ER - A - (S...)ER

1. Michael Krebber Systemic Relevance, 2014
2. Jil Sander Fall/Winter 1998
3. Jil Sander Spring/Summer 1996
4. Ed Ruscha Rabbit, 1986

Flying from Krebber to Ruscha via Sander. For obvious reasons, I am still faithful to the brand. Although left anonymous now. But besides all personality talk, it is the moment and concept that count.
/HORST

I Want To Break Free

Queen - I Want To Break Free 1984

A hymn. A song that always reminds me of the work of McDermott & McGough. The reason why it is okay to wear a cow-pattern leotard, pointy tits and sing while vacuum cleaning. The reason why it is okay to be Lady Gaga. And why we should never forget where we are coming from.
/HORST

Tokyo Diaries XVII

A mental travel preparation.

Joseph Beuys Nikka Whisky, 1984

And then you suddenly realize that 'Lost In Translation' should have been based on German Fluxus super artist Joseph Beuys. Politically engaged posing with a glass of whisky amidst a snowy forest, advertising for the good cause of protecting nature.
/HORST

Tokyo Diaries VIII

A mental travel preparation.

Kenji Sawada Water Skin (Parco View 6), 1980

Parco, the department store, liberated a country. With pubic hair and nudity dominating the campaigns and visual identity created by the likes of Eiko Ishioka and Harumi Yamaguchi. One should come prepared.
/HORST

Tokyo Diaries V

A mental travel preparation.

Ikuo Amano Shiseido クレ・ド・ポー

Intensity is what I expect. Purity is what I assume. There is nothing but pink lipstick - the world and every human being immersed in its lucid gloss. I want to be blinded by artificial beauty.
/HORST

2 Fathers, 1 Son

1. Norbert Bisky Salò II, 2010
2. Eric Fischl Dark Figure, 1989
3. Salomé Lodge Couple, 1983
4. Salomé In The Pond, 1986
5. Salomé Big Surf II, 1985
6. Norbert Bisky Bombenfischer, 2005
7. Salomé Im Seerosenteich, 1982
8. Eric Fischl Swimming Lovers, 1984
9. Eric Fischl The Day the Shah Ran By, 1982
10. Norbert Bisky First Cut, 2009
11. Salomé Nude, 1980

Gay parenthood is metaphorical and hyperbolical. Relationships are built without genetics; it is a chosen family. And just like 'Golden Girls', Salomé, Eric and Norbert build the visual triangle of a vacation at the sea. Postcards from a dysfunctional family.
/HORST

Poster Beuys

1. Joseph Beuys Multiples, 1972
2. Joseph Beuys Joseph Beuys, 1980

Joseph, the poster boy. The man who made hat, fur coat and utility vest a fashion trademark; registered R. When Andy gets jealous and bottles as artworks make for a cover girl, one could rejoin 'fat fame'.
/HORST

Barbara Did It First? II

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Remember Me), 1988
2. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2013

Barbara wants 'You' to 'Remember' 'Her'. Raf 'Will Do Her' this favour. And with this in mind, maybe appropriation is about remembrance? About the not-forgotten and will-not-be-forgotten. In a world where information passes through so fast, we hardly notice it was ever there.
/HORST

A Short History Of Typography In Popular Culture VII

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Your Gaze Hits The Side Of My Face), 1981
2. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2002
3. Jay-Z Magna Carta Holy Grail, 2013
4. Barbara Kruger Untitled (I Shop Therefore I Am), 1987
5. Helmut Lang Fall/Winter 1997
6. Bruce Weber Helmut Lang, Fall/Winter 1997
7. Acne Spring/Summer 2013
8. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Are We Having Fun Yet?), 1987
9. Acne Spring/Summer 2013
10. Barbara Kruger Untitled (You Are Not Yourself), 1982
11. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 1998

Barbara Krüger collaborates with Kanye West. Louise Bourgeois poses for Helmut Lang. Raf Simons quotes the Sex Pistols. What they share is a 'cut and paste' approach and sense for the censored message. Black bars and red markers constitute their visual language. An advertisement for feminism, hedonism and consumerism. Are we having fun yet?
/HORST