-- MELODY NAZARIAN / POPSUGAR / LOS ANGELES

From the Author

After two years and 25,000 photographs, ART & SOUL, produced by The Creative Coalition with the support of Sony, showcases creative artists from film, television, music and stage brought together by The Creative Coalition to voice their support for the arts and arts education. Portraits of 123 celebrities are paired with their handwritten testimonials about the importance of the arts. ART & SOUL is a wonderful way to support the arts. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the book go to support the arts advocacy programs of The Creative Coalition, the premiere nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Making it a wonderful way for those lucky enough to make a living from the arts to have an opportunity to show support and give back

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Filipacchi Publishing; First Edition edition (October 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936297469
• ISBN-13: 978-1936297467
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 1.1 x 13 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb and important collection of captivating images, heartfelt messages November 11, 2011

By Perry Beeman

Format:Hardcover

What a great idea to pair famous actors' and musicians' handwritten messages in support of the arts with compelling portraits by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Brian Smith. The messages run from funny to completely serious, all of them making the point that the arts aren't a luxury in a developed society. They are essential. Smith's photos run the gamut from simple, elegant images to fun, sometimes funny, frames that capture the playful side of actors and musicians.
In opening notes, Smith offers a bonus: liner notes of sorts about experiences the veteran portrait photographer of the stars had with the famous and the harried. "Frasier" and "Cheers" veteran Kelsey Grammer tried to slink out of the photo session after 12 frames. Smith coyly said that was fine, but that Grammer's "Frasier" colleague David Hyde Pierce had offered more time. Grammer stayed, sheepish, competitive grin and all.
Many of the handwritten messages from the stars recall early influences that molded their experience. They paint the arts as life-sustaining. But they try not to take it all too seriously. "Art is fart with out the 'f'," one star notes.
Smith's stellar images -- all wonders of lighting, mood and makeup -- tell a lot of stories. They note that some stars are uncanny in their ability to remain beautiful: actors Cheryl Hines andArt & Soul: Stars Unite to Celebrate and Support the Arts Lynn Whitfield, trumpeter Chris Botti, dancing actor Ben Vereen, actor Alfre Woodard. They show the playfulness exhibited by both the stars and Smith, who long ago flawlessly morphed from daily news photographer to world-class portrait creator.... Actor Ellen Hollman hams it up in one of the books' several collections of candids, like a teen in one of those drug-store photo booths. Actor Dule Hill appears to be screaming through his hands, perhaps his closing message: "Thank God 4 the Arts!" Actor Corey Reynolds blows his thumb, appearing to inflate his hand. Actor Jason Acuna flashes some bicep while displaying a whole lot of ink.
This is a book that comes off like a two-fer. The messages are compelling, especially because they are in the personal handwriting of the artists. Each image shows the care that has sustained Smith in a 30-year career that spanned wire services, the Orange County Register, the Miami Herald and in recent years globe-trotting assignments that have involved stars from Donald Trump to Shakira. It's the kind of book that will spark many living-room discussions, at the same time offering fun, promise and hope. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful purpose and wonderful book of portraits November 6, 2011

By Eric Muetterties

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Being a photographer myself I totally appreciate work like this. I rarely buy books of photography, but I am glad I bought this one. I had the opportunity to meet Brian recently at a workshop in SF and he is also a great teacher and person. It is great to see someone giving back like this. This is truly a great work of photography that means much more to me because I met the author briefly and found him to be a genuine person. People love to pick it up and spend what time they have looking through it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The talk was a great as the book's concept & imagery October 21, 2011

By Inner

Format:Hardcover

Checked out Brian Smith's speaking engagement for his book "Art & Soul" last night @ Books & Books in Coral Gables, and the stories he related regarding, concept , technique and simple good fortune were as great as not only the book's imagery, but also its concept! LOVED the fact subjects were asked to put writing instrument to paper after their shoot and relate what ART means to them!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Inspiring May 17, 2012

By Jason M. Grow

Format:Hardcover

Art & Soul is a beautiful convergence of gorgeous photography, intriguing artists and their messages about why art is such an important life force. Brian Smith managed to evoke something special from each and every artist he photographed, something not easily done on such a grand scale. The messages from the artists are funny, poignant and often surprising.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Join the Banquet May 5, 2012

By Ruby Batchelor

Format:Hardcover

It's difficult to say what's most powerful about "Art & Soul." The remarkable portraits by Brian Smith? The funny, fervent & sometimes sweetly confessional comments about the role that art has played, & continues to play, in the lives of Smith's famous subjects? Or the cause behind the book itself- the need to support & fund the arts when so many consider them frivolous, a waste of time & money, or simply unnecessary? It's not surprising that the words that stars, ranging from the luminous Anne Hathaway to the legendary Harry Belefonte, call upon most to describe the impact & importance of art are "love", "connection", "inspiration," & more than a few allusions to art as a life raft of sorts. All of the aspects of art that compel the use of these terms are evident in the book. You'll find, beauty, intellect, humor, vulnerability, strength & a mirror of universality that may, in fact, be the most powerful aspect of art, in its pages. As Matthew Modine says of art, "you can't eat it- yet it feeds us..." If this is true, & I believe it is, "Art & Soul" is a feast.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must See! May 3, 2012

By Lgiles

Format:Hardcover

I love this book! The arts should be supported in every possible way. This book contains some of the best photographs I've seen. It lets you see inside the artist and it gives you a chance to see some of their reasons to love the arts! Great Book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly soulful work of art January 1, 2012

By Anthony D. Gale

Format:Hardcover

Art & Soul really is a beautiful book. The very consistent look and feel of the photographs allow the subjects personalities to really shine through. We are not distracted by elaborate sets and styling in the service of a new movie, tv show or album. Instead it is about the artist alone. In a wonderful addition the page adjacent to each portrait has that persons idea of what art means to them in their own hand. It is a very clever and quite insightful idea, and a wonderful execution of that idea.

In a time when arts funding is rapidly shrinking from all walks of life, this book is resounding clarion call for people to stand up and support the arts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational for All Artists and Especially Photographers October 20, 2011

By Derrick Story

Format:Hardcover

The first time I saw Brian Smith shoot, I realized how he makes those compelling portraits. Brian is like a sculptor. And with his camera he chips away all distracting elements until he discovers the essence of his subject.

You can experience this for yourself by getting your hands on a copy of Art & Soul, a stunning collection of portraits and thoughts by well-known actors, musicians, and filmmakers. Brian teamed up with editor Robin Bronk to portray the thoughts and images of dozens of stars sharing their views on the importance of art. The book was created in partnership with the Creative Coalition, and a portion of the proceeds will support their nonprofit programs.

I recommend it not only for all portrait photographers, but for anyone who loves the arts and admires those who create it. Art & Soul is inspiritional reading. You may want to buy two copies: one for the artist in your life, and the other for you.