MICHAEL MULLER
8/24 : Kobe Bryant
August 24, 2020 - September 24, 2020
August 22nd, 2020
Plastic Gallery is pleased to present 8/24: Kobe Bryant by American Artist Michael Muller. A virtual exhibition of never before seen photographs of Kobe Bryant shot by Muller throughout the last decade. Opening August 24, 2020, and on view through September 24, 2020, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the GENESIS organization. This is the first release of Muller’s MAMBA series.
Known for his complex and profound body of work, Muller captures Kobe’s raw emotions as the legendary athlete proudly dawns his Los Angeles Lakers jersey for one of the last times before retirement. For Muller, these photographs embody the icon that is Kobe Bryant. His glare, his fierceness and his competitive spirit are felt by viewers creating an everlasting opportunity to experience Kobe’s greatness through photographs.
This body of work celebrates the power, strength and warmth of Kobe. With images so stunning that when the world heard of Kobe's tragic passing, TIMES magazine selected Muller's Black and White image of Kobe bowing as their commemorative cover. Muller’s The Bow evokes an emotional response and serves for many as Kobe’s last goodbye. Using high contrast black and white photography for his portraitures, Muller captures the essence of number 8/24. Of the series, Michael said, “Kobe was a one-of-a-kind basketball player, a loving father, a thoughtful husband and a dynamic human being that impacted so many lives. It was an honor and a privilege to create art with him.”
Together, Michael Muller and Plastic Gallery will donate a portion of proceeds from all sales to GENESIS. GENESIS provides quality STEAM learning to diverse communities of underserved youth in Los Angeles. GENESIS gives students unprecedented forms of access and opportunity to 21st Century skills, through programs using art and technology to demonstrate critical thinking and creative problem-solving. These tools are the currency for higher education and employment. Muller currently hosts exclusive Virtual Reality (VR) Design Studios, and mentors our students with hands-on experience with GoPro Fusion 360 Cameras and the Oculus Go. Each session utilizes contemporary art techniques and cutting edge fabrication equipment in the Genesis Lab to imagine and build future ocean prototypes and stories.
Born in Newbury Park, California, Muller began his professional photographic career in the 1990s. Muller has since mastered the craft of Filmmaking and Virtual Reality, created the first of 3 films for the Atlanta Aquarium as well as creating 360 content for the United Nations. Muller has circled the globe photographing celebrities, rockstars, superheroes, athletes and in 2007 Muller turned his lens underwater and began photographing sharks as they have never been seen before. Both Michael's commercial assignments and his fine art shots have a unique signature style and his passion for the art of photography can easily be felt by experiencing his work.
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For Inquiries, please contact: hello@plasticgallery.com | (424) 653-3142
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All images are subject to copyright. Gallery approval must be granted prior to reproduction.
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