MICHAEL STIPE'S ARTISTIC FLIGHT: EXPLORING VULNERABILITY AND RESILIENCE IN MILAN EXHIBITION
Michael Stipe, renowned as the lead vocalist of the iconic band R.E.M., has taken on a new role as a visual artist, presenting his work in a major solo exhibition in Milan. Titled "I have lost and I have been lost but for now I’m flying high," this exhibition is showcased at the Fondazione ICA Milano from December 12, 2023, to March 16, 2024. The exhibition, curated by Alberto Salvadori, marks Stipe's first in an Italian museum and offers a comprehensive view of his creative universe.
Stipe's exhibition features more than 120 works, including some never exhibited before and others of recent production. These works encompass a wide range of artistic languages such as photography, sculpture, ceramics, and audio works. His sculptures pay homage to artists like Constantin Brancusi, Bruce Nauman, Marisa Merz, and include a Roman copy of an ancient Greek sculpture. These works reflect Stipe's vision and the transitional moment we find ourselves in, considering both analog representation and digital creation paths.
The thematic impetus of the exhibition is inspired by Max Ehrmann’s 1927 poem "Desiderata." Stipe interprets vulnerability as a potent driving force, challenging the conventional negative connotations of vulnerability. He views it as a tool for survival and a philosophical approach to charting new paths in the chaos of contemporary life. This concept is further explored in the exhibition through works that deconstruct and reconfigure the original text of "Desiderata," inviting the audience to a broader interpretation.
Stipe's interest in portraiture is evident in the exhibition, where his photographic works capture candid moments of his life and the people around him, including his family, boyfriend, and friends. These photographs reconstruct his most recent publication and are an act of devotion to his loved ones. Additionally, the exhibition includes complex sculptures that serve as tributes to his heroes, rendered through Stipe’s unique approach to non-figurative portraiture.
The exhibition is also accompanied by the publication of "Even the birds gave pause," Stipe's fourth volume of photographs, which delves deeper into the exploration of contemporary portraiture presented in the show. Moreover, a donation program designed for the occasion complements the Fondazione ICA Milano's existing Membership program, with proceeds supporting the institution's cultural programming.
For more detailed information about the exhibition, you can visit the Fondazione ICA Milano's website and R.E.M.'s official website.
"Michael Stipe of REM photographed by Kris Krug" by Kris Krug @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/kk is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
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