In October 2020, C41 opened a new chapter of editorial research through a project under the name of C41 Editions. C41 Editions is a collection of in-depth books that does what C41 does best: tell extraordinary stories. The first C41 Edition featured Ugo La Pietra, one of Italy’s most important architects and designers, as well as a leading figure in the academic world. For the second issue, the research focused on a character very close to the reality of C41: LEONE. This is the second edition of C41 but LEONE’s first photo book, despite his long photography career. A portraitist, often with an ironic touch, fascinated by the world of fashion and travel, he manages to maintain a unique and distinguishable style despite the different fields. He’s remembered not only for the numerous campaigns he has shot for leading brands such as Rayban, Adidas, The North Face, and many others, but also for portraying celebrities such as Noah Carter and Ashley Graham. With this first autobiographical book, LEONE wants to embark on a journey of discovery of him being a photographer and his work, allowing us to get to know him through his many personalities. Through the medium of photography, he thus manages to embark on a witty and sharp narrative path, which can be found on every page of the book.
The second C41 Edition, entitled ‘What would beyonce do?’, is a collection of self-portraits that explore LEONE’s multiple characters. The hardcover is bright orange, with an imprint of a lion drawn by illustrator Thomas Cian. One can find digital shots, snapshots taken with the phone, film shots. The subject intends to tell the story of himself through the many ‘characters’ he plays every day. As LEONE states in the preface, “this is a strongly autobiographical book and that is why I think you will not like it”.
The book is published in a limited edition of 200 copies and has been launched in the creative space Riviera, in Milan, on December 13th. During the event, there was a space dedicated to the consultation and sale of the Edition. The book was also accessible through the print tests that will be hung on the walls, while various copies of the Edition were floating in the white space of Riviera arranged on various industrial brick totems. The event has been accompanied by the music of Andrea Dissimile, who performed live in the LaPalma showroom. For the occasion, a small set has been created with an orange limbo and the graphics of the cover, so that the book could also be experienced through music, allowing it to be experienced at 360 degrees.
The second C41 Edition brings out all the personalities of its protagonist and can tell them with a fresh and innovative slant, reconfirming the visual language as the undeniable communication tool of contemporaneity.
