David Zwirner’s Hong Kong gallery put on a solo exhibition of Wolfgang Tillmans in The Point Is Matter from 25 March to 11 May, 2024.
From soft atmospheric moments, intimate still lifes and portraits to abstract studio videos. Spanning two floors, the photographer and artist presents his work as if in conversation with each other, meticulously planned to get the most out of the white-walled space. Tillmans’ universal perspective comes through in new and old works originating from his travels to Addis Ababa, Berlin, Lagos, and Mongolia, alongside those rooted in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, forging a link to local sensibilities.
“Hong Kong as a subject matter, is infinitely interesting, fascinating because it is such an international place with, obviously, Chinese culture and its own culture. I mean, I’ve felt moved here every time by the incredible energy, resilience, and joy,” says Tillmans. The pivotal figure of contemporary art took our photographers on a tour of the Hong Kong show, look on through their eyes and in his words…
Wolfgang Tilmans pictured.
“This installation is the result of a long evolving conversation or thinking about this space. Yesterday I saw [another] photography exhibition, which was very traditional, which showed one photograph next to the other frame. And it just reminded me of 1992, when I developed my style of installation, I mean, it was a natural reaction. For me, I couldn’t do anything else because why would I show everything in a line when I’m actually in the space? Since a young age, I have loved churches, I loved museums, I love the spatial experience of art. And that is the privilege that we have in these laboratories,” says Tillmans during the tour.
“This is not like a time-lapse. This is how fast the Earth rotates. And then the moon slips through the view of the camera and all the videos are set to songs that are part of an album that will be released next month. The piece is set to pictures that are filmed during the printing process of my book, abstract pictures in a giant printing press for colour offset printing press, and I like to go to the press to see the exact colours of the printing. And then, of course, when the run goes to the machine, you have nothing to do, and I just love the sound of the machines, just peeking through all the holes and different ways of where the ink is replenished on top. What was being printed were my abstract pictures. The subject matter was so well suited to this abstract composition. The whole thing with this kind of work is paint in liquid ink.”
“These works in these spaces relate to my thinking about the world that surrounds me. Even though my thoughts are so often occupied with the past and the future, with thoughts, concepts, spirituality, and emotions, all of that is ultimately round and around matter. The very how things feel and how things work. And some could say what is he talking about? The most basic truism, everything matters. But I hope some people can sense this sense of being in the now, being respectful of your environment, trying to understand things. Also being constantly open to look at things from different perspectives and be open to change.” says Tillmans.
After a three-year absence, Kelela’s return to Melbourne graced the Royal Exhibition Building with her soulful prowess at the inaugural Now or Never Festival.
Opening the night were the captivating performances by Serpentwithfeet and local DJ MIRASIA. On a Sunday evening in August, this Melbourne concert became an immersive journey into the realms of R&B and an experiment in music production.
The Festival’s musical lineup was a thoughtful, curated blend of complementary R&B styles. From the avant-garde sounds of serpentwithfeet to the artistry of Kelela and the dynamic mixes of MIRASIA, the audience was in for a genre-defying experience. Under the soaring arches of the venue, a diverse and eclectic crowd gathered, comprising dedicated Kelela enthusiasts, local artists, and fashion-forward youth. The ambience was further enhanced by a mesmerizing floor-to-ceiling LED screen backdrop for the deconstructed club music to come.
MIRASIA DJ sets transitioned through the awkward silence between performers. Her performance was amplified by an ensemble of ballroom dancers against a backdrop of vivid red, pink, and blue lights. At times, the music ventured into exhilarating yet slightly chaotic electronic mixes that echoed with crowd favourites. Followed by serpentwithfeet, who took the audience through intimate sound bites and emotionally charged adlib monologues. The performance felt like a personal conversation with the crowd, drawing them in with his raw energy. Leaving everyone in anticipation of what was to come.
serpentwithfeet in Melbourne. Photo Courtesy of Now or Never.
When it was time for Kelela to perform, lights, claps, and puffs of smoke, a journey through her illustrious discography unfolded. She seamlessly moved through remixes, edits, and tracks from her earlier works like ‘Cut 4 Me’ to her latest album, ‘Raven.’ Kelela’s sparkling look captured angelic stage moments. The intimate lighting brought the audience closer to her and, coupled with the reverberating bass filling the hall, added a magical touch to the atmosphere. Other moments in the show ranged from slow renditions to electrifying dance parties to let the audience find their own connections.
With her latest album, ‘Raven,’ exploring vulnerability, ambient techno, and release. She seamlessly navigated between minimalist club beats and celestial R&B. After a period of relative silence on social media, Kelela expressed gratitude to her dedicated fans for their unwavering support, dubbing it an “act of self-care.” As a respite from the usual club and techno mixes that dominate Melbourne’s nightlife scene. This authenticity was felt throughout her performance, reflecting the depth and versatility of Kelela’s artistry. As the night unfolded, the audience got lost in Kelela’s seductive music alongside an innovative soundscape for soul-releasing dance.
From MONA, Night Mass, Altar to the Odeon Theatre, find out where to go and what to see.
Dark Mofo is synonymous with artistic exploration, immersive experiences, and provocative displays, a winter festival for arts, culture and music in the heart of Hobart. This year, the two-week-long festival brought in the likes of Black Flag, Eartheater, Tianzhuo Chen, Laurel Halo, Dean Hurley, Max Richter, Ryoji Ikeda, Berlin Atonal, and ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U. Alongside a new vanguard of Australian artists from GLVES, Tasman Keith, V, Arcana, Kaylani, Kinder and OKENYO.
Then across the waters is MONA — Museum of Old and New Art — founded by David Walsh and accessible via a 25-minute ferry ride from the city in an art-deco bar boat. On show now is Oceans of Air (17 December 2022—24 July 2023), a solo exhibition of Tomás Saraceno that approaches the Argentinian artist from a native lens. Paintings, sculptures and interactive works are on view to reflect our relationship with nature, society and spiders.
AT MONA
Oceans of Air, curated by the in-house team Emma Pike and Olivier Varenne, separate the exhibition into over eleven rooms of dark-walled encounters with nature. Within the subterranean galleries, a serenity follows as you walk through the maze of literal spider webs in Webs of At-tent (s)ion. Then there are declarations of ‘Invertebrate Rights’ and sound installations that make up a wire-strung symphony.
The 4pm orchestra show is a project by Tasmanian musician Dean Stevenson, who writes a new piece of music every day from scratch and performs it at 4pm with a different ensemble of musicians. Grab a drink and sit in the open lounge, or for something more private behind closed green curtains The Lady’s Lounge for high tea. Then there is Event Horizon by James Turrell, an immersive experience of the Ganzfeld Effect, leaving you feeling lost between the beginning and end.
Newly opened inside the MONA Library is a recording studio open to public bookings with a viewing glass to studio sessions by The Frying Pan Studio. Inside is original equipment from The Beatles Abbey Road Album, Pink Floyd and The White Stripes. Be part of history.
Western Flag, John Gerrard, Dark Mofo 2023. Photo credit: Andy Hatton, 2023.
DARK MOFO
A two-week-long winter festival for arts, culture and music that takes over the city of Hobart at night.
NIGHT MASS
Unveiling Hobart’s Underground from Altar, The Grand Poobah, The Alleway and an Underground Cinema.
In Altar, graffiti-clad walls set the scene as international DJs deliver melodic techno, bass, and trance on the upper floors. Downstairs, immerse yourself in hardcore metal, rap, and raunchy drag shows that defy convention. With every hour, new performers take the stage until dawn.
Seek solace in Poobar’s back room, where tarot card readings intertwine with string melodies and theatre performances of the oracle predictions. As you venture further into the labyrinthine depths of Nightmass, stumble upon the underground cinema nestled by the Alleyway entrance. The Alleyway hosts loft DJs surrounded by outdoor campfires, where the underground cinema offers satirical theatre and drag bingo.
And if you’re lucky enough to enter the coveted Red Room in the Odeon Theatre, prepare to be enchanted by boundary-breaking performances. Be quick, though, as space fills up swiftly once a show concludes, or you’ll be lining up for hours. Night Mass is an immersive journey into Hobart’s underground scene.
TRANCE Photo credit: Rosie Hastie, 2023.
But the stand out performance showcasing underground sub-cultures was TRANCE by Tianzhuo Chen (Thu 8 – Sat 10 June). The ‘3 day rave’ put on three 12-hour long performances in an immersive nature-scape with art installations, interpretive characters, bass DJs and music performances. Artists from around the globe flew in to participate including Dis Fig, City, KIM KHAN, Lavinia Vago, OMI, and ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U.
ODEON THEATRE AND IN THE HANGING GARDEN
Two music venues for international and local acts in a historic theatre and open-air stage.
The opening night show In The Hanging Garden tilted The Gathering — saw powerful verses of BARKAA, the alluring flow of Tasman Keith, and the soulful dameeela. These remarkable First Nation artists forge a profound connection with the audience and land, setting the tone for the rest of the festival. Amidst this symphony of sounds, In The Hanging Garden is a multi-level outdoor venue adorned with cathedral-like light installations serving local wine or food from wild wallaby, pepperberry and more.
Then at the Odeon Theatre, its architecture is reminiscent of a bygone era. The ornate details, from the intricately carved pillars to the rich tapestries adorning the walls, create an atmosphere of musical grandeur. PS. It’s the location of The Red Room, but only expect a seat if you arrive by midnight when doors open.
As for the shows, the first weekend saw Black Flag’s unapologetic energy and Thundercat’s instrumental jazz, while Ethel Cain’s haunting melodies closed out the weekend.
Enter the ethereal realm of Borderlands I, where Dean Hurley and Laurel Halo, two electronic composers from the United States, created soundscapes of tension and cinema to sit back and relax too. The second weekend for Borderlands IV will host Tujiko Noriko, Hiro Kone, KMRUKEN and Hüma Utku for their rendition of the electronic music concept.
Crosses, Dark Mofo 2023 Photo credit: Rosie Hastie, 2023.
WINTERFEST AND DARK PARK
Feed the body at Winterfest and the soul at Dark Park this winter solstice at Dark Mofo.
As the frosty air wraps the city in its embrace, the people come out to play at night. Winter Feast beckons, a nightly feast where local and international cuisines intertwine over communal tables, fire pits and live music. From spit roasts, seafood, local wines and craft beers, the indoor-outdoor halls lit from neon red crucifixes and hourly fireworks have their own rugged charm.
Spectra, Ryoji Ikeda, Dark Park, Dark Mofo, 2023 Photo credit: Remi Chauvin, 2023.
Dark Park, nestled within the former industrial site of Macquarie Point, blends raw and weathered elements with contemporary design. As you traverse the landscape, Spectra commands attention with its towering presence. A monumental beam of light crafted by Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda can be seen throughout Hobart. But the ancient ritual of Ogoh-Ogoh genuinely captures the spirit of Dark Park. The pinnacle event is on the festival’s final night, as the Ogoh-Ogoh is set ablaze. In this ritual, the audience is invited to write their hopes, dreams, and wishes on paper, which they then cast into the bonfire. A practice of catharsis and release to end the two-week-long festival of art, culture and debauchery.
Winterfest and Dark Park become the epicentre of Dark Mofo’s enchantment as the winter solstice casts its spell.
From alpine mountains in Lake Como, Tuscan towns, historical haunts in Venice to fashion capital Milan, there is a lot to be envied. With a culture dating back thousands of years, the country strikes a balance between tradition and contemporary living. With everything to offer, read on for our top boutique and luxury stays.
STAY
Agriturismo Le Radici, Lake Como (Image Courtesy of Sarah Wei)
Agriturismo Le Radici, Lake Como
A secluded farmhouse behind Lake Como, is a must stay for locally owned and operated artisanal adventures just a short ride from the buzz of Milan. The countryside abode sits among the mountains, with access to the property only via Jeep pick up from the team or a thirty minute hike from the town of San Fedele Intelvi. The farm produces nearly one hundred percent of its own produce from vino, cheese, pasta to polenta, honey and fruit. The cured meats are hunted from the wild boar native to the area, as for the other wildlife you’ll find them walking freely across the grasslands from llamas, sheep, cows to horses imported from the owners hometown in Sardinia. Run by a humble couple, one from the local area of Como and the other Sardinia are conscious about the environment and continually looking for sustainable ways to run their small-scale operation. While adding their own taste of fusion to each dish — music bread or ravioli — pulling from a seasonal menu. With snow capped mountains in the Winter or lush Summer gardens this place is a fairy tale in nature.
Agriturismo Le Radici / Alpe di Blessagno, 22028 Blessagno – Valle Intelvi, Como, Italy / +39 347 7403132 / info@leradiciagriturismo.it / leradiciagriturismo.it
Locanda al Colle, Tuscany
Soaking up Italy’s finest wines, while enjoying the Tuscan beachside, Locanada al colle is a panoramic guest house in the hills of Versilia. Situated an hour’s drive from Pisa, and less to Lucca, you can even take a trip to the ancient Estruscian city of Volterra. Hugging beach and vineyards, the twelve room stay is pet friendly and includes three suites, a salt water pool and jacuzzi. Plus access to a private beach club, Bagno Chimera in Marina di Pietrasanta. With vintage art deco and marble sculptures, each room feels dusted in warm, olive and creme colors that reflect the natural surroundings it sits in. While a private chef serves up local produce from breakfast to dinner, or pop into a cooking class to get a taste of the region’s hearty cuisine. The gorgeous family run business is the romantic vision of Tuscany you’ve been looking for.
Locanda al Colle / Via la Stretta, 231, loc. Capezzano Pianore, 55041 Camaiore, LU, Italy / +39 0584 915 195 / info@locandaalcolle.it / locandaalcolle.com
Aman, Venice
Go back in time to the palatial settings of the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli at Aman in Venice. The 24 room hotel is replete with spa, gym, library, private jetty and gardens, with suites offering views of the Grand Canal. A hidden gem in the historic building is their intimate spa that is a must for scrubs or massages that will bring you to Asia with fragrant scents, a soaking tub and treatments. Adorned with painted ceilings from 18th-century painter Tiepolo, silk walls and chandeliers from the lobby to the rooms, Rococo artworks are paired beautifully with the compteroary stylings of Jean-Michel Gathy. Rising from the sea this ancient city is a world not far from fantasy whether for its grand canals, Basilica, biennials, glassmaking or cicchetti.
Aman / Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo 1364, 30125 VE, Italy / +39 041 2707333 / amanvenice.res@aman.com / aman.com/hotels/aman-venice
Four Seasons, Milan
19th Century, Vaulted Ceilings Arch Over Heated Pool in Four Seasons Milan (Image Courtesy of Four Seasons Milan)
With an underground spa and pool in the heart of Milano’s designer fashion district, the former 15th Century Convent has style from heel to Murano chandelier. Spread across three interconnected buildings the 118 room hotel surrounds a central courtyard garden. Suites laced in marble, terracotta and earth tones balance well with the neighboring architecture and history, while contemporary touches bring a sense of peace next to Via Gesù. It’s the modern vision of Italy, from the Duomo, Galleria to Fashion Week.
Four Seasons Hotel Milano / Via Gesù, 6-8, 20121 Milano MI, Italy / +39 02 77088 / fourseasons.com/milan
A SMALL JEWEL
Porto di Portoferraio, Isola d’Elba (Image Courtesy of Bjorn Agerbeek Unsplash)
Isola d’Elba, Tuscany
With Tuscany’s manicured gardens, rustic vineyards and rolling hillsides, visions of Elba Island are for seaside lovers instead. Sun-soaked from coast to coast, Napoleon’s getaway is an hour ferry ride from the mainland, and is full of pebble-stoned beaches, yachts, boats and seafood luxury. Spiaggia di Pomonte and Relitto di Pomonte are for the snorkelers out there where a sunken ship just of the beach dwells beneath the surface, then the town of Capoliveri is a fortress of history that sits at the height of the eastside with views onto the sea.
Art patrons look no further than Milan, from international to local acts. Whether cat walk fashion, large-scale installations in vast museum settings, or solo shows at global galleries, we’ve got your summer itinerary sorted.
Milano Fashion Men’s Fashion Week
(17 June 2022 – 22 June 2022)
Milano Moda Uomo 2022 is set to kick off in June with Spring/Summer fashion features from classic Italian brands like Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, Etro, Prada and Tod’s.
Multiple locations across Fiera Milano City, Viale Lodovico Scarampo, 20149 Milano MI, Italy, fieramilano.it/
Milan Design Week
(07 June 2022 – 12 June 2022)
Crowned the world’s biggest furniture fair, Milan Design Week is set to take place in the Fiera Milano exhibition center, drawing inspiration from the classics presented in Salone del Mobile. This year focuses on sustainability.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana & da Vinci Codex Exhibition (June 2022)
Delve into the mind of scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci coupled with paintings from the 14th and 15th century by artists like Raphael, Caravaggio, Tiziano and Botticelli. Go early to avoid crowds and distractions.
Address: Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Piazza Pio XI, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italy, ambrosiana.it/en/
Esxence
(15 June 2022 – 18 June 2022)
Unites perfume enthusiasts with a myriad of fragrances to sample.
MiCo, Milano Convention Center, Piazzale Carlo Magno, 1, 20149 Milano MI, Italy, esxence.com
Tadashi Kawamata: Nests in Milan
(31 March 2022 – 23 July 2022)
Installation, painting and more with Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata covering boundary-breaking works that draw inspiration from human relations, under Milan’s social context.
Displayed along the walls of Antonio Boschi and Marieda di Stafano former apartment are over 300 pieces of 20th-century art by some of the best artists like Piero Marussiq, Giorgio Morandi, Enrico Baj and many more. Catch The Invisible event dedicated to Valentino Vago and Silvio Wolf until the 5th of June 2022, which features both painting and photography works.
After a year of delays from the global pandemic, the Venice Biennale (23 April – 27 November 2022) is set to finally open its doors in museums from Palazzo Grimani, Palazzo Ducale Venezia to Casa dei Tre Oci. The canal-drenched city is dressed to impress visitors and locals alike this spring with exhibitions featuring internationally admired and local Italian artists such as Marlene Dumas and Sabine Weiss. Read on for the top 6 must-see shows and where to find them.
‘Losing (Her Meaning)’ (1988) by Marlene Dumas. Image Courtesy of Pallazo Grassi.
This exhibition is a dedication to the hundreds of art pieces by South African artist Marlene Dumas. Curated by Caroline Bourgeois expect an immersive experience across two floors of Palazzo Grassi with pieces from Dumas’ early days of collage and texts to oil paintings and sketches. Many works follow what the artist titles second-hand image-making a patchwork of magazine and newspaper clippings often shot by other photographers offer new perceptions on old and new emotions. Featuring Dumas’ authentic art gathered from private collections, international museums, and her most recent unseen works.
Address: Rugagiuffa, 4858, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Archinto features a wide array of recent paintings designed by German artist Georg Baselitz. Displayed across twelve stucco framed panels, his works encapsulate Venice’s architecture and decoration in the eighteenth century through the theme of Renaissance portraiture. The works presented throughout draw attention to traditional Venice art, highlighting the separation present between traditional themes of Renaissance portraits and their contemporary counterparts. Archinto showcases the recent works of Baselitz alongside his unique style of printmaking as shown throughout his paintings.
Address: Rugagiuffa, 4858, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Tap into the creative world of Franco-Swiss photographer Sabine Weiss through The Poetry of the Instant. This exhibition pays tribute to Weiss’ creations from 1935 to the 1980s where the artist focuses on capturing life and emotions within themes from street photography to children, in a French humanist photography style. Displaying over two hundred photographs, The Poetry of the Instant also features Weiss’ works from Vogue in the 50’s, giving an insight into the artist’s collaboration works with other talents like William Klein, Henry Clarke and Guy Bourdin.
Address: Fondamenta Zitelle, 43, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy
Artistic works from both Museum Barberini and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, showcasing creative talents like Max Ernst, Leonara Carrington, Giorgio de Chirico and Remedios Varo. Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernitywill feature around 90 works from private collections and international museums like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The curatorial draws upon esoteric symbolism in an era where magic had a poetic influence on art.
Address: Dorsoduro, 701-704, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Co-curated by Danh Vo and Chiara Bertola, this exhibition displays the works of Vietnamese contemporary artist Danh Vo, alongside leading Korean artist Park Seo-Bo and American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Spanning across all rooms of Fondazione Querini Stampalia, the sculptures and paintings delve into human play, repetition as well as global power structures and cultural conflicts. This show aims to commemorate Vo’s creations over the years, coupled with Noguchi’s trademark Akari lamps and paintings from Park’s famous Écriture series.
Address: Campo Santa Maria Formosa, 5252, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
‘Occhio di lucertola (eye of lizard)’ (1960) by Afro Basaldella. Image Courtesy of Christian Bahier et Philippe Migeat – Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI /Dist. RMN-GP
Ca’ Pesaro opens its doors to an exhibition like no other featuring works from one of the greatest names in 20th-century Italian art, Afro Basaldella. Featuring 45 masterpieces from drawings to authentic videos, each work highlights the link between Italian and American art styles. As shown through Basaldella’s collaborative works with American artists like Pollock, De Kooning and Gorky, this biennial honors the artist’s timeless creations of action painting and abstract expressionism with Italian and American influence, a skill adopted through Basaldella’s knowledge of the 1950s to 1970s American art scene.
Address: Santa Croce, 2076, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
We interviewed Paul Fu, the Content Director of Ubisoft; a leading company in video game development. We asked who his favorite artists are today and give you the low down on their concepts of utopic and dystopic worlds.
Fu lists a diverse list of artists from all over the world; directors, composers and illustrators including Piotr Jabolonski, Denis Villeneuve and Hildur Guðnadóttir. We can see these artists’ impacts throughout the creative industry and their rise to fame ranges from being household names to emerging artists. Read on to find out more about their universes.
This excerpt is part of our ‘Rapid Fire’ series from our interview with Paul Fu. The full feature on ‘Utopian Worlds in Gaming’ will be coming out thisFall in print.
Interview by Alister Gibson
Piotr Jablonski
Tomcat Brothers, Piotr Jablonski, Digital Illustration, 2014 (Artwork Courtesy of Piotr Jablonski, via Piotr Jablonski’s behance.com)
A freelance concept artist and illustrator aka nicoponim, based in Poland. Creates chilling, dark dystopian works for an array of large game developers. From graffiti on local buildings in his youth to now boasting an impressive client list contributing to big games such as Destiny, Dishonored 2 and the Darkborn demo; Jablonski’s has worked on promotional advertisement projects and crept into in-game artworks. Jablonski’s artwork is respected around the globe with fans coming out of the woodwork on imageboard forums, and in particular, his Tomcat Brothers series that gained him somewhat of a cult following.
Johann Johannsson
Last and First Men, Johann Johannsson, Film Still, 2020 (Film Still Courtesy of Wendy Mitchell, via screendaily.com)
Johann Johannsson has become a titan of the industry over the years. The Icelandic composer has had an industrious career completing over 70 productions of which are solo albums, plays, and blockbuster films including, Prisoners, Theory of Everything, Arrival, and Sicario. Johannsson’s colossal catalog varies greatly in styles from uplifting acoustics to melancholy, dark, and searching synthetic sounds Prisoners, Sicario, and even a Blade Runner 2047 which was unused but many fans dying to hear what he conjured up for the film. His budding chemistry and frequent collaboration with soon-to-be juggernaut director Denis Villeneuve sadly have been cut short as Johannsson suddenly passed away in 2018. Last and First Men his last ever project and his directorial debut released in 2020 was a sweeping success that received critical acclaim.
Hildur Guðnadóttir
Another Icelandic composer, Hildur Gudnadottir, took the industry by storm in 2019 composing both Joker and the series Chernobyl. Both were great successes that earned her an array of awards taking in multiple Grammy awards, namely an Academy Award, an Emmy, and many others; only a Tony Award would have completed to coveted EGOT. Despite her rampant success with film scores it actually makes up a small portion of her career. Releasing over 20 projects as a musician, both solo and collaboration, Hildur has amassed a diverse fan base with her works drifting from experimental electronic to more contemporary classics. She seems to have an album for most tastes out there today. The future is very bright for Hildur, 2019 proved that her Icelandic secret is no longer a secret. David O. Russell’s new project which began filming earlier this year will feature Gudnadottir as the sole music composer; this film is shaping up to be a blockbuster based on the sheer star power with actors including Christan Bale, Margot Robbie, Chris Rock, Taylor Swift, and Robert Deniro. It should be something to look out for, or in this case, hear out for.
Denis Villeneuve
Dune, Denis Villeneuve, 2021 (Courtesy of Luke Plunkett, via Kotaku.com)
Denis Villeneuve is being touted as this generation’s Spielberg. Many deemed this would be a tough ask tackling making a sequel to the infamous cult classic Bladerunner but Villeneuve did outstanding, producing a cult classic in its own right for an entirely new generation. Villeneuve’s next big challenge was an adaptation of the Sci-Fi franchise Dune; created by author Frank Herbet in 1965. Critics predict Dune could be the next Star Wars if done right. His signature dark, even demented at times, creative shooting mixed with his captivating techniques proves to be utterly mind-melting at times, the film Enemy encapsulates this perfectly. With Dune finally released in September, after being delayed by Covid-19, we can see Villeneuve’s mettle and acknowledge that Dune really did live up to the hype.
