Deeper into black hole

"Black Hole" in Klagenfurt. All photos by Daniel Janesch.

Here we are. In the middle of the Black Hole again! In the recent thread we could learn more about the idea of this show. This time, the performance slightly differs from the last one. It was a part of exhibition "Seeking beauty and intensity of our existence" lasting from July 8 to September 6, 2020 in Klagenfurt, Germany where Elena Tagliepietra exposed her works. This "Black Hole" celebrated the opening of the exposition and was an official part of World Bodypainting Festival 2020.

In recent article we've got familiar with artist's view on "Black Hole". But let's leave it behind for a moment and let's look at the it with our own eyes. The first impression is, that show is less about spontaneous dancing and more about prearranged and sophisticated movement. In 2014 "Black Hole" the character was a victim of modern world and she was flailing desperately to find her own place in it. Hence her stirring dance. This time, she appears to be more calm and prudent. She learned to survey the environment around. She is careful until she finds a place where she can finally set free her emotions. At the beginning the model is standing still in the middle of the hall, changing her poses slowly, letting the audience to take good pictures. At some point we could think of her as just another exhibit in the room. Her black painted body is glossy, making her look as a statue made with black marble. She's starting to stroll casually around the gallery among patrons, watching the pictures on the wall. This is interesting part, because the model is the piece of art and the the spectator at the same time. Just moments later she stopped at the picture of black painted woman (her alter ego) and started to rub against the wall, leaving black stains on it. Maybe it's her time to leave the mark to the world?

It seems there are improvements since the last show - the bodypainting seems to look better. In recent performance dancer's body was mat and dim. This time the girl is glossy all the time. Maybe other kind of paint was used, or maybe she was exactly covered with oil. Look at the pictures from preparations - it seems that she was painted black already before going to the showroom and there she's been covered with oil just before the beginning. The effect is stunning. With that painting she could be placed on a pedestal in the middle of the gallery room and that would be enough...

As a big lover of BTS, I must appreciate the fact, that Elena Tagliapietra shared at least some pictures from preparations to the show. It gives quite different look on the model - during her performance she's so dynamic, mobile, maybe mysterious in some way. But while preparations we see her character as passive, modest and patient - a human material utilised to create something bigger...

And this is the performer who turned herself into black this time - Laura Magnan:

Laura: portrait in black...

... and Laura off the stage.

If you haven't seen recent article about "Black Hole" performance, check the "Story of black painted woman" and "Welcome to the black hole!" threads. And don't forget to log in and watch the video from the show:

After all we've seen, let's just hope for another "Black Hole" performances...