In Mark Seliger´s Stairwell

PBS’s PAT MITCHELL talks about the dangers of corporate control of the media

INTERVIEW BY Chris Murray
PHOTOS BY Mark Seliger

Legendary Rolling Stone photographer Mark Seliger’s stairwell may not look like much, but in his new book In My Stairwell released in October, Seliger highlights the personalities of many acclaimed artists who give life to this intimate spot. This month, Govinda Gallery in Georgetown will exhibit many of the 75 photographs taken for the book, which includes portraits of Paul McCartney, Susan Sarandon, Tom Wolfe and Lou Reed, among others. Gallery owner, Chris Murray, sat down with Seliger to discuss photographing these legends and the unique process he issues to capture his subjects. The In My Stairwell exhibit will run until early January.

MUHAMMAD ALI AND MICHAEL J FOX “It was important to show what Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox have in common. The concept for the photo was to have Ali, the greatest fighter in the world, training Michael, who is not exactly the biggest fighter in the world. But Michael is a real fighter in another sense and his strength is an example for so many people. Ali is also an inspiration in various ways, from his involvement in civil rights and humanitarian issues to his legacy as an athlete.”

LIAM NEESON “Liam came to my main studio originally for a shoot for British Vogue, after which we went to the stairwell and shot this picture in only five minutes. For Liam the process is all very focused, almost cautious. Once he finds where he’s going, he holds it. His movements are very subtle…quiet moments that just sort of shift. There’s a confidence. Liam knows who he is and how to find that in himself. It was a good shoot in that respect. He was also pretty excited since he just gotten a big role that he really wanted in a [Steven] Spielberg film.”

PAUL MCCARTNEY “Paul was a saint…he could not have been more generous and lovely. He was engaging, laughing, fun, and youthful in every way. It was an honor to have him there and to work with him.”

CINDY SHERMAN “I have always been intrigued and inspired by her work. We tried to focus on Cindy’s concept of the self-portrait…as if we were voyeurs into that world. This photo also pays homage to her own body of work.”	LUCIANO PAVAROTTI “During the shoot, I could tell when he found what he wanted to do which was to assume the portrait of performer. We intentionally slowed the shutter down so that there was a little bit of movement to it. His features are so theatrical that the entire composition seemed special to us. Pavarotti makes everybody in the room feel that there’s a fantastic moment at hand.”

MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV “At first he wanted to do a portrait, but I proposed that he utilize the stairwell as a stage and to engage physically in the photograph. Standing in front of the mirror like a dancer would, he pondered a bit about what he wanted to do. As we started taking pictures, his body unfolded and his movements were beautiful.”	RAVI SHANKAR “Ravi played his sitar for us for half an hour. Ravi is truly an innovator and has been a phenomenal contribution to world music. He has shown so many musicians what can be done. This portrait was an integral turning point in the evolution of this project.”