Magnet Over the Rainbow | Physique Pictorial

Description

Comprising mainly works and documents from the collections of the Musée national d'art moderne - Centre Pompidou, the exhibition Over the Rainbow (2023) shows how, throughout the twentieth century and right up to the present day, artists have contributed to bringing minority sexualities out of invisibility, and have participated in the struggles led by LGBTQI+ communities for the recognition of their rights.

Physique Pictorial played a pivotal role in homosexual history as it provided a platform for gay men to express their sexuality during a time of intense social stigma and legal persecution. The magazine, published from 1951 to 1990, featured images of attractive, muscular men, celebrating their beauty and desirability. By showcasing these images, Physique Pictorial challenged societal norms, offering a positive representation of same-sex attraction and redefining notions of masculinity. The magazine created a sense of community, serving as a space for self-expression and solidarity among gay men. It is considered an important artifact of queer history, documenting a significant era in LGBTQ+ culture and contributing to the ongoing struggle for acceptance and visibility.