Juergen Teller’s ‘i need to live’ is now at Triennale Milano

Person on jetty (left) and semi-nude models beside water (right), photographs from Juergen Teller ‘i need to live’ exhibition at Triennale Milano

Left: Alaato Jazyper, Saint LaurentAutumn Winter 2022 campaign, Le Lavandou, France 2022
Right: Two women & two swans, Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2019 campaign, Lake Como, Italy 2018

(Image credit: Courtesy of Juergen Teller)

By Tianna Williams

published 6 February 2024

Juergen Teller is known for seeing the beauty in the mundane. The renowned German photographer strips back the shiny lacquer of perfection to reveal authenticity – often by injecting humour into his candid celebrity portraits and fashion editorials. His latest exhibition, ‘i need to live’, is now on display at Triennale Milano (until 1 April 2024), after its inaugural showing in Paris’ Grand Palais Ephémère.

Juergen Teller ‘i need to live’ at Triennale Milano

Juergen Teller in self-portrait, lying on mattress outside, with pink shorts and balloons — *Self-Portrait with pink shorts and balloons, Paris 2017*

Saint Laurent united with Juergen Teller as the sponsor of this career-spanning exhibition that presents more than 1,000 works. Expect to discover imagery that is both personal and commissioned, giving visitors a chance to dive into events that have shaped Teller’s life.

The exhibition is curated by Thomas Weski in collaboration with Teller and his wife and creative partner Dovile Drizyte. Teller’s uniquely twisted perspective has shaped the showcase, which celebrates the beauty and fragility of life.

Björk and son in thermal pool — *Björk and son, Iceland 1993*

‘i need to live’ explores Teller’s artistic evolution from the early 1990s, spanning photography, videos and installations, and includes a photographic series created for the exhibition. Discover personal imagery of Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, Björk and her son in Iceland, and self-portraits of Teller from childhood to the present day.

Also featured is a series in which Teller and Drizyte explore their relationship, marriage and parenting, ‘defined by a characteristic mix of serious and intimate but often humorous characters created in a grotesque style’, says Stefano Boeri, president of Triennale Milano.

Self-portrait of Juergen Teller in armchair, annotated with ironic notes for image enhancement — *Self-portrait for Business of Fashion, London 2015*

Legs of semi-nude models in tights and high heels — *Legs, Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2019 campaign, Lake Como, Italy 2018*

Woman in acrobatic pose on pavement — *Go-Sees, Domenique, London, 29th September 1998*

wasps in dish of jam — *Forest No.93, South Tyrol, Italy 2020*

Feet up on sofa back in front of artwork — *The Myth No.50, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio, 2022*

'i need to live' is at Triennale Milano until 1 April 2024

triennale.org

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Tianna Williams is the Editorial Executive at Wallpaper*. Before joining the team in 2023, Williams taught scuba diving for three years before heading into journalism. Previously she has been involved covering social media and editorial for BBC Wales, Ford UK, SurfGirl Magazine, and Parisian Vibe, while also completing an MA in Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. Her work covers writing across varying content pillars for Wallpaper*.

Juergen Teller ‘i need to live’ at Triennale Milano

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