Mike Ruiz's "Pretty Masculine" Blossoms at Launch

This week image-maker Mike Ruiz celebrated the long-awaited release of his latest creative project, a visionary dream the artist has titled "Pretty Masculine". It is an essay of images in the unique style popularized by Ruiz in his distinguished career, dedicated to pressing the conventions of the masculine archetype in all its various degrees of beauty.

Fashion's elite and the art world's darlings came out to check out Ruiz's latest endeavor, gathering at the Red Bull Space in downtown, serenaded by the sounds of DJ Justin Dawson among a cavalcade of pretty masculine specimens all around.

In the book's introduction Martin Berusch, Ruiz's collaborator in both life and art, elaborates on the emotional arc the visuals present within the pages of the book. "They speak for themselves," Berusch writes, and it's true. Along with the delicate juxtaposition of floral arrangements on the brawny muscled form of the models, Ruiz pushes a feminine beauty that evokes the self-portraits of artist Frida Kahlo, while on other pages superheroes come to life in ways that Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee couldn't have imaged.

Masculine Redefined

As titillating and arousing as the images are, there is a distinct historic narrative that neatly extrapolates on the popularization of the homoerotic ideal in gay culture through the ages. From the all-too familiar Tom of Finland representation, to the glistening sweaty body builder, and the brutally mighty warrior of the arena, Ruiz tackles all the stimulating icons but with a brush of newness that is all of his own.

Berusch elaborates further in the introduction: "It is perhaps through such unconventionalities that we may all come to welcome our differences and appreciate each other on the most fundamental of human levels." Perhaps we also redefine the parameters of what is masculine and beautiful at the same time.

Of the more than 100 images captured, none stands out more than self-portrait of the visionary artist on the book's final page. What Mike Ruiz continues to contribute as an artist not only inspires passion among his fans, but also identifies the passion he brings to every minute of his life and the joy that ultimately follows.

Like everything that Ruiz creates, the purchase of "Pretty Masculine" serves an altruistic purpose. A portion of the proceeds from the high-quality coffee table book will benefit GMHC and the organization's continuing support of those within our community that are living with HIV/AIDS.