It takes a few seconds of visual readjustment to realise that Robert Wilson's portrait of Italian ballet dancer Roberto Bolle (above) actually moves.
Quietly adding another notch to his triumphs in alternative portrait-making, Wilson's latest exhibition is a series of videoportraits of Bolle, who is Étoile (principal dancer) at Milan's La Scala and at the American Ballet Theatre in New York.
Broadcast in a series of 31 videos spread out over 7 rooms, all of which have been filled with iconic Italian design pieces from the last 50 years, this is the first time that Wilson's videoportratis have been connected to the architecture of the space - a pretty remarkable evolution in Wilson's artistic language.
Although the Italian connection might not be that obvious at first glance, it in fact marks the celebration of Italian design as part of I Saloni Milano's 50th Anniversary, which kicks off in New York this December. Accepting an invitation from organisers Cosmit and Federlegno-Arredo, Wilson's commissioned video-art portraiture of Bolle in Center 548's space looks to reflect on the aesthetics of the human form with that of the furniture in the space.
The director's preoccupation with interaction between form and space is no surprise for fans who have come to expect his obsession with both the control of the body and the beauty of movement. Lesser known, is the fact that this sentiment was first roused while watching a work by choreographer George Balanchine when he first moved to New York from Texas in the 1960s.
In a way, Wilson sees collaboration with Bolle as a return to his original interest in the performing arts, which is reason enough for us to revere it.
The exhibition is held in New York's Center 548, and is spread out in 7 rooms
Photography: Luciano Romano
All 7 rooms have been filled with iconic Italian design pieces from the last 50 years
Photography: Luciano Romano
The show marks the celebration of Italian design as part of I Saloni Milano's 50th Annivesary celebration
Photography: Luciano Romano
This is the first time that Wilson's videoportratis have been connected to the architecture of the space - a pretty remarkable evolution in Wilson's artistic language.
Photography: Luciano Romano
Wilson sees this collaboration with Bolle as a return to his original interest in the performing arts
Photography: Luciano Romano
ADDRESS
Center 548
548 West 22nd Street
3rd Floor
New York
-
Yannick Alléno takes over Monsieur Dior: ‘What would Christian Dior do if he were to create a restaurant today?’At 30 Montaigne in Paris, the world’s most Michelin-starred chef reimagines French gastronomy as Christian Dior himself might have dreamt it
-
Oscar Ouyang’s imaginative knitwear makes him a London Fashion Week name to watchThe Guangdong-born designer, who recently graduated from Central Saint Martins, will hold his first runway show at LFW tomorrow. As part of our Uprising column, Wallpaper* gets a preview of the collection
-
The new Nothing Ear (3) are fine-sounding earbuds with added audio functionalityNothing’s latest upgrade brings the Super Mic to its earbud range, enhancing call quality and creating a handy voice memo taker
-
Apple unveils its next-gen camera in a powerful new photography exhibitionThe new iPhone 17 Pro Max takes centre stage in a New York exhibition where artists Inez & Vinoodh, Mickalene Thomas, and Trunk Xu explore the theme of joy
-
Central Park’s revitalised Delacorte Theater gears up for a new futureEnnead Architects helmed an ambitious renovation process that has given the New York City cultural landmark a vibrant and more accessible future
-
Stephen Prina borrows from pop, classical and modern music: now MoMA pays tribute to his performance work‘Stephen Prina: A Lick and a Promise’ recalls the artist, musician, and composer’s performances, and is presented throughout MoMA. Prina tells us more
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekWith the return of back-to-school, it's back to business for the Wallpaper* team, who’ve been making the rounds at fashion pop-ups and pavilion launches. Elsewhere, we’ve been indulging in new literature and old restaurants, and taking in a farewell exhibition at a landmark gallery...
-
Curtains up, Kid Harpoon rethinks the sound of Broadway production ‘Art’He’s crafted hits with Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus; now songwriter and producer Kid Harpoon (aka Tom Hull) tells us about composing the music for the new, all-star Broadway revival of Yasmina Reza’s play ‘Art’
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekHere in the UK, summer seems to be fading fast. Moody skies and showers called for early-autumn rituals for the Wallpaper* team: retreating into the depths of the Tate Modern, slipping into shadowy cocktail bars, and curling up with a good book
-
Richard Prince recontextualises archival advertisements in TexasThe artist unites his ‘Posters’ – based on ads for everything from cat pictures to nudes – at Hetzler, Marfa
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekAnother week, another flurry of events, opening and excursions showcasing the best of culture and entertainment at home and abroad. Catch our editors at Scandi festivals, iconic jazz clubs, and running the length of Manhattan…
