On The Stage now, ‘Romeo, Romeo! Drop me a š ‘celebrating the legacy of William Shakespeare and our home in Shoreditch
On September 19th, John Paul Fauves, Sara Pope and Dimitri Likissas took āThe Stageā by storm for IMās newest exhibition āRomeo, Romeo! Drop me a Pinā. Never before exhibiting together, these artists were commissioned to create works inspired by our new gallery space on Fairchild Place. In this place, over 400 years ago, stood the Curtain Theatre where William Shakespeareās āRomeo & Julietā and āHamletā (and where he was a neighbor, Shakespeare lived close).
The Curtain theater was built in 1577, during the Elizabethan era, and named because of its proximity to a plot of land called āCurtain Closeā. A common misconception is that it was named the āCurtain Theaterā to relate to the curtains used in modern theater. However, āCurtain Closeā and ultimately the āCurtain Theaterā got its name because of its closeness to the City Walls of London. When the remains of the theater were discovered in 2012, archaeologists also discovered evidence of a tunnel within the theater grounds and multiple artefacts such as ceramic boxes (used for collecting admission fees), a ceramic bird whistle, a small statue of Bacchus and beads that were likely used for decoration of costumes.
Surrounded by this rich history, Imitate Modern and the Tax Collection (New York City) curated a show to celebrate not only the creative and cultural legacy of Shoreditch, but that of Englandās National Poet, William Shakespeare. To do this, IM and Tax invited artists John Paul Fauves, Sara Pope, and Dimitri Likissas to create a contemporary narrative inspired by āRomeo & Julietā and āHamletā.
Dimitri Likissas in his pointillist style created new age portraits of Shakespeare, Romeo, Juliet and icons of their doomed love. With her bold and realistic lip painting and neons, Sara Popeās lip portraits tell the story of passion and all its potential. Fracturing the portraits of icons past and present, John Paul Fauves newly created monumental canvases telling the story of Shakespeareās life and the influence of his words.
Sponsored by Galliard Homes, whose preliminary digs uncovered the forgotten theatre, this exhibition introduced the new showrooms within the Galliard Marketing Suite designed by interior designer Nicola Fontanella; Fontanellaās portfolio includes designing the homes of Naomi Campbell and Madonna.
Featured in Town & Country , āRomeo, Romeo! Drop me a Pinā will be on view until 19 of October.
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