robert mapplethorpe / michael sayles april 13 – june 23, 2012
This exhibition focuses on the formal elements of both artists’ works, irrespective of their sexuality. What both Mapplethorpe and Sayles share is a passion for precision, perfect lines rendering form, which is then heightened by severe contrast. Ultimately, it is the use of black and white, light and dark, which addresses both the influence and tension of the late American photographer on the large format graphite drawings on paper by the English artist living and working in Berlin.
Organized in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, the juxtaposition brings face to face eight selected photographs rarely exhibited – and for some subjects, out of the known taxonomy of S&M, black bodies, flowers, children, or portraits – with eight drawings by Michael Sayles based on ethnological iconography morphed with contemporary fetish objects.
Robert Mapplethorpe/Michael Sayles, installation view (North wall)
Robert Mapplethorpe, installation view (East wall)
Robert Mapplethorpe, Roman Bronze Leg, 1978, silver gelatin, 34 x 44 cm 3/10, private collection, Paris
Robert Mapplethorpe, Bread, 1979, silver gelatin, 34 x 34 cm 3/10, private collection, Ibiza
Robert Mapplethorpe, Leather Mask, 1980, silver gelatin, 34 x 34 cm 2/5, private collection, New York
Robert Mapplethorpe, RM Glass, 1984, silver gelatin, 37 x 37 cm 4/10, private collection, Ibiza
Robert Mapplethorpe, Leg, 1983, silver gelatin, 37 x 37 cm 4/10, private collection, Berlin
Robert Mapplethorpe, Milton Moore, 1981, silver gelatin, 37 x 48 cm 4/10
Robert Mapplethorpe, Shoes on Plates, 1984, silver gelatin, 37 x 48 cm 6/10
Robert Mapplethorpe, Tunnel, 1983, silver gelatin, 37 x 37 cm 4/10, private collections Paris and New York
Michael Sayles, installation view (East wall)
Michael Sayles, Nommo, The God Twins, 2012, graphite on paper 120 x 120 cm, private collection, Berlin
Michael Sayles, Nommo – (African Reliquery #2), 2012, graphite on paper and metal button, 125 x 81 cm, private collection, Berlin
Michael Sayles, Volontary Servitude – (African Reliquery Replicate #3), 2011, graphite on paper and metal button, 120 x 70 cm
Michael Sayles, Adriambahomanana And Andriamahilala, 2011, graphite on paper, 120 x 120 cm, private collection, Berlin
Michael Sayles, Volontary Servitude (African Reliquery Replicate #2), 2011, graphite on paper and metal button, 120 x 70 cm
Michel Sayles, Badino, Agent for the Great God Badino, 2012, graphite on paper, 120 x 75 cm
Michael Sayles, Ataokoloinon, The Lost Sohn Of Ndriananahary, 2012, graphite on paper, 120 x 75 cm
Michael Sayles, installation view (West walls)
Michael Sayles, It Feels Like A Foot Up My Arse, 2011, graphite on paper, metal chain and oak frame, app. 94 x 55 cm
Michael Sayles, Voluntery Servitude – (African Reliquery Replicate #2), 2011, graphite on paper and metal button, 120 x 70 cm, private collection, Berlin
Michael Sayles, Untitled, 2011, graphite on paper, 120 x 76 cm, private collection, New York
Michael Sayles, Self Preservation Unit, 2011, graphite on paper, 150 x 90 cm, private collection, Paris
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