Juergen Teller, a name synonymous with a distinct and often provocative photographic style, recently unveiled his latest exhibition, ‘you are invited,’ at Onassis Ready in Athens. Much like his work, Teller himself communicates with a compelling economy of words, yet his insights reveal a profound depth. Speaking from his Notting Hill studio, clad in a signature flamingo-pink sweater, Teller discussed the exhibition that encapsulates three decades of his influential career, including works captured just weeks prior to its opening.
The Genesis of ‘You Are Invited’: A Story of Serendipity and Connection
The title of the exhibition, ‘you are invited,’ is characteristically open and welcoming, a direct reflection of Teller’s approach to his art and life. The inspiration for this seemingly simple yet profound title emerged serendipitously during an assignment for Harper’s Bazaar Italia. While photographing models in churches, Teller received a leaflet in the mail with the phrase ‘you are invited’ printed on it. This seemingly mundane event concluded a series of meaningful occurrences that ultimately shaped the exhibition’s name, transforming a casual invitation into a powerful curatorial theme.
From Pope Francis to Personal Reflections: A Diverse Tapestry of Work
The exhibition is a rich tapestry of Teller’s diverse portfolio, seamlessly blending fashion and art photography with deeply personal works. A highlight includes his poignant photographs of Pope Francis, taken during a visit to a women’s prison in Venice. Teller, who had long admired Pope Francis’s moral standing and photogenic presence, describes the experience as ‘a deep experience – how he talked to them and how these women reacted to him being there.’ These images, full of warmth and playfulness, exemplify Teller’s unique ability to capture genuine human connection.
Beyond the papal portraits, the exhibition features iconic works such as the stunning image of Björk and her son Sindri in an Icelandic hot spring, Victoria Beckham emerging from a shopping bag, and his ‘ugly-beautiful’ portraits for Loewe. Also on display is the viral animal-paint campaign for Duran Lantink’s AW25 collection, alongside more intimate series like ‘Guten Morgen Sonnenschein,’ a diptych documenting his morning routine with his wife, Dovile Drizyte, and their surroundings.
Breaking Down Boundaries: Art, Commercialism, and the Personal Lens
Teller has long transcended the traditional boundaries between commercial and art world photography. While he once intentionally separated these facets of his work, as seen in his 2013 ICA London show ‘Woo!’, his current exhibition demonstrates a complete melding of these worlds. ‘The kind of work I did with Duran or Jonathan Anderson goes beyond just a fashion photograph,’ he asserts. This philosophy extends to his personal life, where even the most intimate moments become subjects for his lens, blurring the lines between private and public, art and everyday existence.
‘The Most Personal’ Yet: A Fairytale Depiction of Reality
Despite being described as his ‘most personal’ exhibition to date, Teller emphasizes that ‘you are invited’ is not an exposé. He offers a ‘fairytale’ depiction of his life, carefully curated to evoke emotion and thought without revealing every personal detail. This approach is evident in works like the double-exposure images of him and Drizyte frolicking naked in the sand, complemented by an excerpt from Aristophanes’ speech on the pursuit of a lost third gender. These works explore themes of connection and identity, reflecting the deep bond he shares with his wife: ‘We do everything together, from the morning to the evening. Even our thinking becomes very, very similar. I wanted this idea of our two bodies morphing into each other.’
Teller’s enduring practice of self-portraiture, which began around 2000, further underscores his evolving self-awareness. Initially a response to the ‘vanity of celebrities,’ it became a way for him to explore the experience of being photographed and to challenge conventional notions of beauty and fame. This self-referentiality has become increasingly meta, exemplified by his decision to restage his own iconic photographs with his youngest daughter, Iggy, named after Iggy Pop.
The Art of the ‘Snapshot’: Meticulous Staging and Deep Sensitivity
While Teller’s work often appears raw and spontaneous, he insists it is anything but a ‘snapshot.’ ‘Everything is meticulously staged and worked on. I think a lot about how I want to execute something,’ he explains. This meticulousness, combined with a deep sensitivity to the world around him, allows him to transform profound life experiences-from the suicide of his father to his encounters with Nirvana-into compelling visual narratives.
The exhibition, ‘you are invited,’ is a testament to Teller’s philosophy: to absorb and be sensitive to the world around you. It’s a journey through his artistic evolution, presented not didactically, but through the cumulative experience of seeing each image together. When asked what he hopes people take away from the show, Teller pauses before responding. ‘A deep sense of adventure. Hopefully, they feel inspired about their own life and making their own choices.’ This, ultimately, is the invitation he extends to every visitor.
Juergen Teller’s ‘you are invited’ is on at Onassis Ready, Athens, until December 30, 2025.
Source: https://10magazine.com/juergen-teller-athens-exhibition-you-are-invited-10-issue-8/
