Morphing John Malkovich
Photographer Sandro Miller first met the actor John Malkovich in the late 1990s, producing a high-octane creative collaboration that has lasted 17 years. Their most recent endeavor has Malkovich morphing into the famous people -- including Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep, Ernest Hemingway and Albert Einstein -- in legendary photos by the likes of Annie Liebovitz, Diane Arbus and Bert Stern, among others, for "Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters."
A double-take is necessary to realize the images are not the originals, which is what makes them so fantastically successful and eye-catching.
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Miller says of Malkovich, "He has such a high level of self-confidence, which was important if I was going to ask him to do Marilyn Monroe. " Malkovich jumped in wholeheartedly with the makeup, particularly the lipstick.
Real hair, handwoven was use for the the wig.
Andy Warhol / Green Marilyn (1962), 2014
CBSNews.com Senior Photo Editor Radhika Chalasani
Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich
Sandro Miller was recently recognized as the 2015 International Photographer of the Year by the International Photography Awards for this dramatic series of portraits.
The iconic images recreated by Miller and Malkovich pay homage to the photographers who most impacted Miller as an artist.
The friendship between the two men has spanned 17 years, with Miller having taken close to 130 portraits of the actor.
Albert Watson / Alfred Hitchcock with Goose (1973), 2014
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"John is the most brilliant, prolific person I know. His genius is unparalleled," raves Miller in describing his "chameleon-like" ability as an actor.
Miller goes on to describe Malkovich as "this beautiful white canvas that walks into my studio and says paint on me, do what you're are dying to do."
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Andy Warhol / Self Portrait (Fright Wig) (1986), 2014
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The photo taken by Irving Penn of Pablo Picasso is one that has particular significance for Miller. In his youth, coming across the photograph was a turning point in his life and made him want to create equally powerful, emotionally rich portraits.
Irving Penn / Pablo Picasso, Cannes, France (1957), 2014
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Miller on Malkovich: "He's never said no. He is so open to my ideas. He's just given so much of his time and his talent."
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Annie Leibovitz / Meryl Streep, New York City (1981), 2014
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The entire project took over a year of meticulous research. Wardrobe, styling, lighting, hairpieces, every detail was dissected and produced for the shoots.
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Arthur Sasse / Albert Einstein Sticking Out His Tongue (1951), 2014
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It's almost impossible to recognize Malkovich in any of the images with him having taken on the character, emotion and personality of the people in the original photographs so completely.
Even Malkovich's own wife didn't recognize her own husband in the photos.
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Diane Arbus / A Young Man in Curlers at Home on West 20th Street, N.Y.C (1966), 2014
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Bert Stern / Marilyn in Pink Roses (from The Last Session) (1962), 2014
The photo is imbued by Malkovich with Marilyn Monroe's sensuality.
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Miller said the "Migrant Mother" was the most difficult recreation to make. It was a true iconic representation of the Great Depression and therefore part of of American history. The photographer has an original print of Lange's hanging in his house.
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Dorothea Lange / Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California (1936), 2014
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Like all the photographs produced by Miller, every aspect of Diane Arbus' famous portrait of "Identical Twins" was examined to be recreated. A seamstress was hired to make exact copies of the dresses.
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Diane Arbus / Identical Twins, Roselle, New Jersey (1967), 2014
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"There is a big statement being said through Gordon Park's camera, and I knew I was taking a little bit of a risk recreating that shot," Miller explains.
Because Parks' photo has so much meaning for the African American community he was questioned about his intent in making his version and makes sure people understand how much he respects the original work.
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Gordon Parks / American Gothic, Washington, D.C. (1942), 2014
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Miller describes the original photograph by Richard Avedon as "one of the most powerful portraits taken by any photographer, " adding it made his "heart pump."
To recreate the photo they worked with dormant bees... too dangerous to work with lives ones they decided.
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Richard Avedon / Ronald Fischer, Beekeeper, Davis, California, May 9 (1981), 2014
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This is one of the first photographs Miller made with Malkovich in their creative brainstorming sessions that was impetuous for this series.
Miller said, "he dipped his head down and he just became Truman Capote."
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Irving Penn / Truman Capote, New York (1948), 2014
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Eikoh Hosoe / Man and Woman #6 (1960), 2014
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Gordon Parks / American Gothic, Washington, D.C. (1942), 2014
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Philippe Halsman / Salvador Dalí (1954), 2014
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Yousuf Karsh / Ernest Hemingway (1957), 2014
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Carl Fischer / Muhammad Ali, New York (1967), 2014
Miller's work is represented by the Catherine Edelman Gallery.
The Malkovich series is on view in the following locations: University of Wyoming Art Museum - currently on view through December 19, 2015
Camerlmage Film Festival in Poland - November 14 - January 2016
Interview by Catherine Edelman