Voyeur. Berlin. Kinky: KitKat Photographer Gili Shani Captures Kinky Berliners in their Homes

photo: Gili Shani.

After Berlin clubs closed their doors to their followers during the ongoing global pandemic, many kink lovers who have found refuge in these sanctuaries have had to get more creative to maintain their inner desires. The legendary KitKat swimming pool had to be replaced by our bathtubs and our music in keeping with the Hausordnung. The nascent lockdown rules were getting stricter and the end of the tunnel was getting more and more blurry along the way.

During this difficult time, Gili Shani, the only person allowed to take photos at the KitKat Club, photographed 250 people in their homes, who were ready to show their fondness for her book Voyeur. Berlin. Naughty. He drove around Berlin to capture those intimate moments inspired by the pre-pandemic kink scene. With a sexually suggestive front cover of a lower front tattoo that says “fuck,” the book already shows promise. Through Shani’s lens, these domestic shots reflect nothing different from a moment in KitKat; a man in a harness kneeling in front of the camera and a domina ready to spank someone in another photo. After all, you can get the Berliners out of the club, but you can’t get the Berliners to fold.

Christoph Steinweg, organizer of Symbiotikka sex-positive parties at KitKat and co-producer and publisher of the book describes the project as follows: Four months are now behind me. Over 190 photo shoots with around 250 people, over 2,500 kilometers of driving through Berlin with my friend and photographer, Gili Shani. From meetings, finding addresses and apartments, finding a parking space to many surprises and very special encounters. We met people who invited us into their private domain. Who posed in front of our camera, revealed himself, exposed himself in an intimate, strong, shy, playful or vulnerable way. Who opened their house for a short time to allow us a very exclusive and voyeuristic glimpse. This all happened at a time when we were limited in our freedom due to Corona determining our daily life. But, maybe it was exactly the right time? The sensitive “Kinky World” in Berlin had lost its stage, there were no more occasions or events. What followed was an escape indoors, into the private, away from parties and clubs. We were all alone for a while.

Gili Shani is a documentary producer who captures storytelling moments from KitKat’s nightlife. You can read our previous interview with Shani here to preview some of her photos and order Voyeur. Berlin. Naughty. here.

Diesen Artikel auf deutsch lesen.

Bourak
through Bourak
June 8, 2021
in Books, Party, People, Photos


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