Malefemale

No age has explored the spectrum of gender with its infinite nuances and variety as ours has.

Humankind's first and most essential dichotomy-that we are created in two natures, male and female-has fascinated artists since the Willendorf sculptor shaped his Venus as unmistakably female. Each sex has connoted different powers and lures over the ages.

Male/Female combines portraits, snapshots, collages, and everything in between to generate a visual conversation that moves fluidly throughout the history of photography. The images utilize intensive self-reflection, humor, and iconic forms to articulate countless expressions of gender. Male/Female features an extensive interview with Madonna and an essay by Wayne Koestenbaum, as well as excerpts from the work of many of today's foremost thinkers. Among the artists included are Claude Cahun, Robert Mapplethorpe, Luigi Ontani, Lucas Samaras, Cindy Sherman, and Laurie Simmons.

Vince Aletti, formerly a music critic at Rolling Stone and elsewhere, is now the photography critic at The Village Voice. He lives in New York City.