For who can wonder that man should feel a vague belief in tales of disembodied spirits wandering through those places which they once dearly affected, when he himself, scarcely less separated from his old world than they, is for ever lingering upon past emotions and bygone times, and hovering, the ghost of his former self, about the places and people that warmed his heart of old? [Charles Dickens]
Does self expression flourish under pressure? Is creativity at it’s most acute in times of social, political and financial crises? More than anything do the Arts provide hope during periods of extreme difficulty?
The Great Depression in the 1930’s saw Hollywood enter its Golden Age, a period many still describe as the Imperial Era of cinema. On the eve of WWII in 1939 MGM created Gone with the Wind, still one of the most successful films of all time. The Wizard of Oz, released the same year, became one of the most famous moving pictures ever made and Judy Garland’s rendition of Over the Rainbow has been voted the greatest American movie song of all time by the American Film Institute. Extravagant colour and elaborate sets delighted millions, timeless in their invention and splendour while the music, choreography and elaborate costumes of this period all became instant classics, both on celluloid and stage.
So now, while the financial world alleges we are once again in the midst of a grave depression, could art once more succeed and exceed beyond all limits, providing a platform where all channels of creativity might flourish, stimulate and inspire?
With this in mind, Lingering Whispers has been born. An exhibition comprising over 30 international artists hunting for alternative ways of expression during this crisis. Art and fashion will merge into one, both stage and catwalk, conscious and subconscious combined where imagination will be celebrated and the pigeonholed eliminated. Contemporary artists, poets, performers, fashion designers and photographers will unite in sharing their unspoken vanities, intoxicating fantasies, illusions, longings, dreams and desires. Lingering Whispers is about experiencing, not inert viewing. Art as a stage rather than four blank gallery walls. A glamorous, exquisite alternative to darkness and gloom.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby…
Curated by Predrag Pajdic and produced by Virginie Puertolas-Syn with:
Dom Agius, Errikos Andreu, Barney Ashton, Milijana Babic, Joachim Baldauf, Stefania Bonatelli, Wren Britton, Carolyn Cowan, Fran Dileo, Devin Elijah, Manuel Estevez, Roberto Foddai, Al Giga, Frances Goodman, Christophe Haleb, Katharina Hesse, Daniel Holfeld, Kobi Israel, Pascale Lafay, Scooter Laforge, Emiliano Lazzarotto, Mark Mander, Tupac Martir, Katarina Mootich, Maflohé Passedouet, Petra Reimann, Ricci/Forte, Yvonne De Rosa, Mauro Santucci, Erick Soler, Tapio Snellman, Wolfgang Stiller, Christopher Stribley, Jannis Tsipoulanis & Cyrille Weiner.
1 curator; 1 producer; 35 international artists, designers, photographers, performers; 1 exhibition; 5 events; 1 website; 200 full colour pages catalogue; 150 photographs; 5 video installations; 1 light spectacle, 5 3D installations; 5 live performances; spectacular venue; parties, glamour, fashion, jewellery, champagne, magic, dreams… lingering whispers…
Images: © Daniel Holfeld, All That Openeth The Womb Is Mine, 2010
a selection from the photographic series commissioned for Lingering Whispers
a selection from the photographic series commissioned for Lingering Whispers
Text: © Predrag Padjic for the Pandorian
Lingering Whispers
06 May – 06 June 2010
Opening reception on the 6 May 2010 from 6.30pm
Crypt, St Pancras Church
London NW1 2BA, United Kingdom
06 May – 06 June 2010
Opening reception on the 6 May 2010 from 6.30pm
Crypt, St Pancras Church
London NW1 2BA, United Kingdom
