KARL

Text by Danny Calvi

'Lap, b' is an unframed inkjet print,
200 x 135 cm by Wolfgang Tillmans

Frieze week tip: Wolfgang Tillmans’ exhibition ‘central nervous system’ at Maureen Paley sees the photographer display another sharply edited collection of photographs, this time dedicated to a single subject, his former assistant, Karl. The thirty photos on display capture Karl sitting, standing, sleeping, smoking, with and without glasses; there are close-ups of Karl’s eye, wrist, shoulder, navel, nipple, neck, armpit, kneecap, ears and toes.

BUTT readers are already familiar with Wolfgang’s working relationship with Karl since the handsome German was first seen on one of two covers for BUTT 29. Indeed, some of the photos from that issue are on display in the show. We also spotted several images of Karl’s parts which appear more recently in the 2014 BUTT calendar.

‘central nervous system’ runs from 14 October to 24 November 2013 at Maureen Paley in London, which is at 21 Herald Street, E2 6JT in London, United Kingdom. For more info head over the the gallery’s website.