“Lucienne Bloch: dentro la vita di Frida Kahlo” will take place in Rome from May 5th
06 May 2017
The new exhibition “Lucienne Bloch: dentro la vita di Frida Kahlo” will take place in Rome at the Thesign Gallery -via Piemonte 125|A- from May 5th to July 1st.
The photographic exhibition is a collection of 76 images (among which 8 sketches) of Frida Kahlo’s life realized by Lucienne Bloch. The show casts a new light on the highlight and the everyday life of an artist who made the history of her own Country and went far beyond the borders of Mexico.
More than sixty photos represent Frida and the Mexican environment in a close and frank way; there is her together with her husband, or her in a pensive pose next to the window, or her at the railway station frowning because of the sun.
The unique and original setting aims at including visitors in the scene. As the title itself reads, dentro la vita di Frida Kahlo [Inside the life of Frida Kahlo], those who come in the rooms of Thesign Gallery are invited to feel part of an unparalleled atmosphere. The purpose of the curators is to make each visitor feel as if he or she were the personal photographers of Frida. The objective is to recall the life of the Mexican painter through the camera lens. Not only does this exhibit illustrate the friendship between Frida Kahlo and Lucienne Bloch but it also provides a characterization of the Mexican painter from a privileged and deep perspective.
The exhibition is organized in partnership with the gallery Ono Arte Contemporanea of Bologna, the Westin Excelsior Hotel of Rome and the publishing company Rapsodia Edizioni. Moreover, the show is held with the patronage of the Mexican Embassy and of the Regione Lazio.
Lucienne Bloch (1909-1999) was an American photographer of Swiss origin. Her father, Ernst Bloch, Swiss composter and violinist, approved her dedication to the art world and encouraged her career since her early childhood. She is best known for her association with the Mexican artist Diego Rivera who introduced her to his wife, Frida Kahlo, giving rise to a long lasting friendship. The exhibit starts exactly from there, from a special vantage point. More than sixty photographs taken from a close perspective represent Frida’s natural habit; there is Frida deep in her thoughts next to the window or frowning at the railway station because of the sunlight. Inside Frida’s life and next to Lucienne’s lens to capture the best and worst moments of an extraordinary and tormented life. Despite what one may think, however, their first meeting was way far from being calm and peaceful.
“I hate you”, these were the first words said by Frida Kahlo to Lucienne. It was 1931 and there was a party for Diego Rivera at the MOMA of New York. At the time Block used to work as his assistant which made Frida hastily think she was one of his husband’s lovers. But looks can be deceiving. Eventually Lucienne proved to be a true and reliable friend; she was by her side after her abortion, her mother’s death and the continuous betrayals of Rivera.
Frida and Lucienne shared political ideals and a sincere passion for art.
The political interests together with the common denominator of art and a stable basis of values strengthen the understanding and synergy between Kahlo and Frida. Not only does this photographic exhibition illustrate their friendship but it also provides a picture of the Mexican painter from a privileged and deep perspective.
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