A BROTHERS TOUCH

“My opened shirt blew in the wind—The sun tanning my stomach—Feeling lean and alive and beautiful—Saying I am a man—Saying I love men.” _Louis Graydon Sullivan

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„A Brothers Touch“ is an art project being implemented as part of a residency at Instinct Berlin by Jasper J. Maurer. The work reinterprets the art of Tom of Finland in

a contemporary way and focuses on trans people.

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Tom of Finland‘s illustrations have revolutionized the image of gay men and created a positive, self-confident representation. The inclusion of a trans perspective in the project underscores the fact that cultural representations must evolve to reflect the diversity of queer realities of life.

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In our society, men are often reduced to constricted and traditional notions of masculinity. „A Brothers Touch“ aims to use these exaggerated representations to expose the construction of gender as a performative practice.

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For gay trans individuals, this is of particular importance as they often find themselves
in a world that marginalizes their identities and expression. The project offers a space

in which they celebrate their authenticity, transgress the boundaries of traditional masculinity, and thus set a living act of resistan- ce against the heteronormative norm.

 

A special feature of this project is its participatory design. Jasper J. Maurer allows those photographed to express their own fantasies, desires, and longings through images. This allows participants to actively participate in creating their own representation in art and facilitates visual storytelling. The project also aims to create deeper understanding and coalitions between different gender identities and sexual orientations.

 

„A Brothers Touch“ strives for belonging and community connection between cis and trans people in the arts and within the communities in which they move.

By enabling gay trans and cis people to meet and express their fantasies and desires in artistic ways, the project helps to break down fears of contact and build a bridge between the two groups. Gay cis men can also better understand and support the experiences and challenges of their gay trans brothers, which can lead to a deeper connection and solidarity in the communities.

Carried out as part of a residency at Instinc Berlin from September 2023 to February 2024, the project will be presented as part of a solo show at Village.Berlin.

 

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Fotograf

Jasper J. Maurer is an analog photographer based in Berlin. Combining his art with his nerdiness in to gender and queer theory, his work focuses on the themes of (queer) belonging and sexuality. Jasper is part of the collective „Queer Analog Darkroom“.

Styling

Jo Aspvik (https://www.instagram.com/josefineaspvik/)