AUSTRALIAN
Premiere
Rocco Fasano
Laurie Anderson
by Rita Antonioli
AUSTRALIAN
Premiere
RITA ANTONIOLI
B-Side Music Portraits
Lynette Wallworth
Evolution of Fearlessness
“The results are stark, classic images of very complex
people. Each capturing something unique about the subject.”
Patti Smith
This acclaimed Australian artist returns to Melbourne with
her new work – a touching example of the strength of the
human spirit
From Jane Birkin to Cat Power, David Byrne to Antony of Antony and the
Johnsons, Italian photographer Rita Antonioli has captured a swath of
iconic figures and alt heroes. Many Melbourne Festival artists have posed
for her. Within the 2008 program there’s Philip Glass, Goran Bregovic, Patti
Smith and her bandmate Lenny Kaye, and from previous Festivals, Merce
Cunningham, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Diamanda Galas, John Cale and Laurie
Anderson to name but a few. This exhibition presents a selection of these and
more from Antonioli’s vast catalogue.
An intimate interactive installation that responds to touch, Evolution of
Fearlessness is a sequel to Wallworth’s Unheard Voices: Invisible by Night.
Together the two works deal with loss and its aftermath‚ survival and‚ beyond
that‚ hope and strength.
The B-Side signifies that which is behind the public image. As Carlo Antonelli
of Rolling Stone puts it: “Rita catches the B gaze of musical artists, the B face,
instead of the A side that belongs to the public domain, eye fodder in the
electronic and now digital age of obligatory performance that pays the rent.
The A side certainly doesn’t belong to the subject. The B gaze these artists
have offered to Rita is a pure gift, open, hospitable, free. It is rare and unique.
It’s for Rita and for us, and no one else.”
In creating this work‚ Wallworth filmed portraits of several women residing in
Australia‚ but originating from countries such as Afghanistan‚ Sudan‚ Iraq and
El Salvador‚ who have lived through wars‚ or survived concentration camps
or extreme acts of violence. This powerful series of portraits has particular
resonance as many of the women in this work live in and around Melbourne.
“Occasionally you see an exhibition – and
sometimes just one piece of work – that has
that jawdropping quality, that wow factor ...
All Wallworth’s works have that bit of wow
about them.” The Journal
Rita Antonioli started out as a fashion photographer but is now best known
for her vibrant production shots and, of course, her portraiture. Her work
evinces her acute sensitivities as observer. Antonioli recently published a
selection of her celebrity portraits in her monograph, entitled B-Sides.
the Arts Centre, St Kilda Rd Foyer
www.melbournefestival.com.au
Thu 9 – Sun 26 Oct
9am – 11pm
Murray White Room
Sargood Lane (off Exhibition St)
Melways Ref 1B:T9
www.melbournefestival.com.au
www.murraywhiteroom.com
Thu 9 Oct – Sat 25 Oct
Tue – Fri 11am – 6pm
Sat 12pm – 5pm
Free
Free
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Commissioned by
New Crowned Hope Festival
Produced by Forma
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