On The Men Loving Men In Japan

Presentation of the book Whispering Catastrophe by Jacopo Miliani and Sara Giannini (Self Pleasure Publishing)

in collaboration with ARC – Cagliari

Talk with the author, in conversation with Michele Pipia and Gigi Cabras
followed by STOLEN FLOWER (Video, 2019, 10′)

Whispering Catastrophe is the result of research related to gay male eroticism in Japan.

The two authors explore through photographic materials, magazines, and essays the use of sexuality in a language unknown to them. This exploration turns out to be an inquiry into the very concept of sexuality and masculinity.

From the erotic whispers of legendary gay activist Togo Ken, to the veiled images of underground photographer Kuro Haga, the book follows the construction of a subtle language of infiltration. Like a secret language, this special idiom shapes a collective body-a community-that acts beyond, through and despite normative identities, labels and social roles. Many of the stories told in the book are themselves the result of oral gossip, bar talk, storytelling and translation.

Jacopo Miliani (1979) is a visual artist whose practice addresses performance as an expanded methodology that aims to investigate the connections between language and the body. He is the founder of an independent publishing project focused on sexuality and language: Self Pleasure Publishing. He has collaborated with several performers including Jacopo Jenna, Antonio Torres, divaD, Benjamin Milan, Mathieu LaDurée, and Eve Stainton. His projects have involved professionals from various disciplines including director Dario Argento, fashion designers Boboutic and music producer Jean-Louis Hutha. Her work has been presented in solo and group exhibitions at GAMeC, Bergamo (2019); Centro Pecci, Prato (2019); Galeria Rosa Santos, Valencia (2018); Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2017); David Roberts Art Foundation, London (2017); Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon (2016); ICA studio, London (2015); Studio Dabbeni, Lugano (2015); Museo Madre, Naples (2011). In 2021 he made the film La discoteca, a project curated by NOSprodcution, winner of the Italian Council (8th edition, 2020). He lives in Milan.