2A.M. follows 1A.M. and it's also set to heat up bookshelves
Architect turned photographer Norm Yip (right) sizzled bookshelves in 2005 with a photo collection of nude Asian males called 1A.M.
Now, he's back with a follow-up titled 2A.M. Again, they are tasteful snaps of sculpted Asian physiques and this time it's even going to be available in Singapore where the first book was banned for the flimsiest of homophobic reasons.
'I showed the first book to a seller there and he said, 'I'll tell you now, if you take out these photos, the book is fine',' Yip recalled. 'The images they had a problem with had two guys that touched each other. The seller said the other pictures were no problem, even if they had been fully nude - but if there're two guys touching then it's a problem.'
In addition, Yip recently started something called the Asian Male Fan Club which held its first-ever mixer last night at the Fringe, as members got a chance to mingle with Yip and his non-professional models.
Despite the salacious name, the fan club is actually a forum to discuss his artwork and not a clique for dirty old gay men.
'I blame it on Facebook,' Yip laughs. 'I wanted a way to interact with people. It's not an official fan club, per se. Fortunately I haven't had too much naughty stuff sent in. There're women who've asked if they were allowed to join and I said, 'Absolutely'. It's not men only and it's not even a gay thing.' 2A.M. is at selected local bookshops as well as Amazon.com .
