Before toilet paper became the norm in the 1960s, newspapers were used for intimate hygiene. Perhaps it is in reference to this dark era that Cattelan and Ferrari created one of the most ironic magazines in contemporary art.
But did you know that behind this famous magazine, Toiletpaper, hide two equally subversive artists?
Maurizio Cattelan
Born in Padua (Italy) in 1960 and based in New York, this artist saw his first successes in contemporary art in the late 2000s. He has made a name for himself in recent years through various events and creations. It is through his work that he likes to provoke, or even shock, his audience.
We were able to discover his irreverence in La Nona Ora (1999), where he did not hesitate to portray himself as a life-sized wax statue of Pope John Paul II being crushed by a meteorite. Because he did not like the fact that the first buyer resold the piece, he went so far as to duct-tape the face of the gallery owner who had sold it to a wall so that he could sell himself.
Beyond the various productions, each more provocative than the last (the solid gold toilet seat America, the statue of Hitler on his knees Him…), the intervention that caused the most stir is undoubtedly Comedian. This banana attached to a wall with a large piece of duct tape refers to conceptual art and Marcel Duchamp's Fountain. After three copies were sold for between €120,000 and €150,000 each, the artist David Datuna "completed" the work on his own initiative by eating one of the copies. He explained his action, itself titled Hungry Artist, as a desire to denounce the exorbitant prices of the art market while more than 95% of artists are reportedly poor.
"Comedian", 2019.
Cattelan began publishing in 2010 with Permanent Food, a magazine in collaboration with Paola Manfrin. In a way, a preamble to Toiletpaper, Permanent Food is a cannibalistic magazine made of stolen photos, reworked and taken out of their context.
Pierpaolo Ferrari
The other half of the duo is Pierpaolo Ferrari. Born in 1964 in Milan, he is an advertising photographer. From 1994, he worked in agencies such as BBDO and Saatchi & Saatchi while photographing major brands such as BMW, Nike, Audi, Mercedes, Sony, Heineken, MTV, and Campari. Ferrari joined the world of the press with Le Dictateur in 2006, a magazine about art and luxury. He also entered the fashion world with publications in Vogue Homme, Elle, and by working on campaigns for Kenzo and Emporio Armani.
Toiletpaper exhibition opening, 2016
ToiletPaper
In 2010, the two companions founded the magazine Toiletpaper. At the intersection of the perspectives of Cattelan and Ferrari, and under the artistic direction of Micol Taslo, Toiletpaper is the magazine of kitsch, cringe, and the disturbing. Each edition exists as a standalone or in a special version, accompanied by an unusual object. A number of collaborations have taken place with other artists and brands.
One might think of the magazine and the magnificent book created with photographer Martin Parr.
Toilet Paper Magazine, here
Another very beautiful collaboration with Kenzo began in 2013. The trio of Cattelan, Ferrari, and Taslo was completed here by Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, both artistic directors of the brand. Together, they developed the magazine Kenzine.
Beyond special editions and collaborations, Toiletpaper and its concept extend to various mediums. Ranging from tableware to laptop sleeves, to mirrors that are as funny as they are shady, The End poufs, clothing, masks, and even a new jewelry collection, you can live Toiletpaper throughout the day.
You can find the world of Toiletpaper on the The Woods website or at the store at 17 rue André del Sarte in Paris.