Doubles

Doubles, the full-length figure of each of the two artists is repeated twice, and in two directions; behind the image of one is the doubled image of the other, in a symmetrical relationship that frequently governs the artists’ compositions. The “doubles ” of the title,, also printed at the bottom of the image, corresponds completely to the image that we see. It conveys the sense of unease that Western culture associates with the idea of the dopplegänger ,as can be seen in numerous examples from literature and psychoanalysis. Literature shows it and depth psychology teaches it.Gilbert &George, each back-to-back with the double of the other, express this with their screaming faces, and the garish colors of their faces and clothing. Mitigating against this impression, however, is the yellow background against which a flowering tree branch is silhouettes, conveying the idea of regeneration and reconciliation.