Lord of the sofa! The 'cosplay' enthusiasts who love to survey their two-bedroom kingdom dressed as knights In a strangely captivating ongoing project, a Austria-based photographer places his elaborate costume-loving subjects inside their everyday homes. The effect is at once beautiful and confusing. Why is that medieval knight sitting beneath a disco ball? Why is that angel on a stationary bicycle? 'The choice of location is not a coincidence,' explains Klaus Pichler. Nowhere else is the (abstract) link between the person behind the mask and his or her alter ego as visible as in their own home. Nowhere else would it have been possible to portray the mask and, figuratively speaking, the person behind it on the same picture. Just the Two of Us, as the project is known, shows a range of costumes and their enthusiasts: Live Action Role Players (LARPers); Cosplay, or costume players; furries, many of whom view themselves as fur-covered animals and other creatures; Star Wars lovers; medieval knights; and others. So what makes these people engage in such offbeat hobbies? That's what the artist wants to know. 'The purpose of this setting is to create questions,' writes Pichler. Why did the person choose this particular costume? Does the decoration style of the home give any kind of clues? And, most importantly, the question at the centre of it all: Who on earth is hidden behind the mask? Medieval disco? A medieval knight enthusiast rests upon his home's couch in a shot from Klaus Pichler's provocative photographic series about lovers of ornate costumes Just the Two of Us It takes all kinds: The ongoing series delves into the home lives of costume enthusiasts of all stripes: cosplayers, live action role players, furries, Star Wars and medieval knight lovers, and whatever this person is 'Krampus': The krampus is a Santa Claus-like character who, instead of rewarding good children with presents, gives willow twigs. This one also appears fond of fine furnishings Storm Trooper in repose: Over 5000 people make up the worldwide membership of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars fan club. Every member must have a love of the films and a costume of one of the Star Wars 'baddies' Furry: Many so-called Furries, writes Pichler, are animal lovers who identify so much with other species that they dress up to live as them whenever possible. This furry appears to be a rabbit-like creature, but they all develop individual 'avatars' Taking a load off: Cosplayers dress up as characters from anime and other fantasy genres, often to attend conventions with like minded individuals. Or just to sit at home 'Who hasn¿t had the desire just to be someone else for a while?' asks Pichler. Dressing up is a way of creating an alter ego, a second skin which one¿s behaviour can be adjusted to and causes a person to be perceived differently 'The tradition of dressing up and wearing costumes has been part of many traditional special celebrations in society for centuries,' writes Pilcher Puzzling: The costume represents the alter ego whilst the surrounding living space, so to speak, the ¿backdrop¿ or stage design cautiously impart information about the person behind the costume Free to be you and me: This setting allows the person behind the masquerade to shine through,' the activities are not exactly what would normally be expected of the character the costume portrays 'Does the decoration style of the home give any kind of clues?': Pichler's series seeks to gain an understanding of the costume lover with a glimpse into their home and its decor, such as these antique firearms Who hasn¿t had the desire just to be someone else for a while? The series clearly celebrates its subjects' ability to just be themselves, while also leaving the question open of who that self is Keeping it crisp: The photos put a sometimes ridiculous domestic spin on the odd but still fun activity of playing dress up in adulthood Boba fête: Star Wars seems to be a favorite among cosplayers and costume enthusiasts. This one depicts Boba Fett, the famous bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader Fascinating: ¿Fursuiters¿, a sub group of Furries, recreate costumes of the anthropomorphic animal characters which a worn in public during "suitwalks,"' writes Pichler Light at home: In most cases, dressing up is inevitably linked to social activity. On the photos of this series, however, the costume owners stay ¿at home¿ Like the krampus, the Perchten is a monstrous creature with fur, horns, and a fearsome face but instead of frightening children it tries to scare off the winter and usher in the spring Historic: 'The annual historic carnival of Venice is not just a tradition and a tourist attraction but also the reason why many people in different countries around the world spend most of the year planning and crafting Venetian costumes,' writes Pichler Above all: 'Most importantly, the question at the centre of it all: Who on earth is hidden behind the mask?'