TAL R: Babylonia

Don Juan in Babylon

Over the years, Tal R has built up an archive of more than 1,000 images showing the facades of sex shops. From 2014 to 2017, he drew around 150 sheets based on the archive motifs. The advertising lettering on the façades points to the wide-ranging origins of the images; English, Italian, German, French and Danish names are reminiscent of the international locations. Lush and sparse, colourful and inconspicuous house fronts alternate. Doors, windows and lettering form the essential elements of the façades. Sometimes female bodies are incorporated into the compositions, sometimes floral shapes or patterns of hearts, architectural ornamentation and awnings. The views of the façades therefore alternate between ordinary and exotic. There are houses that remain silent about their function and content, while there are others that brag about what they have to offer. The French titles sound romantic, the German ones vulgar or generic. Customers will probably react correctly and skilfully to the information on the façade. From the "Shop", where you buy, to the villa "Les Roses", where you dream, everything is available. (Excerpt from the text by Siegfried Gohr)

Exhibition:
CFA Contemporary Fine Arts Berlin, 9/9 - 21/10/2017