‘Free Spirit’ – Review of Stefan Rappo's new book

It's evening in Paris. I'm sitting in a small bistro in the 11th arrondissement with photographer Stefan Rappo and artist Emilie Payet. Both are well known in the world of photography. Stefan Rappo is a successful commercial photographer with his own artistic projects and was Peter Lindbergh's first assistant for many years. Musician Emilie Payet, one of photographer Marc Lagrange's favourite models, has appeared on the covers of magnificent photo books. We are talking about Stefan Rappo's new photo book, ‘Free Spirit’.

With ‘Free Spirit’, I am holding a Swiss-bound book in my hands. 160 pages, matte cover, a pleasure to hold. Leafing through it, I realise that this book is more than a collection of aesthetically staged photographs. It is an artistic manifesto, a visual and literary homage to freedom, individuality and creative collaboration. The protagonists – Emilie Payet, Tezz Tran and Marisa Papen – are not just models in front of the camera. They write, compose, play music and paint. Or, like Marisa Papen, they are activists. All in all, they are creative minds with an alert view of the world.

It quickly becomes clear that Stefan Rappo could hardly have found better protagonists for this project. When he talks about collaboration, he means it so seriously in this case that he has given the three protagonists of this book many opportunities to contribute to the content and design. The book contains texts and poems by the three women that provide intimate insights into their thoughts – sometimes poetic, sometimes political, sometimes provocative. The models have also given each picture a title. Emilie Payet has additionally contributed a painting and a composition, which will also be featured on her next music album.

Stefan Rappo is interested in the people he works with and wants to understand them. Emotions in his pictures are more important to him than sensationalism. His attitude can be felt in every glance of the women portrayed in the book. They show themselves naked, vulnerable, strong, playful, loud, quiet. But never exposed. What at first glance may appear to be classic nude photography turns out, on closer inspection, to be a deeply felt narrative about self-determination, authenticity and the power of individuality. Nothing seems staged, and yet everything is imbued with a strong aesthetic sensibility.

The message of the book? Freedom! Not just the individual freedom to show oneself as one is. But also freedom in the creative process, freedom of expression and, in general, the acceptance of diverse opinions. Especially at a time when societies are becoming increasingly polarised, this attitude is more relevant than ever.

The publication of the book is currently accompanied by an exhibition at the Spazio Minimi gallery in Brussels.

Conclusion: ‘Free Spirit’ is a book that you don't just look at, you experience it – with your eyes, your heart and your mind. A manifesto for the power of freedom and artistic coexistence.

Book: Free Spirit, 160 pages, Swiss brochure with three different cover designs, 24.5 x 30 cm. Artist: Stefan Rappo, contributors: Emilie Payet, Marisa Papen, Tezz Tran.

Order: shop.stefan-rappo.com

The book is available in three cover designs. From left to right: Emilie Payet, Marisa Papen and Tezz Tran. All images (including those above): © Stefan Rappo