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Lot Essay
The famous statuette known as "Manneken Piss" is one of the most distinctive Belgian symbols. The figure shows a naked infant with a humorous appearance as he copiously urinates in the washbasin of the fountain. A wide array of legends revolves around it, turning this tourist attraction into a whole referent of cultural identity.
With Le petit jardinier Pierre et Gilles make allusion to this imminently popular icon and they transfer it to their own universe without exempting it of that ironic and erotic character that has become their trademark. Here, the model's image takes on a fundamental role as it is fully presented as the center figure of the picture. There is also clearly evident an intention of metamorphosis and transgression as the young gardener is attired with feminine accessories that suggest a certain sexual drift. As Pierre et Gilles will later explore in other pictures such as La Fanny, the main character of this work is presented in a sexually ambiguous manner teasing the viewer's expectations to their limits. Thus, the artists play with the notions of gender and sexual orientations, making his model wander from feminity to masculinity and from masculinity to effeminacy.
With Le petit jardinier Pierre et Gilles make allusion to this imminently popular icon and they transfer it to their own universe without exempting it of that ironic and erotic character that has become their trademark. Here, the model's image takes on a fundamental role as it is fully presented as the center figure of the picture. There is also clearly evident an intention of metamorphosis and transgression as the young gardener is attired with feminine accessories that suggest a certain sexual drift. As Pierre et Gilles will later explore in other pictures such as La Fanny, the main character of this work is presented in a sexually ambiguous manner teasing the viewer's expectations to their limits. Thus, the artists play with the notions of gender and sexual orientations, making his model wander from feminity to masculinity and from masculinity to effeminacy.