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The singer Stromae portrayed by Pierre and Gilles. Detail of the poster for the exhibition “Pierre et Gilles, la fabrique des idols” at the Philharmonie de Paris. © Pierre and Gilles

They created colorful imagery, photographed singers disguised as madonnas or rockers as saints or demons ... They are a couple of creators, on stage and in the city: Pierre, the photographer, and Gilles, the painter , are in the spotlight at the Philharmonie in Paris. The exhibition of a hundred of their paintings or album covers are brought together under the title "La fabrique des idols".

For Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard, the artistic adventure begins with love at first sight at a party given by designer Kenzo in 1976. Pierre photographs and Gilles paints:

“ One day, we wanted to take photos inspired by photo booths. We were a little disappointed with the colors and Gilles had the idea of ​​painting on it. So the first photo was with our friend Edwige Belmore, at the time, she was the queen of the punks. "

Modern icons

Etienne Daho, Mick Jagger or Madonna call on Pierre and Gilles. A hundred paintings are exhibited at the Philharmonie ... We find a number of singers and rockers crunched in Madonna or Saints. Tables look like modern icons ...

“ The first religious image we made was Lio as a Madonna, with a wounded heart. In fact, it was not the first, but it was the first singer who became Madonna. There was also Arielle Dombasle. People like to do Joan of Arc. Jeanne d'Arc is number 1 in the hitparade of saints [laughs]… ”

A new generation seduced by the baroque of Pierre and Gilles

Clara Luciani in Madonna, Juliette Armanet in Jeanne d'Arc, or Stromae a bouquet of flowers in hand. Now a new generation of singers appreciates the baroque aesthetic of the duo Pierre and Gilles.

► Pierre and Gilles, the factory of idols , exhibition at the Music Museum, Cité de la Musique, Philharmonie de Paris, until February 23.