Roy Stuart, Vol. 4: The Fourth Body (Book & DVD) Hardcover – September 23, 2004

"Roy Stuart: The Fourth Body," by Roy Stuart, Koln, Taschen Books & DVD, 2004 - ISBN 3-82282557-3 (hc), 280 p. mostly full page semi-gloss color photos and a sprinkle of B/W photos. There are 8 textual pages with a useful introductory prologue and interview by Dian Hanson -- additional textual material is minimal and it references Stuart's 1st film "The Lost Door" just released, and the author states future works will be confined to cine.Thus, Stuart claims this as his last book, one that is preceded by 3 prior volumes using a similar large format to feature erotic photography which some will decry as out and out pornography, and is the first to include a DVD. Those familiar with Stuart's work will find this 4th volume on the cutting edge and pushing the barriers of erotic art in the same manner as were attempts at space exploration in breaking the sound barrier or taking the first setp on the Moon. It may particularly irritate, offend and infuriate those of the western cultures (Judeo-Christian) whose religious organizations' persuasions will allow many of them to be excessively troubled and deploring of Stuart's brash, boldly explicit and colorful eroticizations. The interview by Dian is illuminative and should be read by readers & viewers of Stuarts's "....Fourth Body" where the term fourth body does not indicate nor refer to volume #4, but references a sphere of centralian existence transcending carnal, natural body and mind to true consciousness (existentialism).Stuart dislikes the artificiality of modern day glamour, erotic and overtly pornographic art which is devoted to and depicts women lacking bodily hair (pubo-axillary & extremities) and often sans eroticism as not better than wholesale pornography at its worst: he believies this can be attributed at least in part to a giving in to contrived societal pressures imposed by the bath and beauty establishment whose mission is to sell razors, chemicals and depilatory cremes, etc.People (woman) then become the objects depicted by advertisers and advertisements -- they are transformed into who the corporate world portrays they should be (its all about money).Some appreciation might be found in making interpretations between aesthetic and erotic art forms and why one form over another? This book does lower the perceived societal bar on the level of what the western world culture accepts as "erotic" art. I would place it in the same general category of books as "Forbidden Erotica: The Rottenberg Collection, ISBN 3-8228-6413-7 (Taschen). See my review of that book I termed as 'para-erotic." I found Stuart's book of photographs and textual material enticing but provocative and I would recommend it for those whose western cultural aesthetic values are not easily demolished. It is not a book to embellish our coffee tables, but one better placed on the library shelf at the height of puberty plus one inch. Great price too.

Good book. Thanks.

As good as his other work

Beautifully shot, unusual subject material! Shows that erotic can also be stylish. DVD with it very dull though.

Liked it

If porn icon Larry Flynt ever became the editor of a high-end fashion magazine like Vogue, this is the kind of material that he'd put out, undoubtedly to the outrage of many, and squeals of delight to some. What photographer Roy Stuart has created here is a glossy synthesis of glamour, beauty, and fashion photography ... with sex. And I mean SEX - groping, sucking, and full fledged intercourse. And the result is absolutely AWESOME! This is something we've never seen before. One only has to imagine if all those beautiful, perfect people we see in sexy magazine and billboard advertisements, went just a bit further than what we see in the final, sanitized versions of their photosets. This is what they'd see!Masterful lighting, brilliant staging, and gorgeous fashion models that look like they stepped off the catwalk in Milan or Paris, all combine to make this one of the most visionary and erotic publications to come out in years. Already an accomplished art photographer, Roy Stuart has topped even himself here.

Each time I look through one of the books by Roy Stuart I am again impressed not only by his creative, original style but also by his highly tuned photographic skills. Look at the artistic skills and perfection behind the work - the lighting, posing, angles, graphics, beauty, comedy, motion, sensuality, eroticism, raw sex - it's all there in each Roy Stuart volume, and even more so in THE FOURTH BODY. Roy Stuart is a genius, and like most great artists, he's got a subversive quirky side which he's bold enough to reveal in many images, in all their artistic and sometimes depraved glory. A society is often defined by the peripheral elements it finds acceptable, and Roy Stuart is not afraid to dance on that periphery, to push the limits, to take the necessary risks that enlarge our horizons. It's inspiring. The FOURTH BODY is a must-have volume. In fact, don't miss any of his other TASCHEN books.

Before I even knew Roy Stuart's name I was drawn to his photographs. Look through a magazine that has one his layouts in it and you know what I mean. Images so real they're magical. This book is a collection of some of his more daring photos, for those of you that think women should look like living Barbies you may be unhappy. If you love true beauty than this is for you. Roy was very smart by adding a DVD to the book for two reasons 1: It's wonderful 2: Now I need to send him a whole lot more money so I can get the rest of his Glimpse videos. If this is your first Stuart book, let me tell you to just order all four right now you will not regret it.