Kalmus Krocil
Kalmus Krocil are a figurative analogue photographic duo consisting of photographer Tomas Kalmus and former ballet dancer Richard Krocil. The duo have been published by Les Hommes Publics, Pineapple Zine, and Kaltblut publications. Tomas Kalmus has had a background in photography since 2007 and Richard Krocil was a ballet dancer at Janáček Conservatory in Czech Republic during the 1990’s. They describe their photography as a slow process with highly choreographed staged scenes, sometimes with props, and a selective process to choose the right model, combined with scoping out perfect locations for their subject matter.
Using analogue format photography as well as silver and platinum printing, Kalmus Krocil built a dark room in their own home. Their dedication to their craft goes beyond equipment as they are actively experimenting with processes such as gum bichromate alternatives and color carbon transfer. The focus of their work remains on the aesthetic of the male form and expressing the essence of masculinity. Most figurative artists reflect their focus on the female form, so finding artists who specialize on the male form could be described as somewhat rare. However, the ‘how’ remains more relevant than the ‘what’ in Kalmus Krocil work as they accentuate masculinity with classical, urban, and tribal themes.
The two series which could strike the viewer as most notable would be Kalmus Krocil’s Titan and Champion series. These particular series touch upon themes of Greek mythology, history, and notions of classism. The duo takes the contemporary man and portrays him through iconic depictions of poses upon a marble pedestal as if he were a living statue, followed by New Wave retro colors in the background. In the Titan series, Kalmus Krocil interprets how man wishes to emulate gods by interacting with large slabs of rock, as if commanding the earth to be bound to his will. Like Heracles and Achilles, men who believe they are descended from gods think they can achieve the impossible and bask in victory and glory to be echoed throughout the ages. The photography accentuates these sentiments through carefully flexed muscles and distinct masculine posture which makes the male figure a conduit and perhaps even a representation of the gods themselves.
Titan # 11(pictured above) remains part of a duo of photographs depicting a strong able-bodied man pushing a gigantic boulder with his shoulders. If you look carefully enough, you may see the sweat gleaming off his skin, emanating a sense of authenticity to the performative piece. The small scale of the man against the giant rock conveys a concept of which no obstacle remains impossible for man. For the particular depiction, the figure appears to be beyond the realm of gods and directly ascended from the titans (as the title suggests), perhaps by the great Kronos or Atlas themselves. Atlas was specifically known as the titan who was holding the weight of the world on his shoulders, an entity of such immense power and strength emulated through the pushing or holding of the rock in the Titan series.
Kalmus Krocil create rich photography steeped in describing the essence of masculinity and male form through conceptual poses and fine craftsmanship. These intricate photographs express a sense of confidence and joy of being a man while embracing the adventurism of harsh, barren landscapes of the open unknown. The urban photography with motorcycles equally emits a sense of industrialization and mechanics associated with the machine-like quality of masculine muscular structure.
