Pierre et Gilles, Double Je, 1976-2007

30 years of Pierre & Gilles

Pierre et Gilles create dreamy portraits that transport their subjects—as well as the viewers—into an alternate world where camp, pop, burlesque, religion, and eroticism mingle in perfect harmony. Creating the sets themselves, and with Pierre as photographer and Gilles as painter/elaborator, they create one-of-a-kind artworks of an unmistakably original style. A host of stars has passed before their lens, such as Iggy Pop, Madonna, Marc Almond, Nina Hagen, Catherine Deneuve, Laetitia Casta, Marilyn Manson, Mireille Mathieu… though many of their portraits also feature unknowns.

Marking the 30th anniversary of their collaboration, this retrospective brings together 300 works, with a special emphasis on works from the past ten years. Also included is a tribute text by the artist Jeff Koons, who insists that “it’s hard to think of contemporary culture without the influence of Pierre and Gilles.” Truly, their unique vision has become part of the fabric of modern aesthetics, from photography and art to fashion and popular culture. Fans and newcomers alike will covet this sweeping exploration of Pierre et Gilles’s dreamy, lovely world.

About the author:
Paul Ardenne is a historian of art and culture. A university teacher, his publications on modern culture (visual arts, aesthetics and architecture) include Art, l'âge contemporain, L'Image Corps, Un Art contextuel, Terre habitée, Extrême. Paul Ardenne is also a curator (Micropolitiques, La Force de l'art) and critic, notably for Art press (Paris).