The Embassy of Italy in Washington DC, in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture, will host the exhibition Icons by Italian photographer Guido Harari. With more than 40 pictures taken over 45 years, the exhibition features a photographic journey through the history of music. In display are some of the most fascinating and suggestive portraits of Italian, American and international musicians, such as Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, Paolo Conte, Fabrizio De André, Giorgio Gaber B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Ennio Morricone, Gianna Nannini, Luciano Pavarotti, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Tom Waits, Frank Zappa.
All of them have left a mark in the history of music. In these pictures in black and white and color, Harari manages to convey both the relevance of his subject’s stardom status and the authenticity of their private lives.
Harari is cognizant to the fact that photographing, and being photographed are the most unnatural things in this world. Therefore, he rarely directs his subjects; he prefers to build a creative and positive environment, a state of mind, where they can spontaneously express themselves. Lou Reed said about him: “I’m always happy when Guido takes my picture because I know it will be a musical picture. And it will also have some poetry and feeling to it. The things that Guido captures with his portraits are, generally speaking, ignored by other photographers.”
Each of Harari’s photographs represents a challenge to explore new territories. Every photo is the result of a short-lived connection, a momentary complicity, based on a reciprocal genuine curiosity between the photographer and the subject.
A section of the exhibition is dedicated to some Italian “Icons”, men and women who have distinguished themselves in different fields, ranging from cinema, fashion, and literature to design, architecture and science, in an attempt to visually define Italy’s identity and culture through its most iconic figures. “With the musicians I have always had a kind of telepathy, a quick-acting love affair, which I have also sought outside the musical setting. Dario Fo? Rita Levi Montalcini? Alda Merini? All rock stars for me, maybe even more than Bruce Springsteen or Mick Jagger.” says Guido.
Ambassador Armando Varricchio said: “Looking at Guido’s photographic exhibition, the viewer is reminded of the power of images. Through his lens, Guido explores the inner character of his subjects. In a time when speed often trumps accuracy and quality, Guido’s masterpieces are a safe harbor. His “Icons” – continued Ambassador Varricchio – shaped Italy’s cultural scene and contributed to the successful image our country enjoys worldwide. His pictures capture both their influence and their more intimate nature”.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the exhibition on December 9th at 6:00 pm, Guido Harari will share the stories behind the images, the highlights and the disadvantages of capturing the unique personality of his subjects. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Dwandalyn R. Reece, Curator of the Department of Music and Performing Arts at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, with the presence of Frank Stefanko, photographer and author of the books “Bruce Springsteen. Days of Hope and Dreams “and” Patti Smith. American Artist “.
To participate in the event, please send your RSVP to the mail address culturale.washington@esteri.it
