Fay [Hardcover]

William Wegman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 24, 1999

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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

From Publishers Weekly

Just when Wegman seems to have stretched his weimaraner art pretty thinAwhat with his Fay's Fairy Tales series and concept books published for young readers, videos and merchandiseAcomes a disarming book to remind everyone of the wit and offhand originality that put Wegman on the map in the first place. This chronicle of his famous dog Fay Ray, who died in 1995, is also an exploration of the art she inspired, not only specific photographs but motifs, themes and techniques that he developed in working with her. It is also almost always funny, as Wegman manages to convey his love for his dogs and his work without ever taking himself too seriously or falling into jargon. When two of her puppies joined Fay in the studio, for example, Fay "added stern to her portfolio of manners. Greta Garbo cross-fading with Joan Crawford." Readers don't need to have dogs to understand and appreciate his handling of Fay: "[Dogs] will go along with just about anything you do as long as it keeps them in the game," he explains. Technical discussions stay light and pertinent; trained as a painter, Wegman identifies himself as "a resident alien in the world of photography," and he retains an outsider's ability to characterize his observations simply. The generous supply of color photographs and stills attracts the reader's attention; the deadpan intelligence of the text holds it. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; First Edition edition (November 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786864869
• ISBN-13: 978-0786864867
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #602,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful tribute to Fay by a very gentle photographer, December 2, 1999

By 

Pam Kanopkin (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fay (Hardcover)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great breed!, November 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fay (Hardcover)

William Wegman's love affair with the Weimaraner began about the same time as our family's in 1970. So far we have had seven Weimaraners--all of whom we have loved dearly. That Mr. Wegman loves his dogs (after all, they have brought him his millions!) is very clear. The photos of the dogs and the heart-felt biography of Fay will delight all passionate dog lovers. Weims have been called the dog with the human brain. They are indeed very intelligent and sensitive--as well as beautiful. I wish Mr. Wegman would include a full-page appendix on the breed describing the dogs' pros and cons. It should be stated up front that they are not a beginner's dog, and they are VERY high energy. They can also be very barky, destructive and, well, goofy. Any breed has pros and cons (we also have a 7 y.o. Chihuahua--we have had Chihuahuas since 1961), and the true breed nature does not come across in the book--the breed comes across as docile and very laid-back. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our two Weims--both rescues--were given up because they were too high energy. Heck--they are hunting dogs, after all! As for this latest book, we rushed out and bought it as soon as it was available! The pictures--insightful, hilarious and downright beautiful--are delightful and show man's best friend at his (her?) best. I recommend this book to all dog lovers, not just the art aficionados.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL and TOUCHING, December 27, 1999

By 

Dana Thompson (ND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fay (Hardcover)

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.