acte2Galerie, Paris : Susanne Junker & Philippe Assalit - opening - Geiles Globales Gesicht

Following her exhibition of September 2008 in Shanghai, which we have already reported on, the exhibition opening on 29 April 2009, was equally as successful. GoSee presents photographs of the opening night.

“Geil” is a German word which is difficult for the rest of the world to understand – it either means amazingly fantastic, unbelievable, magnificent – or in more direct terms – from sexy to perversely pretty, basically sexually driven. This word was the concept behind Susanne Junker's latest photo project, which is currently being exhibited in Paris.

Following intense and perpetual make-up sittings, the artist realized 12 self-portraits, which symbolise both anonymous and cultural themes, as well as a silent protest. The make-up application and concept was provided by GUDRUN Mueller c/o BIGOUDI, Hamburg.

In keeping with the tradition of Chinese opera, where characters are exclusively and perfectly personified through male actors, the masks are tightly connected to a specific role, an image or cultural theme. This is where the alluring contradiction lies: Susanne, the person behind the mask and the role is that of a young, self confident and attractive woman. The result interferes with what we take for granted visually – and not only in China.

Those that are familiar with Susanne’s work, will know that this isn’t her first project that deals with the depiction of roles. The photographer, who travels the world from her homes in Shanghai and Paris, wants to draw attention to the paradoxes of China’s struggling citizens.

The exhibition closes on 12 June 2009

acte2Galerie - 41 rue d'Artois - 75008 Paris
www.acte2photo.com