GAY NEWS

Portfolio - Karim Konrad’s Berlin Gay Mates

by Julien Beyle, in Films & Books , posted 21 June 2007
When I come across something really surprising amidst the hundredth Bel Ami book, Howard Roffman’s fiftieth twink collection and the umpteenth issue of “XYfoto” with photographs by Sean Bentz in the male photography section of the bookshop, that’s truly a joy. I was given such a joy when I noticed Karim Konrad’s “Berlin Gay Mates.” It’s not a large book, but with 368 pages it’s a fat book. And then to realize that there are even more photographs in it!Karim Konrad is a rather young photographer, born in 1979, and his models stem from the same generation. Moreover, these are clearly pure city lads. I don’t know how you can know this: the occasional tattoo in odd spots, the Prince Albert piercing in a dick, the standard shaved genitals, the dildos and other sex toys, or the shocking pink wig on model Marcel Schlutt’s head? Whatever it might be, these guys are urban, cosmopolitan and eroticism emanating city dwellers and not fresh country boys. This suggestion is furthered by the, often crammed, colorful apartments in which Konrad has situated his models.
Fellow photographer Reed Massengill calls Konrad’s photos “coloured orgies,” which Konrad endorses whole-heartedly and which is his way of capturing the energy of Berlin: “The best way to interpret that energy is to show it through a lot of colours. This city has so many crazy worlds, sexy types and coolness.” Konrad experiences the German capital as a brimming mix of “chaos, good food, damn beautiful men, heartbreaks, fast love, culture, crazy people, artists, liberty and good bars.” In his photographs he tries to style this hectic atmosphere and since some of those “damn beautiful men” obliged him by posing in front of his camera, “Berlin Gay Mates” is a book to enjoy, even if you’re not one of those aficionados of urban bustle yourself.