Following exhibitions of the work at the Chic Art Fair and Fotofever Paris, the Galerie Madé invites viewers to discover Christian Kettiger’s portrait series Gibsonton.
Far removed from his professional work for fashion magazines like Marie-Claire and Elle, Kettiger returns with this series to the foundations of his passion for photography.
One day I was sitting in a waiting room reading an article about freaks and it mentioned the town Gibsonton,” says Kettinger in the introduction to the series. “In the forties, a circus giant found the place, took a liking to it, and started spending his winters there. The idea caught on, and Gibsonton became a sort of resort for circus people and, especially, freaks. Fascinated, I decided a few months later to pay the town a visit to see if any freaks would sit for me. I found an old man who used to be the impresario for a number of famous freaks, and he told me gently, “You’re too late, man, they’re almost all dead now.” Disappointed, I started to walk around the town. I met people, some from the circus business, and others who chose to live there because nobody asks questions. I took portraits of everyone who interested me and was surprised every time by their generosity, as if by taking their photo I was giving them some sort of recognition. Some people asked why I was taking so many pictures and I told them it’s what I do for a living. That was all they needed to hear.
Christian Kettiger
Gibsonton – Christian Kettiger
May 10 – June 8, 2012.
Galerie Madé
48, rue de Lancry
75010 Paris
T : + 33 1 53 10 14 34
