Special
Visible Love
Container Love’s Visible Love exhibition brought specially curated diversity-driven photography to the amazing space of Berlin’s POP KUDAMM. Running from August 16th until the 31st, Visible Love has been our way to celebrate Pride and Container Love’s first decade with special and exclusive editorials, exciting events, and the launch of our first-ever print magazine. Celebrating together with a crowd of global artists and creators, our platform has entered its next chapter.
PHOTO SLAVA MOGUTIN
David Urbanke: The Voice Of A New Era
Stunning, powerful and unapologetic: black Filipina trans woman Jari Jones has become a generational icon and inspiration for all the right reasons. Shot by David Urbanke, Jari and her partner Deniz are familiar faces in a new era of inclusivity. Her role as an actress, model, producer and creative provides authenticity, compassion and hope, paving the way for future generations.
Celine Yasemin & Milena Zara: Category Is… Realness
Every transition is also a journey, from self-hate to self-love – photographers Celine Yasemin and Milena Zara wanted to show the realness of transition while shooting iconic model and influencer Steph Barreto. The fruit of an amazing collaboration, their editorial is full of heart, as featured in Container Love’s first-ever print magazine, the Visibility Issue.
Anil Ayhan: Tales From The City
In a world that is relentlessly trying to mold us into predefined shapes, there is immense power and liberation in staying true to yourself – for his series features in our printed magazine, The Visibility Issue, Berlin photographer Anil Ayhan collaborated with musician, dancer, and queer tastemaker Lie Ning. Their duo’s beautiful work is proof that sometimes the best way to break through the noise is to just sing louder.
Ansgar Sollmann: The Present Is Genderless
Musician and queer tastemaker Tarik Tesfu was shot by London-based photographer Ansgar Sollman for Container Love’s first printed magazine. A vital part of our Visible Love exhibition, their collaboration explores the liberating beauty of genderless fashion and how the media should take responsibility in not only displaying queer people but letting them behind the camera too.
Bastian Thiery: Hungry Eyes
It’s not about beauty that’s transformative but about the transformation that’s beautiful – iconic makeup-up artist and drag superstar Hungry was shot by Berlin-based photographer Bastian Thiery for Container Love’s Visibility Issue. A celebration of creativity and queerness, Bastian’s series is one that’s here to stay for a long time.
Slava Mogutin: It’s Hot Out There
As the city sweats and the hot summer sun is melting the streets, the world becomes a playground, and every given moment, an opportunity for celebrating the vibrant tapestry of life. From posing naked on the roof to getting a cool splash on the balcony, New York-based artist Slava Mogutin's series of fun and sexy portraits is an untamed celebration of life and unapologetic queerness.
Visible Love
Visible Love 2023: 10 Years Of Container Love
Container Love’s Visible Love exhibition is bringing specially curated diversity-driven photography to the amazing space of Berlin’s POP KUDAMM. Starting on August 16th and running until the 31st, Visible Love is our way to celebrate Pride and Container Love’s first decade with special and exclusive editorials, exciting events, and the launch of our first-ever print magazine. Join the beautiful crowd of global artists and creators as our platform enters its next chapter.
Photo Blazey by Nikk Martin
AdeY: To Let You In On Something Big
What stories does your body silently reveal about you when you are at your most vulnerable? – through a blend of humor and experimentation, AdeY sheds light not only on our strengths while fleeting instances of social oppression, isolation, anxiety, and depression that seemingly intertwine with the essence of the human experience. Check out AdeY’s pictures as featured in our Visibility Issue.
Robin Kater: A Little Extra
In a world where conformity and external validation often hold sway, all you need for happiness is to be a little extra – photographer Robin Kater shot talented performer, media personality, and his fellow Berliner Robin Solf. Out of their collaboration was born Robin’s amazing editorial, an essential part of Container Love’s first printed magazine, the Visibility Issue.
Julien Barbès: Wanderlust
The only thing greater than the excitement of discovering is the excitement of being discovered – Berlin-based photographer Julien Barbès’ shot Santa K for Container Love's first printed magazine. A gorgeous visual manifesto of queer visibility, Julien’s series is just as bold, playful, and glamorous as his muse for the day.
Nikk Martin: The Sky Over Your Shoulders
When surrounded by nature, one can be vulnerable and it’s only through letting ourselves be vulnerable that we can find our greatest strength – Nikk Martin shot musician and queer tastemaker Blazey for Container Love’s fist print magazine, the Visibility Issue. His series takes us on a journey into nature, documenting a process of self-acceptance, and celebrating the unique qualities that make us who we are.
Allie & Jesse: Vision Of A Queer West
Changing the cultural narrative – New York photographers Allie Leepson and Jesse McClary’s ongoing series gives us a glimpse into the lives of the bold and defiant LGBTQ+ communities living in the American West. With their pictures published as part of our Visible Love exhibition, Allie and Jesse spotlight their resilience and rightful sense of belonging in a culture that hasn't always welcomed or acknowledged them.
Daniela Müller-Brunke: Istabane
The underestimated power of the community – Daniela Mueller Brunke returned to the semi-desert grasslands of South Africa, to document the life of queer people in an often hostile environment. Her pictures featured in Container Love’s Visibility Issue show the rarely-seen reality of queer folks in South Africa, opening a door to a beautiful, strong community of people daring to be themselves against all odds.
Visible Love
Christian Ruess Of Container Love: Freedom Means No Fear
Knowledge means less fear and no fear means freedom – in a super special in-house interview, we asked Container Love’s Founder and Creative Director Christian Ruess about why most brands are misinterpreting diversity as a one-trick pony, the story behind our international #VisibleLove exhibition series and how finding the right partners at H&M could turn our simple idea into a global movement.
Photo Rob Tennent
Osman Özel: Folds
The memories have the power to connect us to the future – Berlin-based photographer Osman Özel’s series for Visible Love is a collection of dreamy snippets straight out of the subconscious. Part of Container Love’s 10 years anniversary, Osman’s gorgeous editorial brings a unique mixture of fashion and portrait photography to the game, elevating the genres and making us reevaluate our perceptions of memories, and what they might hold.
Steve Marais: Tucked Away In The Grunewald Forest
Shot by Steve Marais at Berlin’s Teufelssee with giant mermaid Frieder Sell, the series pays homage to the rich heritage of LGBTQIA+ individuals who have sought and still seek solace and connection at this picturesque little lake, tucked away in the Grunewald forest. Shooting in this queer safe space invites reflection on the interplay between societal norms and free self-expression, and perhaps fosters a deeper understanding of love and inclusivity.
Christopher Sherman: Have A Great Horny Day
There is love that reminds us why we are on this giant rock called Earth, rotating in this universe. Be a lighthouse for others, and for yourself. Christopher Sherman’s series is an unapologetic celebration of sexuality and all the joy and liberation it can bring into our lives.
Szymon Stepniak: Into The Great Wide Open
In celebrating queer love in public, we celebrate the triumph of love over adversity, the resilience of the queer community, and the power of visibility in challenging societal norms. Shooting Chris and Malte of erotic art collective Pornceptual, Szymon Stepniak's goal was to increase the visibility of queer relationships by showing authentic and affectionate moments in public spaces.
Rob Tennent: Sanctuary
In a world filled with complexities, there exists a timeless and profound emotion that transcends all boundaries – pure love and intimacy. Created for Container Love’s first printed magazine, Rob Tennent’s couples series captures connections that go beyond physicality, connections that delve into the very depths of our souls.
Caroline Mackintosh: Tangible Love
A touch can mean nothing, a touch can change everything – the series Caroline Mackintosh shot for our first printed Visibility Issue is one about touch, movement, and skin-on-skin intimacy. Enjoy Caroline’s amazing pictures, an ode to queer communities worldwide, emphasizing the power of togetherness.
Kostis Fokas: Red Hot Shores
Athens photographer Kostis Fokas accompanies two young men to the Greek seaside in his series, produced for Container Love’s first-ever printed Visibility Issue. Part of our latest Visible Love exhibition, these images bring back memories of a perfect, sun-soaked afternoon, a forever reminder of how lustful, gorgeous, and happy youth can be.
Kemara Pol: The Garden Of Eden
Isn’t it strange that we still haven't gotten any closer to understanding the connection between desire and emancipation? – Berlin-based photographer Kemara Pol’s series featured in Container Love’s first printed Visibility Issue is a new take on creation, offering an alternative narrative to the story we have all heard of, dating back to the Garden of Eden.
Nikk Martin: Embracing The Power Of Self-Love
Finding the one thing that you’d never change about yourself – the second series photographer Nikk Martin shot for our Visible Love exhibition is a love letter to everyone’s inner self. With the tender voice of acceptance, Nikk’s images tell the story about the importance and power of self-love and how appreciating the little things about ourselves can give us the confidence and power to shine through anything.
Aart Verrips: Chances Are
The future is built on communities – photographer Aart Verrips put together an incredible selection of his artwork for Container Love’s anniversary. As part of our Visible Love exhibition, Aart’s imagery goes beyond the conceptual, resulting in a world of wonders that is exciting, playful, and sensitive.
Shauna Summers: Summers’ Grace
Love is gravity – seeing Berlin photographer Shauna Summers’ beautiful imagery it needs little explanation why she’s among the artists contributing to our Visible Love exhibition. Exploring an underlying layer of fashion photography, Shauna’s work is gentle, almost melancholic, yet utterly powerful capturing identities of a new era.
Visible Love 2023: 10 Years Of Container Love
For years, our annual Visible Love exhibition has marked a very special time of the year: an event that stands for the unapologetic celebration of diversity and queer culture that we are devoted to, 365 days a year. This time, it also stood for the 10-year anniversary of Container Love. And this is how it all happened.
Javier Cerrada: I’m Not From Here, I’m Not From There
For Berlin-based photographer Javier Cerrada, photography has always been a natural form of self-expression. His pictures are part of an ever-unfolding story of identities, real and chosen families, and love so powerful, it’s unstoppable. Joining us in celebrating a decade of love and beautiful diversity, Javier put together a special selection of his works, covering years and years of his career, connecting past with the present and lamenting about a future worth looking forward to.
Visible Dinner: An Open Dialogue
Conversation is everything. Our aim with the #VisibleLove exhibition is to encourage people to take that first step toward each other, not only to speak, but to listen, to get the dialogue going.
Christian Ruess Of Container Love: Freedom Means No Fear
Knowledge means less fear and no fear means freedom – in a super special in-house interview, we asked Container Love’s Founder and Creative Director Christian Ruess about why most brands are misinterpreting diversity as a one-trick pony, the story behind our international #VisibleLove exhibition series and how finding the right partners at H&M could turn our simple idea into a global movement.
Visible Love: Love, Unconditionally
Container Love celebrates a summer of love and visibility taking over the stores of H&M, Weekday, Monki, COS and more as part of its international exhibition series, Visible Love.
Visible Love At Mitte Garten: Love And Let Love
It’s the second year in a row for our #VisibleLove exhibition to have its official event at Berlin’s Mitte Garten, an open space in the middle of a buzzing downtown area where queer life and love are there for anyone to see.
Rob Tennent: Not Waiting For A Miracle
We talked with Rob Tennent, Auckland-based photographer and creative as he captures queer love in all it's beauty.
Rosiah Bernier: Show Us How To Love Yourself
Entrepreneur, YouTuber, advocate and model Rosiah Bernier sat down with us to discuss pronouns, transitioning and more.
Allie & Jesse: About A Place Of Love
Meet the creative queer duo of Allie Leepson and Jesse McClary with a partnership of marriage and photography.
Tanner Fletcher: Genderless Clothing For All
We had a chat with Fletcher Kassel, half of fashion label Tanner Fletcher, to talk about gender expression and what fashion can mean.
Soraya T Zaman: A Seat At The Table
New York based, Australian artist Soroya T. Zaman shares their fight for visibility and diversity as a queer photographer.
Vico Ortiz: What Does Queer Visibility Really Mean?
An Essay of Love: We sat down and spoke with the iconic Our Flag Means Death actor Vico Ortiz to discuss visibility, identity and queerness.
Jess T. Dugan: A Radical And Beautiful Act
Meet Jess Dugan, a renowned artist exploring identity through photography, video and writing, with their work exhibited in over 40 museums.
Lindsay Ryklief: Living Unapologetically
We interviewed Lindsay Ryklief - a Seoul-based photographer, DJ and promoter who first one our hearts with ongoing series, Boys of Seoul.
Leo Maki: Ain’t Bad Education
Bold eroticism is what makes Leo Maki a truly different kind of creator among queer photographers, catch our interview with him here!
Living in Lupae Latex, A Fashion Revolution
Latex is taking over fashion, with Lupae at the heart. We spoke to the founder, Michelle Worsley, on queerness and the latex revolution.
Henri Jakobs: Representation and Act(ing) Out
Musician, actor and activist Henri Jakobs talks with us about breaking social structures, how to be a better ally and #ActOut.
Justin Thesis Smith: Dancing Away The Binary
Meet Justin Thesis Smith, the phenomenal dancer based in Berlin that speaks to us on toxic masculinity, dance and queerness.
Barbie Breakout: Breaking Out Expectations
Why is Pride still important? Barbie Breakout, German Drag Queen, podcaster, author and activist, let us know.
Visible Love 2021
Container Love celebrates 2021 Pride in Berlin's H&M Mitte Garten with our pop-up exhibition Visible Love.