Yamada Hanako & Alex Hai
LA GONDOLIERA
The exhibition presents an intriguing collaborative venture between an emerging artist and a celebrated but controversial female gondolier, who is also a photographer and film-maker. Both have a passion for Venice and see their roles there as part of a greater adventure and continuing artistic exploration. Expect an original vision of Venice in the guise of an adventuress. In this thought-provoking mixture of fact and fiction, the boundaries are blurred. Is it a true story or a movie in the making?
Introducing Yamada Hanako, currently Artist in Residence at Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa in Venice, and Alex Hai, the “Prima Gondoliera”, who broke with ancient tradition by becoming Venice’s first female gondolier. With a preface by renowned art critic Marco Tagliafierro, this exhibition charts the cinematic journey of “La Prima Gondoliera” through photography. On display are a series of photographs shot by the two artists and a catalogue which gathers an array of articles and artefacts depicting the story of this embattled heroine.
Photographs are in cinematic 16:9 aspect, full bleed. Shots and subjects evoke an emblematic representation of contemporary Venice, a cinematic portrayal of the city as seen through Yamada and Alex’ eyes. Expect a conversation with counterpoints, inviting reflections on the authenticity of images and our desire to give labels.