Grooving with Alvin Collantes is part of the series “IRL Stories”, a personal project by Berlin-based photographer Rita Couto, focused on how performing artists are adapting to these times of radical change. Started in the 2020’s pandemic, it is an intimate look into the life and work of artists who are using alternative means to (re)build a connection to their audience and community. Each story is photographed on medium format film and written first-hand by Rita with a participatory approach to storytelling.
Magic Island On Tour In Hell
My most recent collaboration just got featured in KALTBLUT magazine and it’s an honor.
This summer, I joined the talented experimental pop artist Magic Island on her tour through Greece, to capture a first time ever behind-the-scenes of her journey with my 35mm camera. For a while, I had the chance to experience what it feels like to be on tour and the emotional extremes that come with it – from being alone to surrounded by a crowd while in transit.
The outcome is an intimate photo diary that portrays a glimpse of Magic Island a.k.a Emma Czerny’s life, alongside a written review in first hand of my experience during this time, especially it being my first time visiting Greece in the hottest month of the year…
Have a look at the full story featured here >>> Magic Island on Tour in Hell
For an actual insight of this story’s journey in a timeline, check my Instagram highlights
Credits
Written and photographed by Rita Couto in collaboration with Magic Island and Johnny Labelle
Edited by Dee Cunning
Stream Switch at Hamburger Bahnhof
I’ve teamed up with Berlin-based artists Thea Reifler and Philipp Bergmann to promote their upcoming performance piece Stream Switch, premiering today the 3rd of January 2019 at Hamburger Bahnhof. The piece is part of the initiative VOLKSWAGEN ART 4 ALL , a performance series showcasing the work of multiple artists, taking place every first Thursday of the month from 16h to 20h.
During Stream Switch the performers move between the spaces, objects and visitors of the museum. Obeying imaginary physical laws, they work with their bodies against the gravitational pull of actual and fictional worlds – or allow themselves to fall. How do bodies communicate with their surroundings? With empathy? Violence? Tenderness? Consideration? How do they behave in the gravitational field of the museum? And which experiences do they take with them when they leave this space?
Philipp Bergmann and Thea Reifler work in the field of visual anthropology, visual arts and performance. In their works they use performance as a tool to create encounters in both hermetic situations and readymade settings. They have collaborated with and have shown their work at 3hd Festival Berlin, Museum Giersch, Museum of Modern Art Frankfurt, Transmediale Berlin, Museum of Natural History Bern, Sophiensaele Berlin, Oper Darmstadt and others.
Find the official event page here.
