Capturing Moments: Presidents and Protesters Unite on a Singular Wooden Seat

Vladimir Putin, Muammar Gaddafi, Mark Zuckerberg. Presidents and Hollywood stars; political dissidents, abuse survivors and immigrants. One thing unites them all: a slightly scuffed, white wooden box.

"More world leaders have sat on that box than any chair in history," said Platon, the photographer who owns the box, in an interview with CNN conducted over Zoom. Some world leaders find the simplicity of his set—sitting on the box in front of a plain black or white sheet of paper—intimidating, as it strips them of their usual grandeur. For others, it is liberating, allowing their humanity to shine through the facade of a professional storyteller. In Platon's new book "The Defenders," the box became an opportunity.

Platon shared a common saying in the human rights community: "Giving a voice to the voiceless." However, he believes that it is not accurate to say that. He emphasized that marginalized individuals have strong and powerful voices that have simply been overlooked. His goal is to amplify people's stories and connect with their humanity, likening it to tuning into an old-fashioned radio.

Platon Antoniou was born in Greece in 1968 and later moved to the UK at the age of eight. He studied photography at the Royal College of Art before embarking on a career in New York. While in New York, he had the opportunity to work on George magazine with John Kennedy Jr. and also served as a staff photographer at the New Yorker magazine.

Barack Obama taken in 2006 before he ran for president. For some world leaders, the scarcity of Platon's minimalist set can be liberating.

Barack Obama taken in 2006 before he ran for president. For some world leaders, the scarcity of Platon's minimalist set can be liberating.

Platon

"The Defenders" marks a shift from Platon's previous projects. As a budding photographer, he found himself captivated by the glamour of politicians and celebrities, navigating the halls of power in the Kremlin and Downing Street, and engaging in casual conversations in George Clooney's garden. However, shifting his focus to the marginalized has completely transformed his perspective on power.

Saul Leiter

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He mentioned that after photographing numerous world leaders, he found that the individuals he encountered in the human rights movement were true leaders. These individuals were able to turn their challenges into empathy for others, a quality he rarely observed in the political arena. Thus, he titled his book "The Defenders," likening them to superheroes for their extraordinary actions as ordinary people. He emphasized the significance of altering the story to highlight these unsung heroes.

Platon photographed Esther Faraja and her son Josue at Dr. Mukwege's Panzi Hospital in Congo.

Platon photographed Esther Faraja and her son Josue at Dr. Mukwege's Panzi Hospital in Congo.

Platon

Platon is known for capturing powerful images of individuals who stand up for what they believe in. Some of these individuals include Burmese and Egyptian dissidents, the members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot who were imprisoned, and survivors of sexual violence at Dr. Denis Mukwege’s Panzi Hospital in Congo.

One of the girls Platon photographed at Panzi Hospital was Esther Faraja. Her story was featured in an episode of Netflix’s “Abstract: The Art of Design,” which focused on Platon's work. However, Platon chose not to include the details of the trauma she endured in the film, as he felt they were too distressing for viewers.

American actress Faye Dunaway is seen enjoying breakfast by the pool at the Beverley Hills Hotel on March 29, 1977. She appears somewhat unimpressed with her win at the Academy Awards ceremony the night before, where she took home the 1976 Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in 'Network'.

American actress Faye Dunaway takes breakfast by the pool with the day's newspapers at the Beverley Hills Hotel, 29th March 1977. She seems less than elated with her success at the previous night's Academy Awards ceremony, where she won the 1976 Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 'Network'.

Terry O'Neill/iconicimagesgallery.com

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Faye Dunaway's morning-after portrait has become an iconic Hollywood moment for a special reason. The photographer, Platon, shared a touching story about the photo shoot. He mentioned that as he took the picture, Faye Dunaway, despite her emotional state, did not cry. Platon, feeling emotional himself, asked her why he was the one crying when she was the one who had gone through a tough time. Faye Dunaway's response was truly remarkable. She explained that she did not want to make others feel sad when they looked at her picture. She believed that her purpose was to bring joy to the world, as her parents had brought her into this world to do so. Platon was deeply moved by her words and considered her a true leader. He made a promise to Faye Dunaway that he would share her message of compassion and strength with as many people as possible.

Vladimir Putin apparently initially liked his Platon portrait, but the photographer said the Russian president's opinion of it has changed as the years have passed.

Vladimir Putin apparently initially liked his Platon portrait, but the photographer said the Russian president's opinion of it has changed as the years have passed.

Platon's project, "The Defenders," aims to share many stories similar to hers, all captured in just a fraction of a second. According to Platon, time is a fascinating concept that doesn't truly exist. He believes in freezing moments that provide insight into the past and remain relevant in the future. Despite being a brief moment in the present, these captured moments are so fleeting that one could easily miss them with a blink of an eye.

Two political giants provide clear examples of the strange impact of time. In 2007, Vladimir Putin was photographed by Platon for Time's Person of the Year. Initially, Putin was pleased with the powerful image that Platon captured. However, over time, the same image has been manipulated by political dissidents to ridicule Putin and undermine his authority.

Platon shared, "I recently heard that anyone who shares my photo in connection with human rights issues could be arrested in the last two years. It's still the same picture. And Putin now approves of it."

"We look at (the photo) of Clinton through a different lens now," says Platon of his 2000 portrait.

"We look at (the photo) of Clinton through a different lens now," says Platon of his 2000 portrait.

Platon

Bill Clinton, featured on the cover of Esquire in December 2000, captured by Platon, has also shown signs of aging over the years. Platon reminisces, "At the time, that image exuded incredible charisma. He had a way with people - many believe there's no one more charismatic than Bill Clinton. We may view it differently now, but the essence of the picture remains unchanged. When I capture that moment perfectly, it resonates with everyone."

Platon mentioned that Hillary Clinton does not agree to be photographed by him. He finds it intriguing that she is one of the few politicians who have declined. Platon believes that her refusal is just as compelling as when someone agrees to be photographed. This shows that saying no can be just as powerful as saying yes.

Capturing the essence of complex human stories in a single moment is a challenge for all photographers, including those who photograph world leaders. This task becomes even more daunting when dealing with sensitive topics, as seen in "The Defenders." Platon, the photographer, acknowledges the risks taken by the people sharing their stories with him. He understands the importance of approaching these subjects with care and respect, avoiding any reckless behavior or seeking thrills.

Platon values the luxury of time when working on his projects, allowing him to delve deep into the subject matter and create thoughtful and impactful images. In contrast, the prevalence of quick and spontaneous photography on social media platforms is on the rise. Many photos are now taken hastily with smartphones and shared instantly. In "The Defenders," Platon recalls a moment with Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, who was taken aback by the sea of smartphones pointed in her direction as she emerged from house arrest.

Platon photographed members of the Burmese LGBTQ+ community who are living in exile and fighting against legislation that criminalizes same-sex behaviour. Their leader is Aung Myo Min (right).

Platon photographed Burmese politician and activist Aung San Suu Kyi in 2010, shortly after she was released from nearly 15 years of house arrest.

Platon

Anastasia Smirnova is a spokesperson for organizations that document abuses against LGBTQ+ Russians and campaign for human dignity for all sexual orientations and genders.

Platon

Platon noted that nowadays, everyone is a photographer and a filmmaker. This can be a positive thing as it holds those in power accountable in new ways. However, the downside is that there is an overwhelming amount of information that constantly distracts us. It's hard to find a moment for reflection and to think for ourselves when our phones are always buzzing and beeping with notifications.

By taking a step back, Platon was able to see the connections between the movements he was capturing. He realized that these struggles were not isolated incidents, but rather interconnected ones. Despite the differences in each geopolitical situation, they all revolved around fighting for fundamental human principles. For example, he photographed LGBTQ+ activists in both Burma and Russia, two very different countries united by a common cause.

In capturing and amplifying the stories of “The Defenders,” Platon hopes to inspire and instruct other people, just as he was inspired and instructed.

Platon captured images of the Burmese LGBTQ+ community members living in exile. They are bravely battling against laws that punish same-sex relationships. Aung Myo Min is their leader, pictured on the right.

"It serves as a guide for the younger generation, encouraging them to take action and participate in society. We need a fresh wave of activists who will bring new perspectives. While the methods and tools may evolve, the core principles remain constant and bring us together. Although strategies may shift with the times, the foundational beliefs stay unchanged."

"The Defenders", a publication by MW Editions, can be purchased now.

Editor's P/S:

Platon's project, "The Defenders," is a powerful and moving collection of portraits that capture the resilience and humanity of individuals who have faced adversity and injustice. Through his minimalist set, Platon creates a level playing field for his subjects, allowing their true selves to shine through. By stripping away the trappings of power and celebrity, Platon reveals the common ground that unites us all.

"The Defenders" is more than just a collection of photographs; it is a testament to the power of storytelling. Platon uses his images to amplify the voices of the marginalized, to give a platform to those who have been silenced. He believes that everyone has a story to tell, and that by sharing these stories, we can create a more just and compassionate world.