A Break from the Past

The 2016 Pirelli Calendar has been unveiled. The Pirelli Calendar is recognized as a work of art, owing to its photographic quality. This year, photographer Annie Leibovitz was commissioned. The subjects are "13 women who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in social, cultural, sports, and artistic fields" (Pirelli). The announcement event was held in London at the end of November 2015.

What comes to mind when you hear Pirelli? For car enthusiasts, it's undoubtedly F1 or Italian sports cars. Pirelli, headquartered in Milan, was founded in 1872 and has been producing tires for vehicles since 1890. For those interested in architecture and engineering, it might be the Pirelli Building in Milan, designed by Gio Ponti. And for those who know the Pirelli Calendar, they are likely art lovers, and perhaps, admirers of women.

The Pirelli Calendar has been published 43 times, from the 1964 edition to the 2016 edition. It has often featured renowned photographers and beautiful women as subjects. For example, in '94, Herb Ritts photographed Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Actor Cate Blanchett, who hosted the gala dinner

Lapo Elkann of Italia Independent and Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera

In '95, Richard Avedon photographed Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington in New York. In '96, Peter Lindbergh shot Nastassja Kinski and Eva Herzigova against the backdrop of El Mirage, California.

What these editions have in common is their unique portrayal of female sensuality. Some critics, with a sharp tongue, even derided it as suitable for auto repair shops, given the 'tradition' of parts manufacturers distributing nude calendars as novelties. However, 2016 marked a significant shift.

"When Pirelli contacted me, they said they wanted to break from the past. The idea of photographing women, but not just any women, rather, remarkable women, was proposed. Once the client and I agreed, things moved very quickly. What I wanted to capture was women as they are. I decided to shoot them without artifice."

Annie Leibovitz had previously shot a series of nudes for the Pirelli Calendar in 2000. However, she stated that this time, she adopted a completely different approach.

The Women Featured

Thirteen women appear in the 2016 Pirelli Calendar. They are listed below.

The preface page features Yao Chen (Chinese actress. Her posts on 'Weibo' have garnered 17 million followers. She also serves as the first Chinese Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The situations of ethnic minorities and victims of international conflicts are also important themes for her). January features Natalia Vodianova (Russian supermodel. Founder of the children's charity 'Naked Heart Foundation'). February features Kathleen Kennedy (CEO of Lucasfilm. She has produced over 60 hit films, including 'E.T.', 'Back to the Future', and 'Jurassic Park'. Her latest work is 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens').

Serena Williams in the Pirelli Calendar 2016

Actress Yao Chen, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador

March features Agnes Gund (American philanthropist. Honorary Chair of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Her AG Foundation has made significant donations to cultural institutions and women's organizations). April features Serena Williams (Tennis player. Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she also works on violence prevention). May features Fran Lebowitz (Critic and writer. Her trademark is a Savile Row-ordered coat (or jacket, in American English) with a white shirt and jeans. Martin Scorsese directed the documentary 'Public Speaking' (2010) based on his interviews with her).

June features Mellody Hobson (President of Ariel Investments, an investment firm in Chicago. Together with her husband, George Lucas, she provides art and other curricula to high school students). July features Ava DuVernay (Film director. Her latest film is 'Selma' (2014), which chronicles the march for voting rights for African Americans. She is one of the few African American directors in Hollywood).

From August onwards, a teenage charismatic blogger also makes an appearance.

Women of the Internet Age

The 2016 Pirelli Calendar features women who have achieved significant accomplishments, regardless of age. Particularly unique is Tavi Gevinson from the United States, with a note stating, 'In the era of old media, it would have taken her much longer to reach this point.' She appears in August.

Born in 1996, Tavi Gevinson started the fashion blog 'Style Rookie' as a pre-teen. Leveraging social media and her unique perspective, she rapidly created a new media presence. She is now 19 years old.

September features Shirin Neshat (Iranian-born visual artist. She lives in New York but is deeply concerned with the situation of women in Iran. Her 2009 film 'Women Without Men' won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival).

Amy Schumer, a stand-up comedian with immense popularity in the UK and US

October features Yoko Ono (Artist. Musician. Political activist. The 'LennonOno Grant for Peace' is a fund that biennially awards peace activists worldwide). November features Patti Smith (Poet. Rock singer. Environmental activist, liberal politician. Her songs (especially 'People Have the Power') and actions are widely supported by Tibetans and artists). December features Amy Schumer (Stand-up comedian. She offers critiques of gender roles while openly depicting sexuality).