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Pierre et Gilles : Sailors & Sea
An unbridled celebration of a life beyond guilt and expiation
As sweet as raspberry ripple, as tempting as popcorn. Welcome to the seductive pictures of Pierre et Gilles. Again and again they show people in kitschy scenarios against a background of flowers and hearts. When they are not snapping portraits of the well-known - most of whom are close friends like Marc Almond or Nina Hagen - and not-so-known, they photograph themselves. Bizarre, and full of obscure significance, the photographs are reminiscent of stills from film melodramas.They are always colourful and presented with beguiling polish. They plunder the repertoire of historical presentation as though they were leafing through a collection of fabrics, and assume identities as though they were part of a mail-order catalogue. Now the latest and most comprehensive collection of the works of these two photographers can be presented to the public - in a format designed by the artists themselves. In matt skin-colour, with a golden edging, the embossed cover is reminiscent of a quilted counterpane and promises a cuddly experience within. Once between the covers one can frolic at will in a soft, artificial world of pictures. This saccharine collection of kitsch encompasses all aspects of homosexuality and offers them in an appetising form even to those who abhor them. A straight challenge is issued to all readers to participate - at least with their eyes - in this unbridled celebration of a life beyond guilt and expiation.
As sweet as raspberry ripple, as tempting as popcorn. Welcome to the seductive pictures of Pierre et Gilles. Again and again they show people in kitschy scenarios against a background of flowers and hearts. When they are not snapping portraits of the well-known - most of whom are close friends like Marc Almond or Nina Hagen - and not-so-known, they photograph themselves. Bizarre, and full of obscure significance, the photographs are reminiscent of stills from film melodramas.They are always colourful and presented with beguiling polish. They plunder the repertoire of historical presentation as though they were leafing through a collection of fabrics, and assume identities as though they were part of a mail-order catalogue. Now the latest and most comprehensive collection of the works of these two photographers can be presented to the public - in a format designed by the artists themselves. In matt skin-colour, with a golden edging, the embossed cover is reminiscent of a quilted counterpane and promises a cuddly experience within. Once between the covers one can frolic at will in a soft, artificial world of pictures. This saccharine collection of kitsch encompasses all aspects of homosexuality and offers them in an appetising form even to those who abhor them. A straight challenge is issued to all readers to participate - at least with their eyes - in this unbridled celebration of a life beyond guilt and expiation.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 8, 2014
Pierre et Gilles may sound unfamiliar, but chances are that you’ve seen their work before. I mean, who hasn’t drooled over the fruits of their collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier?
So, uhm, there are more sailors in this coffee table book.^^
Oh, and tot in this book, but I loved their Marc Jacobs shoot as well. A candy-colored feast for the eyes really.
So, uhm, there are more sailors in this coffee table book.^^
Oh, and tot in this book, but I loved their Marc Jacobs shoot as well. A candy-colored feast for the eyes really.
July 13, 2012
The French artist duo Pierre et Gilles are basically responsible for the first mesmerizing images of 'St. Sebastian' & 'Naufragés' that I ever saw on the cover of a magazine back in the eighties. It wasn't until 2008 that I saw the full scope of their work, and I loved it ever since. That they made it into the 'TASCHEN' collection means that they are big now. Not everyone might know their names, but they sure know the imagery.
April 9, 2012
The images have such an enchanting quality to them and I really love the weird stiffness to the figures. This is one of my favorite collection of images and I keep it next to my illustration and inspirationional zines and books.
( And everything is better with glitter! )
( And everything is better with glitter! )
July 16, 2013
Very vivid and a great source for inspiration when it comes to photography or themes.
September 5, 2023
bastantes de las fotografìas son muy buenas
aunque incluyen desnudos, no muchas presentan caracterìsticas sexualizadas; aunque algo sì un poco irreal son los retoques para que todos los modelos parezcan perfectos/barbies
pero hay otra fotografìa de muñecos que a la vez se ve muy real
y todos los detalles de arena, peces, colores, reflejos, conchas, estrellas de mar y demàs, vuelven a las fotografìas muy buenas.
Tambièn el encuadre y la profundidad està muy bien utilizado.
aunque incluyen desnudos, no muchas presentan caracterìsticas sexualizadas; aunque algo sì un poco irreal son los retoques para que todos los modelos parezcan perfectos/barbies
pero hay otra fotografìa de muñecos que a la vez se ve muy real
y todos los detalles de arena, peces, colores, reflejos, conchas, estrellas de mar y demàs, vuelven a las fotografìas muy buenas.
Tambièn el encuadre y la profundidad està muy bien utilizado.
January 31, 2025
Something new I am trying this year: I am asking friends to recommend a book to me that they think I would never read. This is the first such book. I was very much impressed with the artistic nature of the work of P/et/G; but I must confess that my friend was probably right - I probably would not have come across this book on my own. Never have I seen so many pictures of sailors! Those who are sensitive to nudity should probably skip this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews