Few magazines have made as bold a statement as Butt and its sister publication, Kutt. Both born in Amsterdam, these cult zines broke boundaries and reclaimed queer identity unapologetically. Contributors include german photographer Wolfgang Tillmans and Chloe Sevigny.
BUTT magazine launched in 2001 and quickly established itself as a trailblazer in the realm of queer publications. With its raw, candid interviews, BUTT harkened back to the avant-garde gay aethestics of the past, reclaiming imagery that had been diluted by mainstream assimilation. It sought to fill a void in the media landscape by offering a platform that celebrated authentic queer experiences. Photographer Bruce La Bruce encapsulated BUTT’s mission: to revive and celebrate the unfiltered, authentic experience of gay men.
Kutt Magazine, the lesbian counterpart, emerged in spring 2001 as the sister publication to BUTT embodying the same bold spirit. As recalled by the creators, the inception of Kutt was a spontaneous and collaborative effort:
“Summer 2001, we had dinner with Gert and Jop from BUTT magazine and before we knew it, they had proposed doing a lesbian sister mag. We loved the idea! Before we knew it, we had thought of a name. That name was Kutt, which means cunt in dutch. The perfect reason to and chase the girls of our dreams”
Despite its brief lifespan, Kutt left a significant mark with only 3 issues, ending in 2003 with the final issue signed and cover adorned by renowned fashion designer and photographer Viviane Sassen. This edition like the ones before it, featured a mix of highbrow and provocative imagery.
BUTT and Kutt are more than just magazines, they are cultural artifacts that encapsulates a pivotal moment in queer history, they are deigned to appeal to a smart, cultured audience who like their queer politic cut with fashion, art and pictures of boys and girls in their knickers. They achieved a cultural impact that continues to provoke and inspire.
Inspired by an article spread found in The face magazine April 2002 scanned from our collection. ❀