An exhibition of "TOILETPAPER," a project by contemporary artist Maurizio Cattelan and photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari known for their bold hyper-realistic photographs that break down the motifs and stereotypes of fashion photography, will be held at PERROTIN TOKYO from November 22nd.


Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari co-published the experimental art magazine "Toilet Paper" in 2010. This unique magazine is composed entirely of photographs, each carefully composed to create a unique time and mental space. The compositions of the photographs in "Toilet Paper" are at first glance quirky and somewhat retro, yet captivating, comical, and astonishing. They etch their image into the viewer's mind.

The "Toilet Paper" series is inspired by "found images" found on the internet and in magazines, and their leitmotif is the deconstruction of stereotypes in fashion, advertising, and film. Furthermore, their eclectic mix of objects, from consumer goods to food to all manner of animals, echoes the work of Maurizio Cattelan. They chose magazines as their artistic platform to reach the widest possible audience. "Our inspiration is the reuse of images. Toilet Paper is at the forefront of media and creative eco-sustainability. The chaotic visuals, created through a chaotic approach, create a new identity," they say. In 2012, "Toilet Paper" was exhibited on the High Line Billboard in New York City. That same year, they published an anthology of selected photographs from volumes 1-6, complete with accompanying captions, which was reviewed in The New York Times' Top 10 Photo Books. In 2013, their work was featured in the front window of the Palais de Tokyo and in a special issue of Liberation. That same year, they catapulted into the spotlight with their signature hypersaturated, surrealist approach to KENZO's advertising campaign. Cattelan and Ferrari's creative output extends beyond magazines and contemporary photography to include furniture, clothing, art objects, and books. In 2016, they worked with the French band Cassius on the album cover for "Ibifornia" and the video clip for their hit song "Action." The video clip animates the photographs from "Toilet Paper," telling the surreal story of Philippe Zdar and Hubert Boombass teleporting to the island of "Ibifornia."