Third-year Brooks Student Beau Roulette Shares Book With Artists Warhol and Hirst

Publishing a photography book with your pictures next to those of Andy Warhol and contemporary artist Damien Hirst before graduating from college might seem impossible, unless you are photographer Beau Roulette, a third year student from Brooks Institute.

Roulette's pictures are part of the book titled, "Warhol Factory X Levi's X Damien Hirst," which is also the name of the new Levi's collection. The volume, complete with a Levi's cover, contains pictures from the Warhol's archive and photos of Hirst's art pieces. Hirst's designs are incorporated into the current Levi's collection shown in Roulette's photographs. The book's forward is by fashion and culture writer Ingrid Sischy.

Roulette says the presentation shows, "…why Warhol and Hirst are important to each other and to popular culture." Warhol is famous for using a factory system of assistants to create his work, a plan similar to the Renaissance studio where helpers often crafted paintings and sculptures under the master's supervision. The sometimes controversial Hirst uses the same approach. He believes art is in the idea, not necessarily in the object's execution.

What miracle did it take for a still-in-college-student to get this kind of opportunity? "It's been said before, but it's who you know," says Roulette. He knew Adrian Nyman, now a top designer, in high school though until recently they had not spoken in 10 years. When Nyman got involved in the current Levi's project, someone asked him, "Have you seen what Beau is doing?" and showed him Roulette's fashion photography Website. (http://www.beauroulette.com/) With that Roulette became part of the project.

In class students frequently hear how important it is to make friends and contacts in the industry. Roulette says, "It is hard to understand this --- until you really see it."

The project included a trip to China, where Roulette shot 700 photographs in clothing factories on the mainland and in Hong Kong. Several of those are included in the book.

The actual Levi's clothing collection was shot in a warehouse in Los Angeles during three and one half days. Building the sets took three weeks. This allowed time to create multiple sets so the clothing and models could be moved around quickly to create different looks.

For his team Roulette chose two Brooks Institute students as assistants. He says people sometimes think a photographer needs 30 helpers for such a project. Roulette says he prefers two knowledgeable people, if they are the right people.

"I've used non-Brooks students before, but that is like driving in the dark with your sunglasses on," he said. "Here at Brooks we've all been through the same thing, so there is a short-hand available," he adds.

Published in September the book was to be carried in Barney's stores, at the Damien Hirst gallery and other select venues. It was expected to sell for $400.

At approximately the same time Roulette photographed the Levi's show during New York 's fashion week. Hirst made special paintings for the show.

All this followed on the heels of Roulette's gradual move into the magazine world. In 1999 he had a cover of "Snowboard" magazine, his only published picture up to that time. However, recently his fashion work for the BB Dakota clothing line has been seen in "Teen Vogue," "Nylon" magazine and on a billboard in Times Square.

When he graduates Roulette expects to work in Los Angeles, though he has larger eventual aspirations. "My dream is to go to Paris or Germany," he says.

After studying photography on his own for 10 years, Roulette appreciates his time at Brooks Institute. "I'm so happy with my education here. I just needed someone to show me the way," he says. "It's like building a house with a hammer, only now I have power tools!"