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"I didn't think I could become an up-and-coming artist at my old age," says taxi driver Hans-Jürgen Watzlawek, 68, whose photos of passengers' breasts have gone on display at a Berlin gallery.
MUNICH, Germany – A Berlin taxi driver whose pictures of women exposing their breasts in the back of his cab are being displayed at a local art gallery insists that the black-and-white photographs are nice not naughty.
"It's not about eroticism or sex, but about the breast as a female attribute," cab-driver-turned-artist Hans-Jürgen Watzlawek told NBC News.
Known for its hip and cutting edge exhibitions and galleries, the Berlin art scene sees many edgy pieces of art. Nonetheless, in Europe's self-proclaimed art capital one can always find a new twist on modern art.
It all started four years ago on a night shift when a regular customer told Watzlawek that she suspected she was pregnant because her breasts had grown.
When he said he didn't believe her, she lifted her shirt and exposed her breasts. The cab driver, an avid amateur photographer who always carries a camera, asked if he could snap a picture. She agreed.
How does the 68-year-old explain this openness?
"The cabin of a taxi has a certain intimacy, it's like in a confessional box," Watzlawek said. "Passengers often share their stories – especially during journeys at night."
So over the last four years, he took 50 pictures of topless women. They posed for him after he asked a few who showed an interest in his photography, Watzlawek said, who added that he had never photographed their faces.
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"The project lives on anonymity; no woman I have asked has ever complained of sexism," he said.
And he denied that some of the women were drunk when he pictured them, as tabloids have suggested.
About half of the passengers he asked to pose agreed to do so after he told them that he hoped to run an exhibition.
"I was surprised myself, but they told me that I seem trustworthy – maybe you could even call me a lady whisperer," he said.
'A provocation'
Compared to Berlin Art Week, which took place in the city's illustrious galleries earlier this month, Watzlawek's exhibition, which opened on September 20 at the Galeria Casablanca, is a low-key affair although it has attracted considerable attention.
Gallery owner Zoltan Labas said the show, "Flash Berlin 0.1", has been well-received, especially by women, but admits it has been controversial.
"Of course, it's a provocation and it touches the border between art and non-art," he said.
"While the breasts are in the center of the pictures, the backgrounds tell the stories," Labas added. "You see the clothes and posture of the women, or who else is sitting in the cab – at times it's the boyfriend or husband."
Read more stories from Germany on NBCNews.com
Watzlawek is not alone in his unconventional approach to routine places.
Recently, garbage collectors in Hamburg remade a waste container into a pinhole camera to snap the city's streets. It was a successful public relations stunt that won a silver lion at the Cannes International Advertising Festival.
Watzlawek, who is retired but returns to the steering wheel for a couple of nights each month, insists that his exhibition was not a public relations stunt.
"I just want to finance my expensive photography hobby which is difficult with my small pension," he said.
So after several decades working nights as a baker and cab driver he seems to have found his calling, although he doesn't think he's destined to become the next Damien Hirst or Andy Warhol.
"I didn't think I could become an up-and-coming artist at my old age," he said.
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Leave a Comment:
Well, if it's art, why not show the work, or at least a link to the exhibit?
NBC is too family oriented to show a brest of a woman, is not that natural?
……… is not that natural?
These days you have to touch it to know what’s natural and what’s not! I would love to see the photo descriptions, real , unreal, counterfeit etc.
I don't think "Family values" is as much a factor as these prints are in a gallery and galleries are very touchy about cameras. They are in it to make the euro.....
Hats of to this true boob connoisseur... well done, dude!
Where's the beef?
It's because our culture is so up-tight and backwards. It's fine to show pictures and footage of people being shot, but if a woman nurses a baby in public it's considered shameful. The country that herded the native population into near-extinction, enslaved a race of people into servitude, locked up its own citizens during WWII and dropped 2 atomic bombs on civilians, says no no no, can't bare your breasts in public!
Ask Kate Middleton she will tell you about breasts!
Without documentation it never happened. We're supposed to take MSN's word for it. As with so much of the reporting done by MSN, a few selected tip words to leave us titillated and read a corseted and constrained few pair of sentence's or paragraphs that in the end leaves us sagging with disspair. We are then offered the opportunity to lift our spirits by injecting our voice and opinion to join others and cleave a momentary alliance or enter into a back and forth, up and down, round and round version of mine are better than your opines. A few can provide perky repose, and perfectly form that Champagne glass size of brevity that there is overall agreement and acceptance of what is right , yet most leave with the question: "was that real." Can that be bolstered by a fresh view, or have we grown so used to having them thrust into every aspect of our lives there is no way to live without them. We should cling to those that we value highest and be willing to feel the pain of those who have less. If those that have more than others are not willing to share their largess, they should be taxed so those less fortunate may enjoy those fruits as all feel they are entitled. There should be public access to anyone regardless of race or sex or economic condition, for the children first and as we gain experience and age there will be an formal evaluation to determine if future opportunities will be extended for have to be cut off as a result of a deteriorating condition. If too many suckle the supply for too long without new supplies there will no longer be any for any one and the sadness will be loud and violent as a once great system is milked to it's inevitable end and the whole will be forced to accept a sour tasting imitation of what we once loved and were willing to die for.
I don't know much about "art", but I know what I like!! ;-)
to make up for the "failure" here ;-) >> also
(vernissage photos) all other articles with photos would be in German, no use providing here I guess
sorry, MSN deleted the links I gave...another try:
Wow westcoastgym, your dedication is uplifting.
Or you could just Google the f*cking thing and see the pics yourself.
hey...msn do a story on picture of the big foot...that wasn't... the lady taxi driver took...
This guy is a boob!
He just wanted to keep abreast of the newest art craze. But I'm glad you got that off your chest.
What a titillating response? I suppose people will milk it for what it's worth!
Does this make him an... exhibition-ist?
No, but the women are...
Images of war violence: OK
Picture of human breast: NEVER
in America when you ask a "drunken" woman to show her breasts...you get a slapshot not a snapshot....lol
That's true, most of the time. But every once in a while you get a cheap date.
Like the man standing on the corner asking every woman that past "you want to f*ck." He got slapped a lot but the yes was all worth it!
What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs hanging on the wall? Art
-Van Gogh
"Everything you read on the Internet is true." ---Abraham Lincoln
I think "Art" looks like he's hanging a little crooked, but it could be just me -- Eileen.
Me too, but probably because I'm trying to stand up on my only real leg. -- Peg
He'd be better served, laying in front of he door! -- Matt
I think its so odd that nudity is illegal. It's called an obscenity law. How can part of my body be obscene?
How much do you weigh?
good one, denver. 1st teehee of the day.
The U.S. is too prudish. You have to realize this is Germany, part of Europe, and Europeans are not nearly as prudish as Americans. They have many more topless and nudist beaches than the U.S. and it's nothing out of the ordinary to most of the Europeans. The exhibit is not exploiting women nor is it a titilating, sexual exhibit. Once Americans realize a womans body is a beautiful thing to be honored, worshiped, admired and adored, perhaps their opinions will advance past their 18th century mentality. Kudoes to the cabby/photographer!
Two things: One the US had a lot of puritan influence, both good and bad, in it's development. We owe the ideas of Emancipation, Women's sufferage, Popular vote of the senate, and a minimum standard of welfare, in part, to those people. There is a flip side to all this as we do indeed have prudish liberal leaders.
As for not being able to see the photos? I would guess that copyrights are as much of a barrier as the fact little kids can access this site. I bet the gallery either charges a fee to get in and I aslo bet they do not allow direct shots of the photos themselves. Artists have to be businesspeople, for all of the aggrivation business brings, in order to eat.
T.R........Prudish liberal leaders? Are you being serious or using sarcasm that I don't understand? Didn't our Attorney General in the last administration, John Ashcroft, cover up the exposed breasts of a statue used in backdrop for his speeches at the Justice Department? Yep.....that kind of outlandish exposure could lead to holding hands or even dancing!......(Sarcasm intended).
You think America is prudish? You clearly haven't been to LA or Miami beach...
Religious beliefs, women's groups are big factors that come to mind.
I wonder what ratio real/fake he came across. In general, german women are ugly, so who cares.
...ever seen Claudia Schiffer?
German women are ugly? Not in the German cities I've been to...
It's interesting you say that as a good number 3rd generation or more Americans have significant German ancestry. German is the most self-reported American ancestry group. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_American
Maybe not now but they will be eventualy. Get them while they're hot
Most cabs have a sign that says "Tips Appreciated". This guy has taken that to a new level with a little editing !
Changing the 'p' to a 't' and you would have an accurate sign.
Pics, or it never happened.
The worst Headline I have ever read !!
Fifteen minutes of jerk-off fame.
Fitty scent would dis-agree.
A teenager can buy a video game complete with prostitutes, drug use, stealing cars, and killing cops...yet a breast is obscene......what a society we live in....
if by teenager you mean 17 year old, then sure.
Hey MSN how about if you are going to post the story let the readers be the judge. At least provide a link so adult readers can view the photos and make the decision for themselves if it is art or not.
"I don't know how to define porn, but I know what it is when I see." or something like that is the famous saying. Show me the pics and I'll tell you. I lived in Europe for several years and the breast and images of such are not vulagr depending on how the images are presented in the totality of the material.
Seems any pervert can be an artist these days to me....
Define pervert. Is it the photographer who takes the picture ? Or the women who allow their pictures to be taken?
Smashmouth . . I agree that you likely need to see the pictures to render your decision. Would you like for us to have them delivered to your home?? That way you can look at them at your leisure and then inform us of your opinion as to whether they are "porn". We will have them sent right out to you.
This guy is obviously a pervert lol
So what does that make the women who agree to havce their pictures taken?
Sluts?
they say anything over a mouthful is a waste,but im a wasteful bastard,i like big firm hooters.
But he seems like he can pull this off quite good, I now know my dream job xD
No where does it say that pulling it off was involved, just because you would doesn't mean that he did.
Any chance we might view this exhibit?
Well yhy doesn't he show breasts of men.OH!That is Diffrent!Hey breasts are breasts!Just womens are bigger.How stupid the world is!
stop teasing us...where's the pictures??
scroll up! I gave the link, another is on facebook
I am not saying you should go to Google images and put the guy's name in but you should go to Google images and put the guy's name in. NSFW
Ze girls just want to have fun