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Lot Essay
The Bloody Life series is one of Gilbert & George's most important bodies of work. The title of the series "bloody" possesses a duel meaning: one which refers literally to being covered in blood and one which refers to the English use of the word "bloody", meaning something terrible or extreme in nature. The cynicism seen in this series is present in much of Gilbert & George's work as they muse on the many faults of mankind. When asked if their art was ironic, George responded, "Not more than life. We are of life, a part of it. We're changing life for many people who come to our exhibitions. So our images must have that reality. They are real things." (C. Ratcliff, Gilbert & George, The Complete Pictures, London, 1986, p. XXXIII.)
In this series, Gilbert & George no longer exist in the isolation of previous series, but instead enter into the metropolis of London surrounded by pedestrians and ordinary citizens going about their daily lives. Many of the images in the series explore the delicate balance between the man-made city and nature. By placing the construction of civilization in direct opposition to the forces of nature; Gilbert & George create a disquieting sense of a civilization treading a thin line between survival and destruction.
In the four corners of the composition are four small black and white images of the Victorian train station. The images symbolize the industrial progress of mankind, while simultaneously commenting on the monotony of day to day existence. All four images have been taken from the same vantage point at varying times throughout the day and while each image varies slightly the endless repetition of commuting to and from work each day is clearly depicted. However, the tilted planes of the images allude to the fact that something is not quite right and call into question the vulnerability of mankind in the face of nature.
In direct contrast with the images in the four corners, the central axis of the nine panels depicts the blood red imagery of a fire which rips through the composition. Gilbert & George stand on either side of the image, in dark suits showing no emotion or remorse as they walk away from the violence and destruction seemingly unharmed. The two artists as strong and stoic as sculptures appear unaffected while the rest of the world falls to pieces engulfed in flames. The artists are impervious to the chains that bind the rest of mankind, and instead seem to rise above the masses.
In this series, Gilbert & George no longer exist in the isolation of previous series, but instead enter into the metropolis of London surrounded by pedestrians and ordinary citizens going about their daily lives. Many of the images in the series explore the delicate balance between the man-made city and nature. By placing the construction of civilization in direct opposition to the forces of nature; Gilbert & George create a disquieting sense of a civilization treading a thin line between survival and destruction.
In the four corners of the composition are four small black and white images of the Victorian train station. The images symbolize the industrial progress of mankind, while simultaneously commenting on the monotony of day to day existence. All four images have been taken from the same vantage point at varying times throughout the day and while each image varies slightly the endless repetition of commuting to and from work each day is clearly depicted. However, the tilted planes of the images allude to the fact that something is not quite right and call into question the vulnerability of mankind in the face of nature.
In direct contrast with the images in the four corners, the central axis of the nine panels depicts the blood red imagery of a fire which rips through the composition. Gilbert & George stand on either side of the image, in dark suits showing no emotion or remorse as they walk away from the violence and destruction seemingly unharmed. The two artists as strong and stoic as sculptures appear unaffected while the rest of the world falls to pieces engulfed in flames. The artists are impervious to the chains that bind the rest of mankind, and instead seem to rise above the masses.