CURATED REALITY

He cut his hair in a signature Dutch boy-style and began to dress in provocative versions of masculine uniforms, which he tailored himself – the sailor, the biker, and the cowboy. His very prominent bulge was always highlighted!

Now Damiani have published a new hardcover retrospective of his work, compiled from the thousands of erotic self-portraits that Berlin took. Some are famous images that appeared on the covers of gay magazines, others are stills from his porn films Nights In Black Leather (1973) and That Boy (1974), as well as collages, paintings and illustrations.

Taylor beautifully entwines Miller’s estrangement from peers with his intensely confusing-yet-erotic encounter with his white straight-identified friend, Miller. Throughout the novel, both young men gradually open up, sharing their vulnerability, and eventually bringing a new self-understanding via a connection with one another. (Reviewed by Hendri Yulius)