Bob Wilson Surprises at Frida Parmeggiani's Merano Exhibition

Bob Wilson made a surprise appearance at the opening of Frida Parmeggiani's double exhibition 'Figurazioni tessili' in Merano, running until January 8, 2017, at Arte Merano and Palais Mamming. Parmeggiani, a textile artist often reduced to a costume designer, created 13 sculptural figures specifically for Merano Arte, her first works outside theatrical constraints. The pieces incorporate natural elements like bark and branches from local woods, emphasizing her connection to the region. Six students from her Mozarteum Salzburg courses contributed installations at Palais Mamming, complemented by photographs by Elisabeth Hölzl documenting the project's genesis. Parmeggiani began her career in 1977 designing costumes for Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 'Frauen in New York' and has worked with Samuel Beckett and André Heller, but her longest collaboration has been with Wilson, for whom she designed costumes for David Byrne, Lou Reed, and Tom Waits. The exhibition celebrates her 70th birthday and her return to her hometown after retiring from stage work.