PHOTOGRAPHY: Exploring Queer Bodies and Desire: Spyros Rennt’s ‘Corporeal’.
In his latest book, Corporeal, Greek-born, Berlin-based photographer Spyros Rennt captures a vibrant and intimate portrait of queer bodies and the freedom they seek. Known for documenting the queer underground, Rennt’s work presents a compelling mix of euphoric club scenes, sun-drenched beaches, and candid moments of queer connection.
Rennt’s third photo book, following Another Excess (2018) and Lust Surrender (2020), documents scenes from parties, quiet beach days in Greece, and intimate gatherings. His photos, often featuring friends and lovers within the queer club scene, showcase a sense of belonging and self-acceptance. Rennt explains on i-D, “I document queer desire because queer desire is what I experience.” His aim, he shares, is to create a visual space where this desire can be fully expressed and validated.
The artist’s journey into photography began in Munich, after deciding that a conventional nine-to-five lifestyle didn’t suit him. Having moved to Berlin 12 years ago, Rennt reflects that his journey has brought him a deeper understanding of queer identity. With Corporeal, he captures this identity through images that depict people embracing, celebrating, and confidently presenting themselves.
While Rennt’s work often features bodies and intimate moments, he clarifies that he isn’t solely focused on queer sexuality or nightlife. Instead, his images document the breadth of his life experiences, marked by cultural nuances from his time in Greece, San Francisco, and Berlin. In Corporeal, still-life shots of everyday items—such as sun-ripened oranges and abandoned wigs—add contrast, serving as pauses within the vibrant flow of human connection.
Rennt believes that the human body itself is a statement of identity, and each body, regardless of appearance, holds unique value. As he notes, “Every person should know they are special in their own way.” With Corporeal, Rennt creates a powerful narrative of queer celebration, where bodies are celebrated not only for their beauty but for their resilience and pride.
