As loyal readers know, we love vernissages, where the Romans turn out at art galleries for a bit of wine, snacks, and people-watching in addition to examining the art. One of this year's better vernissages, that covers all those bases, is Yoko Ono's installation in the Trastevere section of Rome. Ono recently got turned on by the Futurists at the Tate Modern's (London) vast exhibit. Some of the Futurist Manifesto "hit my eyes," she says, and "my eyes rapidly became filled with tears and I could not read on." The slogans of the Futurists spoke to her: "sing the love of danger, the habit of energy and fearlessness... Courage, audacity, and resolve will be essential elements of our poetry" - "Exactly!" she adds.
Ono's exhibit in Rome features a wall-size photo of the major Futurist figures (see above) plus some objects, including her red hat, John's glasses, and a fish wrapped in Le Figaro, the French paper that published the Manifesto (written by Marinetti) in 1909, making the movement an international sensation. The gallery space she chose was the small one where Futurist artists like Boccioni, Carra' and Severini (with Marinetti and Russolo in the large photo) exhibited their work in the first part of the last century. She spread camphour on the floor - you know, the smell of moth balls. We'll let you figure out what that meant. I was overcome by the smell and took my wine outside - to engage in the intense people watching (photo) ala Romans - leaning against someone's car, propping the wine glass on a car roof - a perfect summer evening.
The installation is open until October 30, at Studio Stefania Miscetti, via Delle Mantellate 14, in Trastevere.
Dianne
1 comment:
Hey, new to your blog! I was in Rome just a few weeks ago and I loved Trastavere and Yoko Ono separately. Together? I would have loved to have seen this, too.
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