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Gilbert & George

URETHRA POSTCARD PICTURES -
Interview

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Gilbert & George: The Exhibition URETHRA POSTCARD PICTURES

Contemporary art, in all its provocative and insolent splendor, finds a vibrant incarnation in the work of Gilbert & George. This British duo, known for their audacity and nonconformity, invites us to delve into the depths of their exhibition titled URETHRA POSTCARD PICTURES. But what lies behind this evocative title and this resolutely perplexing aesthetic choice?


A Journey Between the Everyday and the Extraordinary

Gilbert Prousch and George Passmore, beyond their identity as artists, embody a form of artistic life where existence itself becomes a work of art. Their approach, tinged with provocation, does not merely seek to represent reality; it tears it apart to reveal the hidden layers within. URETHRA POSTCARD PICTURES is a crossroads where the mundane meets the exceptional, where each image serves as a window into a troubling intimacy.

The title, both learned and scandalous, immediately plunges us into a universe where sexuality, beauty, and taboos coexist. The term "urethra," so clinical, becomes a symbol of an unapologetic exploration of bodies and desires. Gilbert & George have never shied away from shocking; they use living sculptures and bold performances to confront viewers with their own prejudices. Their conceptual art, blending photography with references to English Pop Art, challenges and disturbs, thus asserting their worldview.

The Striking Palette of a Subtle Message

The visual aspect of the exhibition is captivating. Bright colors, bold patterns, and carefully orchestrated compositions intertwine to create an immersive experience. Each piece is a living tableau, a dynamic collage where the rigor of forms meets the freedom of ideas. This chromatic choice serves not only to attract; it awakens and provokes emotions, questioning our perception of beauty.

Each piece appears as a postcard sent from a parallel world, a distorted reflection of our reality. By playing on the codes of communication, Gilbert & George remind us that art has this unique power to transcend the everyday, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. These images, which might seem like mere representations, reveal themselves as resonances of our own existence—reflections on our desires, fears, and deepest concerns.

An Unfiltered Dialogue with the Viewer

But the exhibition does not merely strike visually. It engages in a profound dialogue with the viewer. With each glance at a work, a question arises: what does this image conceal? How does it resonate within me? Gilbert & George invite us to explore our own consciousness, to dive into the depths of our psyche. Each piece acts as a distorting mirror, revealing not only the artist but also the observer.

Their works, often tinged with biting irony, explore the contradictions of modern society. They shed light on the struggles for freedom of expression and the fights for acceptance of differences. Art becomes an act of resistance, a claim to diversity and individuality in a world often conformist and normative. URETHRA POSTCARD PICTURES is not merely a collection of images; it is a manifesto.

Art as Provocation and Revelation

Thus, URETHRA POSTCARD PICTURES is a bold exploration of the darker corners of human existence. Through their art, Gilbert & George remind us that beauty and ugliness, the extraordinary and the grotesque coexist, and that each image invites us to contemplate our own humanity.

As visitors traverse the halls of this exhibition, they cannot help but feel the impact of this living art: an ode to provocation, a tribute to the complexity of life, and an invitation to dare to look beyond appearances. Gilbert & George, with their audacity and unique vision, urge us to celebrate our diversity and embrace our deepest truths.

In their universe, art is not merely an image; it is a reflection on the human condition, a celebration of the unexpected.



MANY THANKS TO

Alessandra, Gilbert & George

PHOTOS

Gilbert George

Saluting, Bridge & Pink, Cialis, English Massage, Denjackver, Two buses, Filthy wankers, Nine one six, Three bears, 2009

Mixed Media,

88 x 123 cm (34.65 x 48.43 in)

123 x 88 cm (48.43 x 34.65 in)



VIDEO

Report / Interview Sabine Morandini-Lisa Shelley
February 2011



INFOS

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75003 PARIS FRANCE

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