lately I have been reading a lot about Germany - particularlyBerlin - after WWII but prior to the wall coming down in 1989. I began this modern history exploration mainly because of my planned Berlin sabbatical next year, but have since been sucked in completely to this fascinating period in history, specifically to this city of contradictions (which I think may suit me quite well)...
These images are particularly fascinating to me, even though I had heard about a thriving underground arts scene during the GDR years, these images really bring the rawness and underground nature of the time to the fore!
The photographer - Olaf Martens (who does not like to be compared to Helmut Newton) says that "in regards to sexuality, the GDR was completely immoral, especially if judged by Western standards". I can believe it... There is a fantastic element of almost fatalism to these images.
I found these images as well as a fascinating interview with Olaf Martens on Der Spiegel
2 comments:
That image at the bottom is incredible...
I know, these images capture something amazing, and so peculiarly specific to their time and place. beautiful brutal.
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