Thursday, June 24, 2021

TROJAN ART

I have always enjoyed Philadelphia chorographer and performance artist, Gunnar Montana. His work is fun, vibrant, woke, and often gives no fucks. Like his current art installation where he partnered with Trojan Condoms to design and construct a photoshoot set out of 2,500 of their Bareskin Lubricated condoms. Yes he did!!

Gunnar's work has appeared in festivals,galleries and event spaces, across our region, to mixed reviews but there is no denying his installation and exhibits will make you feel something. Infusing movement and visual arts, Gunnar's work refuses to be defined, and will often blur lines. I first became familiar with him with a exhibit he had at a gallery called Kink Haus, I believe, and have loved him and his work since. His artistry as a whole is an array of visual installations, prop based chorography, set design, costume design, transformation of an atmosphere and innovative movement concepts and ideas. Gunnar is taking his growing reputation as an artist and choreographer with a healthy measure of realism too. And he has no intentions of getting bigger or going off to make it big in NYC. He just wants to be heard and to be able to make work.  He has a clear idea of what he wants to do...and does it, and where he can do it best. He defines himself as a visual physical artist, in the sense that his work is based on visual art, and it's often immersive, which is why, being so very visual myself, I like his work. His newest project Safe Station, specializes in creating safe spaces for people to express themselves...and he took the opportunity to build a super gay bedroom and then invited a handful of his colorful, queer friends to come and be photographed in it. So many messages pulled into this...and positive ones...and he pulls it off beautifully I think. Play safe, enjoy sex, vibrant, colorful, blurring gender lines, be the freak you want to be!!!

Now if Gunnar doesn't know what to do  with all those condoms when the set is taken down...call me Mr. Montana...I can think of quite a few ways to use them.....I have a king size bed too...

39 comments:

  1. It's a gay bedroom alright, but not one for sleeping in methinks

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    1. A friend of mine was surprised I didn't already have a pillow made on condoms!

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  2. WOW. Kids today! LOL. So envious. Seriously... they have these amazing imaginations and get things done in a quality manner. And so much going on there... it's theatre, minus the script. I mean, why get bogged down with a story when you can allow the audience to create their own? The visuals are stunning. What a gifted person. And such high quality. Technology has allowed artists to truly find their voices - through social media, and the high-tech cameras and photo shop... how vibrant. Thanks for sharing this, hon. You have your fingers on the pulse of what's happening! Kizzes.

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    1. Shall I save you a condom pillow for your visit?

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  3. Who knew Trojans were so versatile?

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  4. If you make pillows of condoms then you are always ready.

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  5. In all my years never thought I see a whole room made of condoms!!! But he pulled it off and with such a great all welcoming message. And yes vibrant! Philly certainly has some great artist talents.

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  6. This is brilliant ... and so you! I think these images should adorn the Trojan boxes. And speaking of Trojan, I think I saw a couple of horses in the pix.

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  7. LOL!! I LOVE IT! A great commercial for condom use - and to help normalize the use. I mean, seriously, when's the last time you saw a commercial for them on the telly?

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  8. Oh, dear, I thought this was going to be an expose on condoms.

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  9. Love Gunnar. I think I posted about his Super Gay Barbie. So creative, so with it. And he looks fantastic. What else is there to ask for?
    And he's a sweetheart! I follow him on Insta and he's always super nice when I DM him. He's adorable too.
    Glad you posted about him. I was gonna talk about this. Are you peeping through my window? Again?

    XOXO

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    1. Im beginning to wonder who's looking in who's windows with you two.

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    2. Hahahaha
      It's uncanny!

      XOXO

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    3. If Six keeps peering in my windows, he's gonna get a real eye full one of these days.

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    4. Well with his garden apartment it might be easier to look in his windows. Oh wait, there aren’t any.

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    5. See Huntley...now we know who's peering in who's window!!!!

      Not that I would mind.

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  10. Wow! This certainly gives a new meaning to the term "rubber room"!

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    1. AHAHAHA -- good one, Ms. Deedles!

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    2. Some days, I could use a rubber room Duchess!

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  11. The photos of Gunnar's friends in the Safe Space room are brilliant! Especially those in which the subject is smiling or laughing - it's infectious!

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  12. That's is awesome!!!! Good thing you weren't there to help him install this. You guys may never have gotten done with this install. You know...trying out the condoms.....

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    1. Ohhhh a pas de deux with the Mistress and Gunnar? Sign me up!

      XOXO

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    2. I have the feeling we'd be doing more than dancing!!! How about a Ménage à trois?

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    3. I think there’s enough volunteers for an orgy.

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  13. I've never seen a Trojan fly-swatter before... that's why I like your blog, Mistress Maddie, there's always something avant garde to see, LOL!

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  14. What a fun way to use Trojans!

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Who knew right? And I thought they made just fun water balloons.

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  15. Geez, I never though a pillow case made of Trojans would be so handy. Well, for some of us anyway!

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  16. I let him tap this! But how damn creative is this? I have never heard of him.

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  17. he is talented! Such amazing art and gorgeous people being themselves.

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  18. OMG! This art installation though?!?!?! This is beyond! I have met him several time pre-pandemic at various events. He's very welcoming. Brian Simms was also at said event FYI.

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    1. You know I would have shot in my pants with those two both there.

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  19. Gunnar is sex on a stick! Love his art and point of views.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!