Extra-Dream
In 2005, Italy was inundated with boats of clandestine refugees arriving daily from Libya and North Africa. I asked three Nigerian migrants —who had recentaly arrived on the island of Lampedusa— to participate in a performance. The young men, who were not artists or actors, recreated the suffering they experienced on their journey, clicking their tongues and repeating together the phrase “We are going forward.” At the the end of the performance, upon arrival at their respective podiums, they began to speak separately, changing the words to “we – are – contemporary – art.”
Artfarm Pilastro, Pilastro di Bonavigo, Verona, 2005
Extra-Dream, video stills
Marlene K, study for Blue Midriff, acrylic and coffee grounds on paper. 70cm W x 33cm H
Marlene K, Blue Midriff, acrylic and coffee grounds on canvas. 270cm W x 600cm H
Marlene K, Extra-Dream, acrylic and coffee grounds on denim. 65cm W x 170cm H each
Marlene K, Olympia (M’ama non M’ama), photo printed on canvas. 400cm W x 250cm H
Olympia (M’ama non M’ama)
with the poet, Natalia Rizzi
“He loves me, he loves me not,” a recounting of the story of a couple, the woman, a poet, and her husband, an immigrant. Natalia participated in this installation performance, reciting her love poems dedicated to Joseph.
Artfarm Pilastro, Pilastro di Bonavigo, Verona, 2015
Olympia (M’ama non M’ama), installation and performance
A selection of embroidered works
Click images to enlarge.
