Pseudonymous photographers Gert and Gisela (G+G) made their New York City debut with the eponymously named Gert+Gisela at Gallery 71 at 974 Lexington Avenue at the corner of 71st Street on October 1st.
The exhibition is now on view through October 31 and features over 24 playful and erotic works captured by the enigmatic photography duo in luxury hotel suites and other exclusive venues across the globe. Through their captivating double-nude portraits, the exhibition shines a light on the themes of connection, beauty, and female empowerment.
The signature image of the exhibition is Wir Feiern Mardi Gras I (We Celebrate Mardi Gras I), in which the couple capture themselves relaxing after parading during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Traditionally masked, Gert carries the most prized parade throw of Fat Tuesday: a coconut bestowed on them by the entourage of King Zulu.
In the work Die Beziehung Geht Weiter (The Relationship Continues), you find the pair In a hotel suite in Bonn, Germany. The artists pause to collaborate in their mutual reverence for the absurd. Gisela reads The Great Gatsby in Italian while an affectionate Gert holds her hand from beneath the coffee table and consumes a ripe banana. Further meaning and nuance are joyfully left to the imagination of the viewer.
Some of the images in the exhibition are contemporary in appearance, and others reference earlier forms of imagery. In Gisela Liegt am Sofa (Gisela Lies on a Sofa), Gisela is seen draped across a loveseat in the manner of a classic Odalisque. The original photographic negative was made with a century-old Kodak folding camera, contributing to the print’s timeless appearance. As with all photographs in which Gisela serves as a model, she is a full collaborator in its development and display.
Members of the upper echelons of society, G+G are on a mission to push societal boundaries and to nudge both their affluent peers and lovers of art out of their comfort zones—reminding them about the pleasure of being alive. “We wanted to craft something joyful, erotic, and accessible—a fresh take on nude photography that invites the viewer to share in the grace and intimacy of the moment,” Gert explains.
While Gisela started as a model in front of the camera, she soon became interested in the artistic process and became a photography collaborator. This equal relationship between G+G is an essential aspect of their work, as they aim to challenge the traditional male-centric approach to nude photography, with Gisela taking an active role in directing and shaping the final images.
“Germany’s culture of nudity as something supportive of physical, mental and spiritual health is not always easily understood by a U.S. audience,” Gisela says. “By inviting the viewer to consider what might at first be surprising or even shocking about each photograph, we are hoping to start conversations about expectations that we typically hold about both society and ourselves.”
G+G prefer to work in collaboration in film and digital, the situation dictating their choice. The work is about capturing and sharing those fleeting moments where beauty, history, and craftsmanship come together to create something a touch erotic, a greater touch irreverent and always tasteful and respectful. Luxury, a theme found throughout the exhibition, in its truest form, is a celebration of life’s finest details, a pursuit of excellence that touches the soul. It’s a seductiveness and allure, a sense of taking you out of yourself into a different place. It offers moments that inspire us, whether through photography or fashion, to share that sense of grace with others.
Gallery 71 is located at 974 Lexington Avenue and open from Monday – Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday from 10:00pm – 5:00pm. You can learn more about the exhibition by visiting the website here, https://gallery71.com/.
