Allan I. Teger
People often ask me where the idea for my Bodyscapes® originated. I have to confess that it didn't come from an interest in photographing nudes or from studio photography. Self taught as a photographer, I was originally trained as a social psychologist. Bodyscapes® evolved from my study of psychology.
During the 70's I was involved in teaching and academic counseling at the University of Pennsylvania, and had volunteered as a drug counselor at a free clinic in Philadelphia. I had begun to feel that traditional academic psychology wasn't really addressing the issues of the inner journey or the way in which we view the world.
Books on consciousness, mysticism, meditation, drug experiences and altered realities were just beginning to make it into popular culture. As a result, my interests began to evolve and my teaching became less traditional. I began teaching my students to meditate. We were reading the Tao Te Ching, The Bhagavad-Gita, books by Ram Dass, Carl Rogers. Castenada, Huxley, Watts and others. The concepts of altered realities, subjective reality, and mystical consciousness were becoming a part of my thinking.
I wanted to demonstrate in art the ideas that I was studying and teaching. The theme that occupied my thoughts was one of multiple realities. I had read many accounts of adventures in mystical consciousness and was certain that the most basic concept to understand and accept is that two realities can exist simultaneously. Both can be correct even though each is different. In 1975 I turned to photography as the medium to illustrate the coexistence of two realities.
I remember the moment that the idea for Bodyscapes® came to me. I was thinking that the shape and structure of the universe repeated itself at every level and suddenly I had the image in my mind of a skier going down a breast. This was it - the universe repeating its shapes - a body looking like a mountain. It was also an example of two realities coexisting. The picture could be seen as a landscape and it could also be seen as a body. Although they were different, both perceptions were right at the same time. I knew instantly that I had an entire series of images waiting to be captured on film.
Within a week or two I had my first model and began shooting. I was a complete newcomer in the world of art. I had never taken a course in photography, art, or art history, and had no idea that other people had ever thought of the similarity of bodies and landscapes. So I approached the project with naive energy, convinced that I was breaking new ground with each exposure.
I created these images by placing toys and miniatures on the body and shooting the picture as a single exposure. I knew it was possible to produce multiple exposure images such as photo montages, but felt that if it were to appear real to the viewer, it had to actually be real at some level...with the figure and the body together at the same time. Furthermore, I didn't want to resort to camera or darkroom tricks as that would make the work less credible. Now with the advent of digital photography, most people assume that any unusual photograph is a product of photoshop. However, I still work the way I began. I set the toys and the model and make a single exposure. I do not construct the image in photoshop.
Over the years I have discovered that art can be fun and serious at the same time. I have always believed that in the end an artist needs to communicate to the viewer, and involve them in the work to complete the experience. I feel that my art is complete when a viewer reacts to it. I have enjoyed creating Bodyscapes® and I enjoy sharing them with others and seeing their response.
It is always fun and interesting to see people discover for the first time, that the landscapes that they were looking at were really human bodies. Some people never see it until their friends point it out to them. Some look at the whole collection and then ask me what I mean by "Bodyscapes"®, or ask me which mountains I photographed. It's hard to keep a straight face as they puzzle over the photographs - knowing they are missing something and looking for clues to the answer.
My favorite story is about a couple with a young boy who appeared to be five years old. His parents asked him if he knew where the photographs had been taken. He answered with great certainty.'Yes", he said, 'California'! Some parents use the photographs as a teaching opportunity - pointing out the beauty of the naked body as a landscape. Several times I have seen young children explain to their older, less observant parents, the hidden truth of the images.
Some people hang these images in their homes and offices and their families and friends do not realize for years that the images contain bodies. Therapists tell me they could psychoanalyze me because of this work. I have had people tell me I am "sick" (usually with a smile!), and others tell me that I brighten their day and give them a new way of looking at the world. Some ask where I get the "little people", and others ask where I find a landscape that looks just like a body. Some are serious, some are joking - but, in the end, I find that people are generally fascinated by them.
My interest in photography began when I received my first camera at the age of 13. In both high school and college I was the photography editor of the newspaper and yearbook. I then put photography on hold while I pursued a career in psychology. I began the Bodyscapes in l975 and left academics in l981 to devote my full time to art photography.
Most of the Bodyscapes® were shot with a medium format Mamiya RB67 and either Tri-X or T-Max film. I continued to shoot film and print in the darkroom until 2014. When my enlarger burned out and I was unable to replace parts, I made the transition to digital capture and printing. I now shoot with a Nikon D300 and print with Epson 2880 and 7900 printers.
Contact Allan: alteger@gmail.com
ONE PERSON SHOWS
2019
Center for Spiritual Care, Vero Beach, FL
Ann Jackson Gallery, Rosewell, GA
Divani Medical Center, Sebastian, FL
2018
Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2017
Gallery 14, Vero Beach, FL
Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Jackson Jung Gallery, Chicago, IL
2016
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL
Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2015
Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Center for Spiritual Care, Vero Beach, FL
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL
2014
Darby Gallery, Vero Beach, FL
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL
Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2013
Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas, NV
Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2011
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL
2009
Yours truly Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
2000
Art and Soul Gallery, Woodstock, NY
1999
Forms Gallery, Delray, Fl
1996
Lake Avenue Gallery, Lake Worth, FL
1995
Hooloomooloo, Boston, MA
Gallery On the Square, Roanoke, VA
1994
James Beard Foundation, New York, Y.
1988
Susan Spiritus Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
1986
Neo Deco, Chicago, IL
Gallery at Young & Rubican, NYC, NY
1985
Quinn-Frank Gallery, Denver, CO
1984
Jacqueline's, NYC, NY.
GROUP SHOWS
2022
Park Avenue Contemporary Art, Winter Park Fl ( 2 person show)
2021
Cleveland Photo Fest, Cleveland, OH
bG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
Gallery 114, Portland, O
Foosaner Museum of Art, Melbourne, FL
Pacer Center Gallery, Parker, CO
2020
Praxis Gallery, St. Paul, MN
Art Impact International. Washington, D.C.
Jackson Junge Gallery, Chicago, IL
2018
Jackson Junge Gallery, Chicago, IL
Duncan Miller Gallery, “ Your daily photograph” online
2017
Hammer and Nails Gallery, Miami FL
Detroit Dirty Show
2016
Spectrum, Miami, FL
Art Undressed, Miami, FL
2015
ArtPrize Seven, Grand Rapids, MI
Wheelhouse Gallery, “Cupid's Arrow”, Santa Fe, NM
Lighthouse Art Center Museum, “Contempo”, juried by Elayne Mordes -
WhiteSpace Gallery, Tequesta, FL
Detroit Dirty Show
Art Undressed, Miami, FL
2014
Art Undressed, Miami, FL
Jackson Junge Gallery, “Eat, drink, and be Merry”, Chicago, IL
2013
Soho Gallery for Digital Art, NY, NY
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL (two person show)
1650 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR
East End Arts, Riverhead, NY
2012
DC.MOCA, Washington, DC
Rochester Erotic Arts Show
Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas, NV
Detroit Dirty Show
2011
Art Life Gallery, Jensen Beach, Fl.
Dacia Gallery, “The Modern Landscape,” New York, NY
Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH (two person show)
Serenity Gallery, Lancaster, Pa.
Detroit Dirty Show Detroit, MI
Seattle Erotic Art Show
2010
Detroit Dirty Show
Seattle Erotic Art Show
Rochester Erotic Art Festival
2009
Carmel Film Festival and Photography Exhibit, Carmel, CA
Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Detroit Dirty Show, Detroit MI
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota Fl (two person show)
CPop Gallery, Detroit, MI
Seattle Erotic Arts Festival, Seattle, WA
Art Undressed, Miami FL (traveling to 5 cities in USA)
2008
Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH (two person show)
Streetwise Gallery, Detroit, MI
Detroit Dirty Show, Detroit, MI
Hibiscus Center Traveling Exhibition, Vero Beach Fl
Kinsey Institute Juried Art Show, Bloomington, IN
James Schot Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Erotic Signature Traveling Exhibition,
Miami , Montreal, Berlin
New England International Erotic Art Show, Provincetown, MA
2007
Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL (two person show)
Body Beautiful Show, Windsor, Ont, Canada
James Schot Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Severence Gallery, Detroit MI.
Orlando Nude Night, Orlando, FL
2006
Lake Wales Art Center, Lake Wales Fl
2005
Backus Gallery, Ft. Pierce, Fl
Bonnet House Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
Dog and Pony Show Gallery, Naples, Fl
2004
Eisemann Center, Richardson, TX
Barnsite Gallery, Kewaunee, WI
Washington Gallery of Photography, Bethesda, MD.
Orange Country Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA
1999
Woodstock Artists Association, Woodstock, NY
Li Daniels Gallery, Rosendale, NY
1997
Liss Gallery. Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Swann Gallery, Detroit, MI
1995
Museum of Our National Heritage, Lexington, MA.
1994
Griffin for Photographic Art, Winchester, Ma.
Westport Art Center, Westport CT.
1991
Vermont State Craft Center, Middlebury,
1990
Photographic Image Gallery, Portland, OR
Newton Art Center, Newton, MA
1989
Alternatives 89, Siegfried Gallery, Athens, OH
1988
Jannes Art Gallery, Chicago, IL
Douglas Albert Gallery, State College, PA
1987
Susan Spiritus Gallery, Newport Beach, CA
1986
Quinn-Frank Gallery, Denver, CO
1985
Mills Gallery, Boston, MA
Quinn-Frank Gallery, Denver, CO
1983
PhotoShow Intl.Gallery, touring United States
Mills Gallery, Boston, MA
Atelier 564, Newton, MA
1981
Mazur-Mazur Gallery, Deerfield, IL
Sylvia Ullman's Crafts Gallery, Cleveland, OH
1980
PhotoShow Intl. Gallery, touring United States
1979
Mobilia, Cambridge, MA
PhotoShow Intl. Gallery, touring United States
1978
Mobilia, Cambridge, MA
Wadsworth Gallery, Devon, PA
PUBLICATIONS:
2022
Artistonish Magazine
2021
Xataka Photo (Spain)
Blauwe Wimple (Dutch maritime magazine)
Interview in Problographer
2020
Monovisions
2019
Hessischer Rundfunk (Germany) online gallery: www.hr.de
Separee (Germany)
2018
YourDailyPhotograph.com
Monthly Photography (South Korea)
2015
Eros Magazine, Fine Art Nudes
Bare Your Beauty, Bodyscapes Book By Allan Teger, published by Lunchbox
Salon
Bikinis and Martinis, Thailand
2014
Joongang Daily (South Korea)
2013
Techmac (China)
Zupi Art Magazine (Brazil)
Advanced Images (Kuala Lumpur)
Purple Clover (web magazine)
2012
Bodyscape book, Schiffer Books
20 Minutos (Spanish newspaper and webpage)
Huffington Post.Com
MSNBC. Com
2011
Playboy (Russian edition)
Focus Extra (Italy)
Cupido Magazine (Norway)
The Culture of Transbaikalia (Siberia)
Visions of Erotica: A Midwest Perspective (book)
Environmental Grafitti (web magazine)
The Sun (London)
The Metro (London)
Scottish Dailey Record (Scotland)
LeMagdarqroom (France) web
DailyMailOnline (England) web
2009
Sunshine Artists (cover story)
Posters, GBeye, UK
Echo of the Planet, Moscow, Russia
World’s greatest Erotic Art of Today, vol. IIl
2008
The Worlds Greatest Erotic Art of Today, vol.II
Digital Photography Magazine UK
Digital Photography Magazine Spain (cover story)
2007
Macro Photography, Kamps, H.J., Wiley (book)
Times of the Island, Sanibel, Fl (cover story)
American Social Psychology Quarterly (cover story)
Twin Cities Luxury and Fashion, Minn. MN
2006
PhotoDelo Magazine, Moscow Russia
Art Fairs International Magazine
2005
Uptown Show Poster, Minneapolis, MN
2004
FHM (Hungary and Indonesia)
Deco Posters , Posters International, Toronto Canada
2003
GQ (Italy and Spain)
FHM (K. and Singapore)
2002
Esquire Magazine
2001
Wisconsin Review
AutoForum , Germany
Dreamscape Posters, Posters International, Toronto Canada
2000
TidensMind, Germany
People Magazine, Australia
Clockwork Magazine, Germany
1999
Tomorrow Magazine, Germany
1998
Forbidden Art, Naomi, Schiffer, (book)
1995
BODYSCAPES™ Book, Shade Tree Press, Meyers, FL
1994
Cover photo of Soc. of Commerical Arch. magazine
CD record album cover, Jay Anderson's "Local Color"
1992
DINER Calendar, Pomegranate Publications
1992
Posters, Art Resources, Brewster, Y.
1991
Greeting cards, Pomegranate Publications
1989
Posters, Waterline Publications, Boston, MA
DECO Calendar,Landmark General, Novato, CA
1988
BODYSCAPES™ Poster, Capital Concepts Publishing, VA
1982 Playboy Magazine
1981 Northern Ohio Live Magazine
1978 Boston Magazine
1977 National Shorthand Reporter, Cover photo
1976 National Lampoon Magazine
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
2021
Lakewood Arts Festival, Best in Show
Member of the jury for the MonoVisions photography awards
2020
Bronze Star Award, Fine Art – Nude category, ND Photo Awards
2017
Award of Honor, Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
Cocoa Beach Art Festival, First in Photography
2016
Invited Address, Vero Beach Art Club, at the Vero Beach Museum
Award of Distinction, Melbourne Art Festival
2015
Eros Magazine, Fine Art Nudes, 3rd Place
Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Judges Selection
Vero Beach, Under the Oaks, 3rd place Photography and Mixed Media
2014
Armonk Art Festival, First place, mixed media
Black Swamp Art Festival, Honorable Mention
2013
Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Award of Merit
Soho Gallery for Digital Art, Rural Impressions show, Honorable Mention
Boca Raton Fine Art Show, Award of Excellence
East End Gallery H2O show, Honorable Mention
2012
Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Judges Selection
Space Coast Art Festival, Merit Award
Virginia Highlands Art Festival, First Place, Photography
Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Second Place, Photography
Bonita Springs Art Festival, Award of Distinction
Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas, Best of Show
2011
Great Gulfcoast Art Festival Judges Award
2010
Vero Beach Under the Oaks Art Festival, First Place, Photography
Magic City Art Festival, Birmingham, AL, Merit award
Seattle Erotic Art Show, First Place, Audience Choice National Award
Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Award of Distinctio
2009
Seattle Erotic Art Show, First Place, Audience Choice, National Award
Boca Museum art festival, Merit Award
Cape Coral Art Festival, First in photograph
2008
Pigeon key art festival, First in photography
Space Coast art festival, Merit Award
2007
Melbourne Masters Show, Best in Show
Arts, Beats, and Eats, Award of Excellence
Pigeon Key Art Festival, First in Photography
Celebration Art Festival, Award of Merit
2006
Space Coast Art Festival, Cocoa Beach Fl, 3rd Place, Photography
Medina OH Arts Festival - Best in Show
Celebration FL Arts Festival - Best in Show
Ft. Myers Art Fest, 1st place, 2-dimensional
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 1st place, Photography
Vero Beach Art Club, 1st place, photography
2005
Vero Beach Art Club, 3rd place photography
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 2nd place, Photography
Bonita Springs Art Festival, Award of Distinction
2004
Pinnacle Gold Award for Uptown Poster
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 2nd Place, Photography
Fine Art at the Village, Rochester Hills, MI, 2nd place, 2-D
Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, Il. Merit Award
Medina Art Festival, Medina, OH Third Place, Non-traditional, 2-D
Melburne Art Festival, FL. 1st Place, 2-D
2003
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 2nd place, Photography
Old Saybrook Art Fesitval, Best in Show
Lac Ste.Claire Art Festival, 2nd Place, 2-D
Bayou City Arts Festival, Houston, Best in Photography
2002
Boston Mills Art Fesitval, 1st Place, Multiple Images
Armonk Art Festival, honorable mention
Festival of the Masters, Merit Award
Pigeon Key Art festival, 2nd Place, Photography
2001
Key Biscayne Art Festival, Merit Award
Atlanta Dogwood Festival, 3rd Place, Fine Art
Boston Mills Art Festival, 1st Place ,Multiple Images
SoNo Arts Celebration, Excellence in Photography
1999
Poster Artist, Gasparilla Art Festival
Woodstock Artists Association, Honorable Mention
Key Biscayne Art Festival, Merit Award
Televised interview on German television
1998
Stephens Art Festival, 1st Place
1998
Key Biscayne Art festival, 1st Prize, Photography
1997
Shadyside Arts Fesitval, Jurors Award
1995
Boca Fiesta Art Festival, First Place
1993
Miami Beach Festival of Art 1st Prize, Photography
1992
Armonk Art Festival 1st Prize, Photography
Coconut Grove Art Festival, 2nd Prize, Photography
1990
Beaux Arts Festival, Best in Photography
Society of Commercial Archeology Photo Contest, Runner up.
1989
Images 89, Award of Commendation
Beaux Arts Festival, Award of Distinction
Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair, Award of Distiniction
1988
Miami Beach Art Festival, 2nd Prize, Photography
1986
Coconut Grove Art Festival, 2nd Prize, Photography
Nationally televised interview: Playboy Video Network
1985
Coconut Grove Art Festival, 1st Prize, Photography
1984
Invited Address: New York Art Directors Club, NYC, NY
1978
Printing Institute of America, Award Certificate
COLLECTIONS & INSTALLATIONS:
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
California State University Museum, Long Beach, CA
IBM, Atlanta, GA
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
The Sycamores, Altadena, CA
Emerald Square Mall, Attleboro, MA
Kinsey Institute collection
World Erotic Art Museum
EDUCATION:
B.A. Lafayette College, 1964
M.A. University of Delaware, 1966
Ph.D. State University of N.Y., Buffalo, 1969