Fun Houzz: The Unicorn in the Bath and Other Unbelievable Sights
From the Cookie Monster to DJ Boba Fett, check out these costume fans in their natural environment
Almost everyone has worn a costume at some point in their lives, whether for Halloween, a school play or just make-believe around the house. For some, however, it’s an every weekend thing.
For these costume enthusiasts, there are numerous communities. Cosplay followers dress up as characters from comics, anime, video games and films; LARPers (live action role players) get together to perform fantasy scenarios dressed up as cowboys, knights or other characters; furries wear furry animal suits for fun, and so on. But most costume fans have normal day jobs, families and homes in which they put on regular clothes to cook dinner and watch TV.
Looking to capture this strange world and the people behind it, photographer Klaus Pichler took photos of costume-wearers in full regalia in their most revealing of spaces – their homes.
For these costume enthusiasts, there are numerous communities. Cosplay followers dress up as characters from comics, anime, video games and films; LARPers (live action role players) get together to perform fantasy scenarios dressed up as cowboys, knights or other characters; furries wear furry animal suits for fun, and so on. But most costume fans have normal day jobs, families and homes in which they put on regular clothes to cook dinner and watch TV.
Looking to capture this strange world and the people behind it, photographer Klaus Pichler took photos of costume-wearers in full regalia in their most revealing of spaces – their homes.
Cosplay (’costume’ plus ‘play’) is a Japanese-rooted practice; its followers portray characters from Japanese comics (manga), cartoons (anime) and films. This handmade cosplayer costume depicts Jaken, a character from the InuYasha manga series by Rumiko Takahashi.
Star Wars is perhaps one of the most-loved sources of muses for costume adopters. The 501st Legion is the official worldwide Star Wars fan club, founded in 1997 and based on George Lucas’s film series. Here, a young Stormtrooper sits in a living room.
Meanwhile, Boba Fett spins a DJ set at home.
Pichler says he chose not to reveal any personal information about the people other than what’s shown in their homes. ‘I consciously decided to depict the persons in a way that the civic identities disappear behind the mask,’ he says. ‘I tried to create a special kind of tension that’s linked to the refusal of answering the crucial question, “Who is the person behind the mask?”’
Pichler says he chose not to reveal any personal information about the people other than what’s shown in their homes. ‘I consciously decided to depict the persons in a way that the civic identities disappear behind the mask,’ he says. ‘I tried to create a special kind of tension that’s linked to the refusal of answering the crucial question, “Who is the person behind the mask?”’
This man has donned a 65lb Spartan SPES 256 costume based on the computer game Halo. ‘Most of the depicted people are like you and me,’ Pichler says. ‘They live ordinary lives, but have a fable for a certain kind of costume tradition.’
In the Central European Advent tradition, Krampus punishes bad children while St Nicholas rewards good ones. Costume enthusiasts who dress up as them become active on the night of December 5.
‘Since this series is about various traditions, the most interesting aspect was to research the different backgrounds, habits and behaviours of every tradition,’ says Pichler, who grew up in the easy-going countryside of Austria, where ‘the real adventures had to play in my head, which definitely shaped my imagination that I now use as a photographer.’
‘Since this series is about various traditions, the most interesting aspect was to research the different backgrounds, habits and behaviours of every tradition,’ says Pichler, who grew up in the easy-going countryside of Austria, where ‘the real adventures had to play in my head, which definitely shaped my imagination that I now use as a photographer.’
The mask of this Krampus costume weighs about 22lb. Some masks are made from carved wood. Often the suits are made from goat or sheep fur, and the horns come from goats or cattle.
‘I have been surprised most by the normality of the homes,’ Pichler says. ‘Before starting the series, I expected I’d get to know a bunch of nerds and geeks, but that did not happen. Same for the homes of the people. In most cases, nicely styled flats or houses, of course with some artefacts of the certain tradition they were a part of, but besides that, ordinary homes.’
‘I have been surprised most by the normality of the homes,’ Pichler says. ‘Before starting the series, I expected I’d get to know a bunch of nerds and geeks, but that did not happen. Same for the homes of the people. In most cases, nicely styled flats or houses, of course with some artefacts of the certain tradition they were a part of, but besides that, ordinary homes.’
Another Krampus at home.
Carnival of Venice is an annual historic carnival for which devout revellers spend much of the year crafting Venetian costumes. This angel is part of Vienna’s biggest carnival association.
‘It has always been a positive surprise that each particular costume fit perfectly with either the whole flat or at least one room in it, be it in colour or style or even both,’ Pichler says. ‘Therefore, the decision where to take the picture was quite obvious in most of the cases.’
‘It has always been a positive surprise that each particular costume fit perfectly with either the whole flat or at least one room in it, be it in colour or style or even both,’ Pichler says. ‘Therefore, the decision where to take the picture was quite obvious in most of the cases.’
Once used as the mascot costume for a large consumer brand, this bear costume is now used privately.
Check out these lifelike living sculptures
Check out these lifelike living sculptures
A furry is someone with a keen interest in the ‘humanoid representation of animals in pictures as well as in film and text format’, Pichler says in his artist statement. ‘Furries often view themselves more as animals than people. They create an animal alter ego, and their furry existence constitutes their life philosophy.’
Here, a fursuiter, a subculture of furries, is dressed as a unicorn. His main costume is a tiger. ‘I like to work on topics that are a little strange, shady, awkward or absurd,’ Pichler says.
Run wild with equestrian style
Here, a fursuiter, a subculture of furries, is dressed as a unicorn. His main costume is a tiger. ‘I like to work on topics that are a little strange, shady, awkward or absurd,’ Pichler says.
Run wild with equestrian style
Battle of the Nations is a worldwide competition in which participants practice full-contact combat, Middle Ages-style. This Austrian team member sits in his living room.
‘Every picture is equal; it’s like having children,’ Pichler says. ‘You can’t pick a favourite, because you like each and every one for different reasons.’
Photos in the series are for sale through the Anzenberger Agency in Vienna, Austria.
TELL US…
What is your dream costume? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
‘Every picture is equal; it’s like having children,’ Pichler says. ‘You can’t pick a favourite, because you like each and every one for different reasons.’
Photos in the series are for sale through the Anzenberger Agency in Vienna, Austria.
TELL US…
What is your dream costume? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
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This homeowner created a bespoke Cookie Monster costume for a private carnival celebration.