There are many unseen and unspoken negative impacts of the pandemic. Previously thriving communities have been stifled, especially those that exist outside of mainstream society. The Berlin kink scene is a perfect example. When the clubs shut, it took away the places where people could meet and express their sexuality. Conversely, it also provided the conditions for new projects to emerge and fulfill unmet needs. The Voyeur.Berlin.Kinky book is one such unexpected upside
A collaboration between the renowned promoter, author and artist Christoph Steinweg and kink-centric photographer Gil Shani, Voyeur. Berlin. Kinky. tells the stories of those who thrive on the city’s love of sexploration. The pair visited hundreds of people in the intimacy of their own homes, empowering them to pose in front of the camera and reveal themselves in ways that were in tune with their personalities. The result is an incredible book that gives a unique insight into the people who form the fabric of Berlin, and provides a valuable platform from which they could show the world who they are.
We spoke with Chris to find out more about how the project came to life.
Take us right back to the beginning, what inspired you to create a book, and how did the idea evolve into a reality?
It was last year, shortly after the beginning of the first lockdown. My friend, the photographer Gili Shani, came to me on a livestream and told me that he had spoken with models during the time that the clubs were closed – especially patrons of KitKat in particular – to photograph them at home. Unfortunately, after the first few photoshoots, no one else came forward. That’s why he asked me for my help because I know many people in the Berlin kink scene. I liked the idea of it straight away. And so we decided to turn it into a joint project. I made an appeal and the very next day already over 100 people had registered their interest. I also secured a publisher. Then everything got underway. For around two months we went all over Berlin, having up to four photoshoots a day and visiting over 250 people in very intimate settings – in their homes. The author Charlotte Spitzner loved the project from the beginning and contributed 16 wonderful short pieces of text to the book.
This project sees you working in collaboration with your friend and official KitKat photographer Gil Shani. Can you give us an insight into your vision for the book, was there a particular story you sought to tell?
In a time when all the clubs were closed because of coronavirus there were no events, no “stages” for the kinky scene anymore. Then we asked ourselves, how would it be if we met these people at home, in their sexy outfits? For them to pose, for them to play. It’s very intimate and personal. We wanted to show these people who, during the pandemic, had withdrawn into the private sphere. We wanted to give these people a new stage.
We wanted to show these people who, during the pandemic, had withdrawn into the private sphere.
Perhaps the book title tells the reader all they need to know, but for someone picking it up for the first time, what can they hope to learn about Berlin’s kink culture?
The first line illustrates the world as a very, very heterogeneous place: these people are having fun, they like to present themselves, they are creative and diverse, that these aren’t “perverted little games” that they’re playing. It shows how they have a free, self-determined approach to themselves, to their desire, their sexuality, their ideas of coexistence and freedom. This book should encourage, give insights and direct people to attempt to look beyond the limits of their own lives.
In creating Voyeur. Berlin. Kinky. you were not only taken on a journey across Berlin, but also deep into the private sphere of 250 Berliners. How did you connect with the people you met? Furthermore, how did you earn their trust and gain access to their intimate worlds?
I’ve moved within this world for years. I organize the Symbiotikka party every Wednesday at KitKat, the kinky Techno Breakfast Club every Sunday at ASeven Club, the sex positive FLEISCHESLUST festival and many more events. I am a mouthpiece for Berlin’s BDSM scene and, because of this, I’m of course also friends with many people from the scene. Through a couple of posts on our Instagram and Facebook pages, people came together very quickly. And the respect I have for these people meant that we earned their trust.
It was a great experience with all these wonderful people, to meet them completely privately at home.
As a photographer used to capturing images in a crowded club, how did entering a more subdued environment compare, and what impact did this have on your images?
Of course, this sort of photographic work is something much different to when it’s in a club. It was a great experience with all these wonderful people, to meet them completely privately at home. Through a keyhole, they gave us an insight into their intimate lives. This gave me the opportunity to talk to many of them properly for the first time and not just to briefly say hello, as would be the case in a club. We got to know these completely varied living situations, from the smallest shared room to the biggest villa. That was very exciting.
Of all of the photographs featured in the book, is there one that particularly resonates with you?
Honestly, not really. There are too many. We took over 17,000 photos. And, because I also designed the book, I had the difficult task of selecting the right photographs for it. That was the biggest challenge for me. With every decision I was again unsure whether it was really the best image from the series. That was a creative ordeal.
We’d love to know more about the people you met whilst on this journey, and the stories they had to tell. How have they been affected by the closure of clubs since the pandemic?
Behind every image there is a person, a life, a desire, a fetish, a passion. That’s what makes the whole thing so enjoyable. Almost all of these people have decided to do something, namely to stand for themselves and their sexuality, and to show this with a certain pride. Of course, the parties, the clubs and the events are important meeting points for this scene. They connect people, they also give many a kind of home and family. The standstill caused by the coronavirus pandemic has hit many people hard.
Was everyone open to being featured in the book, and willing to share a glimpse into their private world with you, or did holding a camera create some resistance along the way?
I was astounded by how easy the collaborations with so many of the participants were. About 95% of the people in the book aren’t professionally involved in modelling, performance or sex. They’re completely normal people with different jobs and backgrounds. But all of them were proud to be a part of this project. They wanted to show themselves, they wanted to be seen and to be heard.
Out of this a community, a project, and hope was born.
In looking at something through a lens, a photograph brings the world into sharp focus, somehow helping us to make sense of it. At a time of so much uncertainty, did you find this to be the case? Was this project a cathartic experience for you?
For me and Gili, this project was primarily a thing of survival. We had a task again, a program, a goal. We were no longer hiding at home in lockdown. Instead, we went outside, of course always responsibly, with masks and disinfectant. Out of this a community, a project, and hope was born. That was always the strongest driving force. Especially if you come from an environment where it’s almost always about events, meet-ups and the like. For us, this book was a small victory over coronavirus.
So, you’ve now created your first book, what’s next? Can we look forward to more in the future?
Yes, it was our first joint book. For years I’ve been publishing a series of philosophical books, as well as some art books. Books aren’t something new to me. I’ve already worked with Charlotte on a book on Symbiotikka, a photo book about this unique party series with the same name. This time I did the photos and Charlotte wrote anecdotes about Berlin nightlife. Hopefully it’ll be in shops early 2022. Then, with some luck, the clubs will be back in full swing. My kinky events like Symbiotikka, Techno Breakfust Club and INZZEST are already starting up again and I am planning the next Berlin Graphic Days after the pandemic, it’s an event I’ve run for almost 10 years. It’s never going to be boring for me.
Voyeur. Berlin. Kinky. Three powerful words. What do they mean to you?
Dare to look beyond your horizon. Then you might discover, especially in Berlin, a wonderful, warm-hearted, kinky world, which would happily take you on your own personal journey. Just let yourself in on it!
You can order a copy of the book exclusively via berlinkinky.com. Get yourself along to one of Chris’ events, he’s the man behind Symbiotikka, Techno Breakfast Club, INZZEST Party, Berlin Graphic Days and Fleischeslust Festival. You can also see more of Gil Shani’s photography via his Instagram and website.
