CThru.com Presents Tony Ward

It is hard to believe that a decade has passed since I published my first two books on erotic photography with the charming little bookstore, La Musardine located at 122 rue du chemin-Vert, Paris. Friends in the states informed me about the renowned French publisher, and its hardcore counterpart Alixe Editions. At the time, the late 90’s, I had found an outlet for publishing my most challenging erotic work under the creative direction of Penthouse founder and publisher, Bob Guccione. Many of the pictures that were originally photographed for Penthouse, were later published in my first two volumes Ogasm and OrgasmXL, under the editorial supervision of La Musardine owner Claude Bard and his insightful assistant and Anne Hautecoeur.

My first visit to meet Claude and Anne was a short walk from my apartment in Menilmontant, through the beautiful Pere Lachaise cemetery, were many notibles were laid to rest. A short distance to the unique erotic bookstore, La Musardine is mixed in with a variety of apartments, business’s and delicious French pastry shops, that are located along the busy Parisian street, If you don’t pay careful attention as you got close to the address, you could easily walk past it, as I have on many occasions. Once you enter the shop, hundreds of books lining the walls of the quaint environment overwhelm you. Erotic titles that you would never imagine would ever be published could be found in La Musardine’s extensive library. It was an education in itself, just looking around at all the literary works and photography books published on the subjects of sex and erotica. I knew at once that I found the right publisher for my vision and erotic imagination……..

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!………..

…..Anna and I worked together several more times after our initial meeting in Amsterdam. This picture was taken at the Plaza Hotel in New York while she was studying abroad. This is the cover concept for my most recent book project.