“Mauvaises Vies ?”, an exhibition by French photographer Marc Martin showing at Galerie Obsession in Paris until January 10th, is about the survival of LGBTQIA+ countercultures. The artist sets his works alongside historical [facts] and archive materials, especially related to the role played by public toilets in Gay communities’ struggle for emancipation in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In New York City, these days, ICE agents in plainclothes are pretending to use public lavatories. With their stealth bodycams, they target men cruising in these facilities, arresting over 200 of which a great proportion are migrants with little opportunity to cruise in private place. This manhunt occurs as the Trump administration is increasing its pressure for deporting more immigrants from NYC, whether criminal or not. Now is patrolling the lavatories of Penn Station in plainclothes not a crime in itself? Inspired by this conduct disrespectful of elementary human rights, Marc Martin has recently shot this series of photographs in a Paris lavatory. Benjamin and Ali embody a Fashion Week spirit in what could become a crime scene, posing in these cubicles as if they were their safe and comfortable home.

Marc Martin, “Mauvaises Vies ?”, (“Cruising à Césure”) 2025.
Photographer : Marc Martin
Models : Benjamin + Ali
Galerie Obsession, Paris