PREVIEW: ‘THE INFLUENCE OF FELLINI’ Group Exhibit @ Corey Helford Gallery [Los Angeles]

Nathália Suellen
“EXTINCTION”
Digital Ultrachrome on Hahnemuhle Baryta archival paper,
16.5″ x 23.2″

Few filmmakers will ever be as iconic as director/screenwriter, Federico Fellini. The Italian surrealist impacted the medium to such a degree that the term “Felliniesque” was coined and, while defined as relating to the “fantastical or surreal,” his aesthetic incorporates these elements with baroque aspects and earthiness. Known for his distinct visuals and dreamlike sequences, Fellini has not only influenced such filmmakers as David Lynch, Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton, and Peter Greenway, but endless others who may not even be directly aware of it; his blood and soul seeped so deeply into the medium itself and the ways the world has come to view and experience it. This year, Federico would have turned 100 years old and the Corey Helford gallery in donwtown Los Angeles has put together a group art exhibit to pay tribute to the departed legend.

The beauty of the group exhibit format is that it allows each respective artists to interpret a shared theme or concept by filtering it through their own individual aesthetic. When it’s a tribute to another work or artist, the result is most effective when you’re dealing with someone or something with a distinct style as your foundation. With Fellini as the subject, that’s one box that can be checked off without question. The other side to that coin is the artists interpreting the work and their ability to really play to the theme, while having a strong enough voice of their own to contribute. Often, I have to wonder if those involved truly are fans of the figure that they are paying tribute to in situations like these. When it works, it can work smashingly. When it doesn’t… it works less smashingly. What I like about the particular press release from this Influence Of Fellini show is that they’ve presented something in a manner that I’m not sure that I’ve ever really seen before. In the release, they quote some of the actual artists participating in this show and offer up their heartfelt explanations about the impact that the auteur has made on them and their contributions, if not their work at large.

Read the following excerpts from the press release:

Illustrator and participating artist Eva Montanari, who like Fellini, was born and raised in Rimini, Italy, shares: “As a child growing up in Rimini, I use to watch Fellini’s films and my favorite was Amarcord. I studied his shots and way of telling a story but I would imagine my own version of how to tell the story. His figurative pictorial references are many and different.” The group show will showcase Montanari’s original illustrations from her children’s book, Federico.

Another participating artist from Italy, Nunzio Paci, shares his inspiration: “I watched Juliet of the Spirits many times. The artwork in the group show reflects my current exploration of the natural world and its connections with the dream sphere, nostalgia and memory, all themes in common with Fellini’s oeuvre.“

Missouri-based artist Lauren Marx sees a connection between her work and Fellini’s artistic eye and cinematography: “I see similarities with the use of religious imagery, earthy imagery, baroque and fantastical themes. All of which are important to my work. I can also see a slight connection between the composition of my piece and some of the beautiful compositions he created.”

Curator Caro Buermann shares, “I revisited many of Fellini’s classics in the process of organizing this show and got to know Fellini as the ultimate dreamer. He cared about creating experiences for his audience, to tell a story, to amuse, and this has had a big influence on me. Fellini said, ‘Realism is a bad word. In a sense everything is realistic. I see no line between the imaginary and the real.’ The works on display in this exhibit walk this fine line between reality and surreality.”

The Influence Of Fellini: A Surreal 100th Birthday Celebration group exhibit opens this Saturday, January 25th, and will feature contributions from over 60 different artists including names like Mark Mothersbaugh and Ron English. If you’re able to make it out for this one, we definitely recommend it.

List Of Featured artists:

Adrian Cox, aica, Alexandra Bastien, Bei Badgirl, Brandi Milne, Caia Koopman, Carol Liu, Chloe Early, Christybomb, Dan Lydersen, Dilka Bear, Dosshaus, Eva Montanari, Handiedan, HERAKUT, Hirabayashi Takahiro, Ian Francis, Ivana Flores, Jackie Dunn Smith, Jana Brike, Jang Koal, JD King, Junko Mizuno, Kazuki Takamatsu, Korin Faught, Krista Huot, Krovblit, Kukula, Lauren Marx, Lioba Bruckner, Lola, Lu Cong, Luke Chueh, Marc Scheff, Meredith Marsone, Messy Desk, Michael Campbell, Miho Hirano, Miss Van, Naoto Hattori, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Nicomi Nix Turner, Nunzio Paci, Oliver Hibert, ONCH, Relm, Rhiannon Valenti, Richard J Oliver, Ron English, Ryan Heshka, Sarah Folkman, Sasha Ira, seenaeme, Shark Toof, Soey Milk, Stella Im Hultberg, Sylvia Ji, Tarntara Sudadung, The London Police, Tina Yu, Troy Brooks, Vyal One, Yosuke Ueno, Yuka Sakuma, and Zoe Byland.

Check out preview images for the exhibit below the following event details…

WHAT:

‘The Influence Of Fellini: A Surreal 100th Birthday Celebration’
Group Exhibit

WHEN:

Opening:
Saturday, January 25th, 2020
7pm-11pm

WHERE:

Corey Helford Gallery
571 S Anderson St (Enter on Willow St)
Los Angeles, CA 90033

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Opening is ALL AGES w/NO COVER
Several artists will be in attendance
Show on view until Saturday, February 29th, 2020
Gallery hours: Tues – Sat. noon – 6pm
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/478970559471728/