Branding as Rebellion in THE CARDS YOU WERE DEALT @ Dittrich & Schlechtriem in Berlin

 
 

Last week, Monty Richthofen performed THE CARDS YOU WERE DEALT, a corporeal intervention in which he explored the concepts of choice, transgenerational dialogue, and transformation through tattooing. Seven participants were randomly selected. In the project, three texts were presented to the chosen participant. These texts are all accounts of 21st century phenomena. If a participant agreed to get one of the texts tattooed, they then got to choose three other texts for the following participant. The placement and composition of the text were decided collaboratively with the artist. The tattoos form a coherent text piece, a physical exquisite corpse, that is painted on a light box, echoing our individual but interconnected experience. THE CARDS YOU WERE DEALT was first performed in September 2023 and most recently included in the 2023 Gallery Weekend Berlin.

THE CARDS YOU WERE DEALT was performed at Dittrich & Schlechtriem, Linienstraße 23, 10178 Berlin.

First reprisal (sometimes I’m afraid if I disregard someone else’s story) by Polina Boyko, Bianca Nicolucci & Marzia Comuzio

close up shot of body with belts across the chest and down the stomach. With a tattoo of big anime-like eyes on lower stomach. Belts by Arlene and Tattoo by Mario Mellis.

belts by Arlette
tattoo by Mario Mellis

photography by Polina Boyko
styling by
Bianca Nicolucci & Marzia Comuzio
makeup by
Yoko Minami
hair by
Yoko Okuno
talents
Miriam @ PRM Agency & Jasmine
lighting by
Alexander Retnik
photography assistance by
Oriana
makeup assistance by
Lala

tank top by Celine Breton 
skirt by Lucila Safdie 
tights stylist own

model on white background wearing a draping colorful hat ( Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt) and a brown jumpsuit ( De Pino) with matching colofrul socks by ( Tytm8) and tan belt and pink ballerina slippers.

hat by Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt 
jumpsuit by De Pino 
belt & ballerinas stylist own
socks by Tytm8

Two models with curly hair in a close-up shot wearing dangling earrings and both a brown (100Morceaux) and silver coat ( Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt)

brown cape by 100Morceaux 
silver cape by Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt 
earring stylist own

model bending backwards in frae, with stylized mirror in background and silver balloons sticking out around model. Model is wearing a red hooded sweater (Sara Mikorey) and spiral earrings.

earring by Roussey 
hoodie by Sara Mikorey

A pair of hands held, while one model wears a silver cape by Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt and a green and black dress ( Cormio), and the other model ( who is out of shot) wears a brown cape by 100Morceaux

brown cape by 100Morceaux 
silver cape by Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt 
green & black dress by Cormio 

a models bare back with tattoo on lower back ( Mario Mellis) with a belt around her neck (Arlette) and argyle tights (Hglf)

earring by Tétier 
belt by Arlette
tattoo by Mario Mellis 
tights by Hglf

model crounching down in front of camera wearing fringe magenta dress (Meiloumi) and brown cape over her head ( 100Morceaux)

cape by 100Morceaux 
dress by Meiloumi 
tights stylist own

Two models are sitting closely to each other in the foreground. One is wearing a brown and pink dress with fringes on the bottom, with a brown cape around her neck and the other appears to be wearing a strapless green dress and silver cape.

brown cape by 100Morceaux 
silver cape by Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt 
green & black dress by Cormio 
brown dress by Meiloumi

close-up shot of many legs and arms, wearing polka dotted tights(Lewis Dussurget) and knitted tops. A bright light comes in between the body parts. One model wears a slounching pink top (Provincia Studio) and another wears a grey hoodie (100Morceaux)

grey hoodie by 100Morceaux
purple body by Paula Mihovilovic Einfalt 
pink top by Provincia Studio
black & white tights by Lewis Dussurget 
bracelet by Zana Bayne