KesselsKramer's book of Useful Photography #008
Pornographic material doesn’t often make the cut on wallpaper.com, but we made an exception for KesselsKramer’s 8th volume of found photography.
See more from Useful Photography #008
Useful Photography #008 takes the clothed pictures from porn shoots, the ones that, in the flimsiest sense, set the scene for the ensuing carnal pursuits. In their original context of course, they’re barely given a second glance, but it’d be impolite to get straight down to business without a more formal introduction, however cursory.
Grouped together, and away from their ruder consequences, they tell a different story; one of clashing colours, ill-fitting clothes and unlikely props. If you didn’t know the premise behind the project you’d think it a momentary lapse of madness in Erik Kessels’ ingenious creative agency.
Knowing, albeit not seeing, what comes next makes for humorous viewing, still not totally devoid of the tension the originals were intended to drum up. Although clothed it doesn’t take much to guess what a man carrying a pizza box with ‘big sausage’ scrawled on it might get up to next.
Recontextualising found photographs and curating them into books and exhibitions is Kessels’ speciality. Useful Photography #008 is the eighth title in the popular series; previous subjects include missing persons’ photographs, amateur trophy winners and professional trade images of cows.
Alongside the book’s release, KK Outlet, KesselsKramer’s London bureau and shop, is hosting an exhibition of the originals.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
ADDRESS
KK Outlet
42 Hoxton Square
N1 6PB
-
2024's most visually-arresting films
The best films of the year merged inventive narratives with transportive visuals. Here are Wallpaper's top 10 of 2024.
By Nick Levine Published
-
Casa Dragones' 'Quiote Bar' evokes the essence of agave fields and terroir'
Casa Dragones' Quiote Bar is designed by Gloria Cortina who blended modernity and myth to create a tequila bar inspired by a flowering stalk of the agave plant
By Henrietta Thompson Published
-
Year in review: the top 10 cars of 2024, selected by transport editor Jonathan Bell
What are our cars of the year? We’ve scoured the archives to unveil the machines that most impressed us over the past 12 months, from retro revivals to high-tech EVs
By Jonathan Bell Published