Cultural Village Foundation Katara in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Doha is pleased to present:
Carlo Rocchi Bilancini
“Pesci fuor d’acqua”
curated by Manuela De Leonardis
Opening 3 January 2016 at 7:30 pm
Italian photographer Carlo Rocchi Bilancini has been working on Pesci fuor d’acqua (Fish out of water) since 2006, when he began photographing characters from the ancient city of Todi and the surrounding area. Each individual is completely immersed in water, fully clothed, and some are depicted holding the tools of their trade.
Between 2006 and 2011, when Skira published the series as a photographic monograph with accompanying texts by Federico Sardella, Antonia Mulas, Malcolm Bull and Brian O’Doherty, Rocchi Bilancini shot more than fifty colour photographs. Many show figures from the art and entertainment worlds, among them Marina Ripa di Meana, Lindsay Kemp and Pino Strabioli.
On occasion of the exhibition organized by the Cultural Village Foundation Katara, in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Doha (curated by Manuela De Leonardis) will be presented a selection of 20 photographs.
In each of these portraits – unexpected, theatrical and surprising – the sitter seems to bloom in the water, epitomizing him- or herself.
‘Water is my natural element,’ explains Rocchi Bilancini. ‘It gives me a sense of peace and well-being, calms my neuroses and obsessions. It’s no coincidence that I’m a Pisces: I love everything that’s fluid and adabtable, maintaining its identity while changing form. I myself am like water. I love the bright colours, turquoise and deep blue, of water. I have also been influenced by the theories of Otto Rank. In his book, The Trauma of Birth, every human being suffers the most intense trauma of his or her life at birth, one from which he or she never completely recovers; this is why we all wish to return to the womb. Through this lens, we see that every type of anxiety can be nothing other than a repetition of the anxiety experienced at birth. In much the same way, every pleasure we experience is a repetition of that first pleasure, that of floating inside the body of our mother. In some sense, the swimming pool must represent a great amnios, and the subjects of these photographs – immersed in a type of amniotic liquid – must have enjoyed a pre-birth experience, a return to Eden.’
Pesci fuor d’acqua has previously been exhibited in 2012, in collaboration with the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in the exhibition space La Piscina on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, during the XIII Architectural Bienniale (curated by Živa Kraus and promoted by Umberto Morera); in 2013 at the Oratorio of Sant’Antonio, Torgiano (Perugia) and in 2014 at the Acta International Gallery in Rome (curated by Manuela De Leonardis).
The Cultural Village Foundation Katara is an exceptional project of hope for human interaction through art and cultural exchange – a project made possible thanks to the inspired vision, solid faith and wise leadership of HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
Keeping pace with the emerging global culture that emphasises the importance of diversity in human development, Katara Cultural Village is the largest and the most multidimensional cultural project of Qatar. It is a place where people come together to experience the cultures of the world. With beautiful theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries and cutting-edge facilities, Katara aims to become a world leader for multi-cultural activities.
In line with the goals set forward by the Qatar National Vision 2030, Katara serves as a guardian to the heritage and traditions of Qatar and endeavours to spread awareness about the importance of every culture and civilization and as such, Katara hosts international, regional and local festivals, workshops, performances and exhibitions.
Information:
3-14 January 2016
opening January 3 at 7:30 pm
Carlo Rocchi Bilancini. Pesci fuor d’acqua
curated by Manuela De Leonardis
in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Doha
Building 19 – Gallery 2, Katara Cultural Village Foundation, West Bay, Doha (Qatar)
www.katara.net
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