Matthias Straub – författare

Entitled Mythos, the 13th edition of THE OPÉRA Magazine for Classic & Contemporary Nude Photography celebrates the naked body as a symbol of truth, vulnerability and divine beauty. Inspired by ancient myths in which gods and humans dwell side by side, this issue combines art, philosophy, and photography to create a poetic tale of body, soul, and origins. International photographers depict the human body as a mirror of age-old desires and modern identity—sensual, timeless, profound. Mythos conceives of nudity not as a provocation, but as a revelation; as an expression of purity and inner truth. Each image echoes mythical stories of love, power, transformation, and creation. It is a unique collector’s piece that unites beauty, aesthetics and mysticism in new harmony.Artists: Alessandro Casagrande, Alwin Maigler, Anastasia Mihaylova, Anne Nobels, Anne-Marie Kloss, Arne Grashoff, Ayline Olukman, Bruno Clement, Brut de Peaux, Daria Gaiduk, Emanuelle Morose, James Hensby, Katja Heinemann, Lisa Lind, Malcom Sinclair Lobban, Maria Knofe, Milena Schilling, Nananano, Nanda Hagenaars, Nastya Spacey, Neeltje de Vries, Nina Claudia Lucie, SMPH (Stefan Milev & Phil Hoffmann).

Those in search for the essence of humanity will discover beauty and ugliness, light and shadow on their way towards it. For the eighth time,The Opéra sets out to present the human body as it was created or independently formed and shaped. In their diverse works, numerous photographers from all over the world once more share the same curiosity to explore human emotions. All of them, some reluctant and observing, others delightedly engaged and orchestrated, act out the great spectacle that is human existence.

Since the founding of The Opéra – Magazine for Contemporary Nude Photography in 2012, a new issue with works by more than 30 photographers per magazine has been produced each year under the creative direction of changing designers. The most beautiful series from 10 issues are now being published for the first time and in a new layout within part new motifs in a unique omnibus volume. The dedication of each artist is also honoured in a personal text contribution.Artists: Evelyn Bencicova, Rachel de Joode, Henny de la Motte, Fabien Dettori, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Thomas Hauser, Bart Hess, Petrina Hicks, Mayumi Hosokura, David PD Hyde, Maciek Jasik, Nadav Kander, Mona Kuhn, Joanne Leah, Kenny Lemes, Julia Luzina, Ed Maximus, Stefan Milev, Thomas Sing, Laura Stevens, Erika Svensson, Marc van Dalen, Sean Patrick Watters, Roger Weiss, Milena Wojhan, Bastiaan Woudt, Daisuke Yokota, Lin Zhipeng.

Following ten regular issues and the special Anniversary Issue (2022), The Opéra Magazine for Classic & Contemporary Nude Photography – rising like a phoenix from the ashes – will feature a completely new layout and a contemporary design concept courtesy of renowned design agency Studio Tillack Knöll. With outstanding contributions from the likes of Malerie Marder, Barbara Probst, Rob Woodcox, Iness Rychlik, as well as Prue Stent & Honey Long, The Opéra showcases work at the forefront of international, artistic nude photography. Once again, the focus is on a predominantly female perspective on the human body, authentically and vividly manifested in The Phoenix Issue through the work and accompanying statements by numerous female photographic artists.

ÆTHERUM—as if fuelled by the divine energy of the ether, the current edition of The Opéra paves the way to the secret thoughts, desires, and dreams that lie dormant within every human body. In this kaleidoscope of sensuality, the nudes transcend the human body as a physical shell and tell stories of vulnerability and intimacy, but also of self-empowerment, strength, and beauty.ÆTHERUM brings together work by established photographic artists and up-and-coming talents. Once again, the specific female perspective on the human body has been accorded just as much importance as a nuanced portrayal that couldn’t be further from common stereotypes.

The magazine for classic and contemporary nude photography returns with a vibrant compilation of the most beautiful works from the field of the most intimate form of portrait photography. In selecting the works, it was important to the editor Matthias Straub to curate a bridge between the traditional approach to the human body and new, unusual perspectives. In the current edition, there are therefore both abstract works and also very classical nude studies. The familiar structuring of the magazine into the five acts of the opera, according to Gustav Freytag, guides viewers through the photos selected as a content-related leitmotiv.