Bel Canto: Contemporary Artists Explore Opera at SITE Santa Fe
From March 16 to September 1, 2019, SITE Santa Fe, in collaboration with the Santa Fe Opera, will host 'Bel Canto: Contemporary Artists Explore Opera.' This exhibition showcases the work of eight global artists who delve into opera-related themes such as architecture, race, gender, and tradition. Notable pieces include Yinka Shonibare's film 'Addio del Passato' (2011), which offers a fresh take on Verdi's La Traviata, featuring Nadine Benjamine. Vasco Araújo's 'Diva' (2000) explores gender ambiguity, while Bill Viola's 'Becoming Light' (2005) alludes to Wagner's Tristan and Isolde. Additionally, William Kentridge's 'Learning the Flute' (2003) hints at his later works. The exhibition includes photographs by Candida Höfer and Matthias Schaller, alongside Guillermo Kuitca's mixed-media collages and Suzanne Bocanegra's reinterpretation of Poulenc's 'Dialogue of the Carmelites' (2018), all within theater-inspired galleries adorned with period furnishings and subdued lighting.
Key facts
- Exhibition runs March 16 to September 1, 2019
- Collaboration between SITE Santa Fe and Santa Fe Opera
- Features eight international artists
- Yinka Shonibare's film 'Addio del Passato' (2011) uses Verdi's La Traviata
- Nadine Benjamine sings in the film wearing African cloth
- Vasco Araújo's 'Diva' (2000) explores gender ambiguity
- Bill Viola's 'Becoming Light' (2005) references Wagner's Tristan and Isolde
- William Kentridge's 'Learning the Flute' (2003) based on Mozart's Magic Flute
- Kentridge directed The Magic Flute at Royal Opera House Belgium (2005) and Brooklyn Academy of Music (2007)
- Candida Höfer photographs Teatro di Villa Mazzacurati di Bologna
- Matthias Schaller captured 150 Italian opera houses over 12 years
- Guillermo Kuitca deconstructs Covent Garden and Santa Fe Opera
- Suzanne Bocanegra's 'Dialogue of the Carmelites' (2018) uses embroidered book leaves
- David Lang composed the musical score for Bocanegra's installation
- Exhibition installed with assistance from opera production crew
Entities
Artists
- Yinka Shonibare
- Nadine Benjamine
- Vasco Araújo
- Bill Viola
- William Kentridge
- Candida Höfer
- Matthias Schaller
- Guillermo Kuitca
- Suzanne Bocanegra
- David Lang
Institutions
- SITE Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Opera
- Royal Opera House Belgium
- Brooklyn Academy of Music
- Fabric Workshop and Museum
- Sonnabend Gallery
- António Cachola Collection
Locations
- Santa Fe
- New Mexico
- USA
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Italy
- London
- Covent Garden
Sources
- artpress —