OuUnPo in Amsterdam
We are proud to announce an exhibition and the release of the second OuUnPo publication in Amsterdam. The exhibition and event forms a part of the FLAM (Forum of Live Art in Amsterdam VIII). The exhibition is entitled Shinjuku Ni-chōme (2018) is a series of photographs showing a daytime view on closed entrances of bars in Tokyo’s main gay district. While their doors are shut, their names linger as an invitation.
The photographs are published in the book Whispering Catastrophe. On the Language of Men Loving Men in Japan. It will be launched at RONGWRONG as part of FLAM Encounter Events. Whispering Catastrophe originates from the OuUnPo session in Tokyo and Yokohamam in 2013. After seeing the subtle use of censorship to trigger erotic desire in Japanese homoerotic vintage magazines – Miliani and Giannini started to research the mis/uses of language by the Japanese gay community in a historical perspective.
The book is the outcome of their journey inside a language unknown to them, one which unfolded through rumors, masks and translations. From the erotic whispers of legendary gay activist Tōgō Ken, to the veiled images of underground photographer Kurū Haga, the book follows the movements of a language of desire that constantly adopts and transforms names, appearing and disappearing, telling us that what we are not is much more important than what we are.
The project is supported by Helge Ax:son Johnsons stiftelse and Längmanska kulturfonden.
