Pfeiffersches Fieber

From: Markus Ebner

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2. Achtung has long been a huge fan of the work of Walter Pfeiffer. We take pride in seeing him on our magazine’s every masthead with the title of chief photographer, since he already began shooting for Achtung in issue number three. Michelle Nicol, the independent art curator and It-Girl of Zurich, first brought the Zurich-based photographer to our attention in 2004. Since then, Walter has been part of our family, contributing his funny and wildly glamorous photography - helping all of us at Achtung to learn and appreciate natural beauty and wicked glamour. Yet, sometimes, it’s hard to explain a good thing or the talent of such an artist without being biased. After all, his photos now grace the pages of French Vogue and he lenses campaigns for Barneys New York. Which is why we asked Ben Reardon, editor of influential i-D magazine and fellow Walter partisan to offer his take on Walter’s magic. We even managed to shoot the two of them frolicking in a Zurich hotel.
   
   Achtung: When and where did you first notice Walter Pfeiffer’s work?
   
   Ben Reardon: I first noticed Walter′s name being mentioned in various editorials within the context of Juergen Teller, Ryan McGinley and Wolfgang Tillmans, who are my favorite photographers. So I decided to research him. Around this time, Walter was featured in Butt magazine, I bought a book on eBay and contacted the publisher of the book with the idea to interview him for i-D magazine, of which I am editor.
   
   Achtung: When and where did you first meet him?
   
   Ben: Walter came to London and we conducted the interview in the outside area at the i-D office. He was shy, weird and wonderful and I fell in love with him instantly. He has since become a much valued and important part of the current visual language of i-D.
   
   Achtung: Describe Walter in a few words, what sort of person is he?
   
   Ben: An alien beamed to earth to document everything he sees, like ET but with a camera instead of a speak and spell. Walter is inquisitive, innocent and naturally brilliant. He is jolly, kind, funny, friendly, smart, sexy and an inspiration to me.
   
   Achtung: What do you think is his photography′s ultimate strength?
   
   Ben: His strength is his humor. He sees beauty in the everyday, in the banal or mundane. Everything and anything sparks his inspiration- a mop head, a beautiful boy, Euro Disney. He marries the high with the low and renders both as valid as the other. I try to do a similar thing with the content of i-D.
   
   Achtung: How do you explain that he is "so in vogue" at the moment, shooting for French Vogue and even the Barneys New York campaign?
   
   Ben: Walter is light in a dark period; he offers hope in bleak times. Positivity not negativity. Don′t hate - congratulate and celebrate.
   
   Achtung: What do you predict is coming up next for him?
   
   Ben: An OBE, an Oscar, beating Usain Bolt in the 100m dash, a statue on the 4th plinth, a clothing range, a Knighthood from The Queen and a role in Glee.
   
   Achtung: Which celebrity would you like to see portrayed by Walter?
   
   Ben: Michael Jackson, The Jonas Brothers, Joe McElderry, Morrissey and Lady Gaga.

3. Ben working the camera for Walter in Zurich! Photography: Markus Ebner

4. Walter Pfeiffer′s first shoot for Achtung as seen on the Art Commerce website, his new agency.