CThru.com Presents Tony Ward

Medical Clinic, Haiti, 1987 . Photo By John Grant

Posted By John Grant

…….I was there in 1987 visiting a doctor friend who worked in a clinic in the middle of the island and made two-hour treks to tiny villages up in the mountains three days a week. One thing I will never forget is watching a man who worked in the clinic use a pair of common pliers to extract a tooth from the jaw of a 30-year-old peasant woman. He was having a hard time wriggling the thing out, and she was suffering immensely. But she did not let out even a peep! It gives me the chills just recalling the scene.

The 23-year-old memory of that woman’s stoicism actually inspired me six months ago to extract a painful, loose tooth of my own. In my case, it was considerably easier, and I saved a $100 dental bill. As comfortable Americans, we should purge ourselves of any sense of superiority vis-a-vis Haiti and learn to respect and honor Haitians for the suffering they have endured — and are enduring at this moment.  In that spirit, we should extend our hand.

If nothing else, the earthquake disaster should wake Americans up to what an amazing place Haiti really is — absolutely unique in the Western Hemisphere, an island liberated by Africans brought to this hemisphere in chains as slaves. While poverty and horror are the usual images that pop into Americans’ minds when they hear the word “Haiti,” the real story is much more complicated and full to the brim with stoicism, art and music. And, folks, if we get all superior and see voodoo as third-rate theatrics and nonsense, it’s no different than all religions — it’s people trying to make sense out of darkness and death. The fact is, we could learn a lot from Haiti.  

Yoko, Palomar Hotel, New Years Eve, 2009

…….The Studio wishes everyone love, peace and happiness in 2010…………TW

. Yoko’s lingerie Victoria’s Secret
. Makeup by Mac
. Makeup artist Ashley Bohl

……..I first met Danny Linden on one of my first trips to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Amsterdam is like a little village. There is an interconnectedness with everyone that I’ve met in the most liberal city on the planet. Danny was introduced to me by my close friends, Rene Meuessen and Jeroren Oosterhout, the producers of the Wasteland Party, a fetish extravaganza that I’ve been documenting for the past decade in the fall and spring of each year.

On one of my earliest trips, Rene introduced me to Ms. Linden at The Super Club, a marvelous dinner theater/night club in the heart of the city. Danny and I hit it off right away and became friends. She also has commissioned me to produce a number of catalogue shoots for her famous boutique, Absolute Danny, located at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 78 in the heart of the Red Light District. She is one of the sexiest women in Holland and a dear friend of the studio.
Over the past few years Danny has been busy creating rubber clothing under her own ABSOLUTE DANNY label.

Tony Ward Studio For Absolute Danny

To learn more about Danny Linden, log on to www.absolutedanny.com…………

Absolute Fetish

www.AbsoluteDanny.com

Wasteland Book Release Spring 2010

…..Right about now, thousands of Europeans are doing last minute shopping as they prepare their outfits for the twice yearly pilgrimage to Amsterdam, to attend the massive fetish party Wasteland tomorrow night in Amsterdam. Party organizers predict attendance to peak at around 4000 revelers for the well organized event. TW has been documenting the party for the past 10 years and is pleased to announce that he will be publishing a long awaited series of documentary photographs of the extravaganza in the Spring of 2010. For those of you who can make last minute plans to travel to Amsterdam we highly suggest you attend. You will never forget it! Dress code is required……

www.Wasteland.nl

….If you happen to be traveling to Hamburg, Germany for business or pleasure anytime soon, the studio recommends that you stay at Hotel Village, a moderately priced hotel in the heart of this rich european city. Hamburg is the home of Jil Sander, Wofgang Joop and other distinguished Germans and It’s just a block away from the Hauptbanhof or train station as it’s known in English. The hotel was formerly the location of one of Germany’s most famous Bordello’s and the decor reflects the activities that took place there during it’s infamous past.

As soon as you walk in to the place, it’s as if you’ve taken a step back in time. The original “ceiling mirrors” over the beds are still in place for today’s hotel guests to enjoy. It has also been the location for many of this studios most erotic shoots.

Hotel Village is close to the thriving city’s night life where prostitution remains legal……

Miami Real Estate

…..As soon as we arrived at the security gate we knew we were safe. The studio was assigned to photograph Thomas Kramer, the self proclaimed visionary entrepreneur of Miami Beach at his mansion on Star Island. This small little island, attracted a few well known neighbors that include: Gloria Estefan, P. Diddy and Shaquille O’Neil. There were rumblings going on in Mr. Kramer’s native Germany, that the real estate mogul was embroiled in a multi- million dollar legal battle with members of his former wife’s family. Well known magazine picture editor Anka Degenhard, under contract for Hamburg based Park Avenue magazine at the time, contacted the studio from her office in Hamburg, to ask TW to fly down to South Beach to meet and photograph the real estate investor.

TK CROSS

Mr. Kramer was a polite host as we toured the enormous property looking for various places to shoot. The search for a great location on this day was not going to be a problem. We were on a tight schedule as he informed us of a cocktail party he was invited to attend at Shaq’s house, just a few basketball courts away. Rather than walk, TK decided to take the Harley……….

Thomas Kramer

Largest Fetish Party In The World

….I first learned about Wasteland on one of my many extended trips to my home away from home Amsterdam, The Netherlands. One evening when I was out on the town with a group of friends, I was informed that the organizers of Wasteland heard a rumor that I was in town and asked if I would meet with them to discuss their upcoming party. They were interested in commissioning me to produce a picture to be used on a poster to promote the event. This is no ordinary party, it’s a *special* party and when they set a date for the extravaganza, 4000 people show up to celebrate the event. So, I went to the meeting and learned more about the players involved, Rene Meuessen and Jeroen Oosterhout, principals of Vault Productions . Rene and Jeroen have been involved with the nightlife scene in Amsterdam for the past two decades and they are the best people to know if you want to have a good time while your staying in Holland. This years event will be held on the 14th of November and yours truly plans to be in attendance! They’ve asked me to make a guest appearance and photograph the event as I have for the past 10 years while one of Hollands top VJ’s projects my images live at the event. There are fashion shows, live performer’s, people attending the event engaged in acts at random and top DJ’s and VJ’s provide the sight’s and sounds of this twice yearly visual and auditory feast. The next Wasteland will commemorate it’s 15th year of existence and will culminate in a book publication of my experiences at this amazing spectacle in 2010. This is the ultimate party for the true hedonist, dress code required. For more information about the event email my good friend Rene at rene@vaultevents.nl, tell him I sent you!………..