Embracing the Absurd: TOILETPAPER X Galerie Blanc
The famous surreal art of Magritte to Dali are variations on the same theme--all exaggerated renditions of reality. However, due to their painted nature, paintings embody a greater possibility for fantasy. Photography is distinct in this way as it entails greater realism. Photographs capture a subject, often in its true nature.
This understanding is challenged by the biannual photography magazine, TOILETPAPER, testing the medium's limits, fusing surrealism with realism. TOILETPAPER merges the absurd, the overstated pop art/ culture with the security of realistic medium photography. This magazine is a passion project of Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari. The two co-created this photography publication and have since expanded their publication to merchandise.
In the summer of 2019, Montreal's Galerie Blanc, an outdoor gallery housed on the streets of downtown Montreal, chose TOILETPAPER photography as the year's art for display. Choosing TOILETPAPER as the featured artwork may be a strategic decision as the absurd is immensely relevant, whether witnessed within politics or pop culture. Individuals may also recognize the absurdity of this modern age yet continue as a new norm.
Likewise, the Galerie Blanc is pressed between customary highrises. The monotone concrete buildings of the city surround the outrageous outdoor gallery, filled with spaghetti printed walls and eye-catching colors. The gallery truly sticks out like a sore thumb while blended into the paths of our habitual lives.
The absurd inevitably becomes less so as individuals become desensitized. The shock value of TOILETPAPER's photographs subsides as one settles with the images and begins to grasp onto their overall relatability. Perhaps, the surreal world of TOILETPAPER magazine is instead based in reality.
Not Far from Absurd: aN aNALYSIS
Pictured on the left represents our reality | Pictured on the right is from TOILETPAPER
(Image I) With the rise of Netflix documentaries, many have explored the controversial industry of animal agriculture. From a young age, many are taught that animal products are healthy and beneficial. However, documentaries such as Cowspiricy, Food Inc., and Vegecated reveal the toxicity of factory farming, harming the animals, environment, and human consumers.
(Image II) The paint placed over countries outside the U.S. is consistent with the rhetoric surrounding Trump's presidency. The sentiment of the image reflects a meeting held with Trump and a group of bipartisan senators. In this meeting, attendants discussed the topic of U.S. immigration policy. To which Trump stated, "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?"
(Image III) Hilarious breakout star Cardi B reached record highs with her song "I Like It." One line that stands out from the others chants, "I like those Balenciagas, the ones that look like socks." Cardi B calls out none other than the Balenciaga sock sneakers. Similarly, other luxury fashion brands are following this sock trend, enforcing their prominence in popular culture.