You’re invited to be a part of producing INSTRUMENTHEAD REVEALED – the fine art, hardcover companion book to INSTRUMENTHEAD, where photographer Michael Weintrob unmasks these musicians in a way that you’ve never seen before.

The Backstory

In 2017, after a successful INDIGOGO campaign, I was able to self-publish the award-winning INSTRUMENTHEAD book. Through this project, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with hundreds of musicians. My intention has always been to capture the inseparable connection between these artists and their instruments. What has also emerged on a personal level is honing my craft and developing my artistic voice.

Over the last decade, I have been on the road showing this work through immersive art exhibitions and connecting with the public. I love seeing people’s reaction to the work and diving into conversations about the art. One of the comments I often hear is “I wish I could see their faces.” Well you’re in luck…  

While creating this body of work, I also photographed the musicians where their faces were not obscured. They would show up with clothes, instruments and possessions to serve as clues for the guessing game in the INSTRUMENTHEAD portrait. By photographing in this setting I was able to shoot an honest portrait. 

I have had the opportunity to sit with this work over the pandemic and I believe now is the time to unmask the INSTRUMENTHEADS.

The companion book, INSTRUMENTHEAD REVEALED will present all the same musicians in the same order, but you can see their faces. The new book will become a key to the original, giving you a deeper more in depth look at the scope of this work.

Bootsy Collins

The scope of the work

Many of the musicians I have photographed are “sidemen” and have performed with some of the biggest names in music. The harmonica solo on WAR’s hit song “Low Rider” by Lee Oskar. The funky trombone sound of Fred Wesley that you hear on many James Brown and Parliment Funkadelic recordings. Tina Weymouth’s bass grooves on every Talking Heads song.  The list goes on and on.

Zakir Hussain

I have always loved traveling to different parts of the world and learning about their indigenous music. In this book you will also see portraits of many musicians with their instruments and traditional dress. Cyro Baptista from Brazil with his pandero and berimbau. Zakir Hussain with an assortment of Tablas from India.  Wu Fei with her Guzheng from China. Hopefully these images will inspire you to learn more about the diversity of music around the world.

Wu Fei

At the start of this project, I was based out of my Brooklyn Studio where I photographed many of the musicians for this book.  When I wasn’t shooting in my studio I traveled all over setting up pop-up studios everywhere from backyards to music venues, from New Orleans to Cape Town.  In this book there are 366 different artists. All of the images were shot before 2015.  

Kenny Olson

INSTRUMENTHEAD REVEALED Book Schedule

The design and production of a fine art book is a long and expensive process. We are aiming to deliver the book to INDIGOGO backers before the end of the year.

Risks and Challenges 

This is my second time crowd funding a book. The first time I learned so many valuable lessons that will allow this production to run so much more smoothly. I know what the design will be, where I am printing the book and when it will be printed.  I have a super solid team that worked with me on the first production and I feel confident that we have stream lined the process and have realistic expectations for delivering an amazing book.

What We Need and What You Will Receive:

To accomplish our goal of creating a companion book to the original INSTRUMENTHEAD we are going back to the same printer in Italy. We discovered many costs associated that we did not calculate in the first crowd funding campaign.  This time around our fundraising goal is higher to account for these extra costs.  With your support we will be able to make this happen.

We have got some really great incentives at every price point, including the book, a box set including the first INSTRUMENTHEAD book in a decretive box, a photo shoot and even your own INSTRUMENTHEAD exhibit. 

Additionally we are offering 15% off on all prints including INSTRUMENTHEAD and INSTRUMENTHEAD REVEALED. You can add this to your cart on the check out page by scrolling down and choosing your size. Not sure what print you want? I will be personally contacting you for a musical consultation ensuring you take home a perfect addition to your collection.

Check out the sizing charts below to see the scale of the pieces we offer: 

The Impact

Throughout the years I’ve benefitted many great charities through my exhibitions. With this campaign, $3 OF EVERY BOOK SOLD will be donated to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC) a charity I am very passionate about. They support New Orleans musicians in mind, body and spirit. Click here to learn more about what they do