Rainbow Revolution

by Magnus Hastings (Photographer)

Rainbow Revolution is a collection of vibrant portraits that celebrate the expanding spectrum of queer identity and visibility.

Starting with an empty white box, renowned photographer Magnus Hastings invites members of the LGBTQIA+ community to creatively envision the space.

Funny, political, personal, racy, magical, and matter-of-fact—each individual presents themselves as they would like to be seen.
Features more than 300 photographs
Includes a number of short, moving statements by some of the subjects about who they are, and what that means
A beautifully diverse celebration of queer identity and community
Proud, playful, defiant, and diverse, the empowering images and individuals in this beautiful volume represent the strength of knowing and expressing who we are.

Rainbow Revolution includes Kathy Griffin, Jade Thirlwall, Luke Evans, Boy George, Peppermint, Adore Delano, Eureka O'Hara, Alaska Thunderf*ck, Gigi Gorgeous, Nico Tortorella, and many more.
A gorgeous book for the LGBTQIA+ audience and their friends, loved ones, and community around them
Ideal for display on the coffee table
Great for fans of Magnus Hastings' photography, Rupaul's Drag Race, and more
Add it to the shelf with books like Queer: A Graphic History by Dr. Meg-John Barker, A Quick Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni, and We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Art

176 pages, Hardcover

Published November 24, 2020

Reviews

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was in our high school library collection and causing a bit of a stir with some students and staff. To be thorough in my comfort in keeping it in our collection, I decided to read it in its entirety, which I suspect those buzzing around this book were not doing!

Rainbow Revolution is a coffee table style book of artistic photographs. Magnus Hastings created a large white box (think large shadow box) and encouraged people to make the space creatively theirs and photographed them (with no touch ups) in the space. I love the variation in the use of the space; even though everyone started with the same white space, the use of the space is as varied as the beautiful, raw, and exposed people in them.

There is some full nudity in the book (hence the commotion this book was causing), but it is real and artistic. The accompanying text throughout the book adds to the understanding of the project and to the reader's empathy and understandings. While this is an edgy choice for a high school library, I am comfortable keeping it in our collection and I will encourage others to actually fully explore its pages.

[Alyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite purchases of 2020. So many beautiful bodies! Makes my queer heart very full.

[Jim Gladstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

British photographer Magnus Hastings, the creator of the eye-popping 2016 photo book Why Drag? Is back with an even richer new volume of queer portraiture, the greatest hits of his multi-year #gayface project, for which Hastings invited queers from all walks of life to pose within stark white 6’ 5” square boxes, dressing up both the boxes and themselves to express their individuality. Rainbow Revolution features over 300 images that are supersaturated with color and with joy. Hastings playfully showcases a full spectrum of genders, sexualities, skin tones, and physiques, bringing out a sense of good cheer and self-confidence in every one of his subjects. This book will turn any coffee table into an every day Pride parade.

[Tabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a simple concept: here is a white box, express yourself authentically. A blank canvas brought forth a gorgeous rainbow of personalities. Told mostly in photographs and caption labels, a handful of interviews interspersed add depth to this work.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful photography and stories of people just being themselves.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I just felt like I prefer the impact "Why Drag?" had on me, although still really enjoyed this

[Robyn Bain]

its a photography book. which is beautiful