Cruising through paint- Somatography of intimacy

In this performance, Martin Dieudonné presents a live meeting between artist and model, built on presence, trust, intimacy, and consent. Though separated by a large canvas with no physical contact, the artist paints through touch: caressing, holding, and tracing the model’s body with gesture and pigment, using his own body as a tool. The canvas becomes a membrane where movement replaces direct skin-to-skin contact, transforming intimacy into image. By the end, the artist hopes the model will feel the touch through the painting itself, as if sensation has crossed the surface and settled into the body.

The act becomes a physical dialogue where movement, breath, and distance shape the image. Rooted in live sessions with gay and queer community members, the work builds a growing family of portraits that celebrate raw tenderness and vulnerability.

The model remains still yet fully present as witness, while the audience, as third party, observes how bodies can be discovered through rhythm, attention, and care. Through trust and surrender, these works hold intimacy as a shared, powerful force: a testament to vulnerability celebrated together.

The performance lasts approximately 40min. The public is invited to walk around and see it from different perspectives and witness the creation of the artwork.

Martin Dieudonné is an artist who forges his own path outside traditional art schools. His work explores intimacy and human connection, using paintings and performances to highlight touch, movement, and presence. Rooted in live modeling and queer experiences, Martin’s art invites us to rethink emotional and social relationships, focusing on collective experiences that foster trust and vulnerability.
He splits his time between Berlin and the tranquil landscapes of Faucogney-et-la-Mer in France.

About Instinct
Instinct.berlin is an arts organization that presents exhibitions with queer artists twice a year at the Village, a community center for queer people in Berlin. These exhibitions, along with performances and talks, encourage interaction between artists and the local community.

The residency program allows artists to engage intensively with the vibrant atmosphere of the Village and build a bridge between their work and the wider queer community. This collaboration enriches the cultural dialog and supports the development of queer art projects, benefiting both the artists and the community at large.

Information:
This performance will include nudity.

Visit www.instinct.berlin for a list of artists, program details, and opening times.