By now, we’ve all see the “first slumber” image from Kanye West’s “Famous” video. But here’s a little 411 of where the idea came from.
You may remember, back in March 2015, Kanye West curated art works for Carine Roitfeld’s fashion magazine CR Fashion Book inspired by the publication’s “jolie laide” theme – a celebration of unconventional beauty.
“I am moved by visions that feel very physical, very aggressive—where the body is molded and shaped, twisted, and beaten into existence,” Kanye told CR Fashion Book. “Within these works, I locate my affinity for—or maybe my addiction to—the body.”
The visual for “Famous,” seems to explore that same obsession.
The video opens with a camera passing over the nude, wax bodies of famous celebrities crowded onto a massive bed covered in white sheets. Taylor Swift. Donald Trump. Anna Wintour. Chris Brown. Rihanna (whose vocals are featured on the song). Kanye. Kim Kardashian. Bill Cosby. Caitlyn Jenner. George Bush. Amber Rose. Ray J.
The image was inspired by American realist Vincent Desiderio’s “Sleep.” Desiderio’s painting—an ambitious work, eight-feet high and 24-feet long—portrays the naked bodies of 12 anonymous people lying on a bed asleep, or unconscious.
Kanye also seems to take inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” which depicts 12 of Jesus’s most trusted disciples seated at one table.
However you interpret it, there’s no denying that we’re all talking.
Leave a Reply