New Scott Hicks Photography Exhibit Takes Over ILA
The immersive exhibit ICONS: Behind the Velvet Rope showcases Hicks’ early photography and includes images of David Bowie, Bob Dylan and more.
Image Scott Hicks
Iconic filmmaker Scott Hicks celebrates his remarkable photography career with new exhibit, ICONS: Behind the Velvet Rope.
Presented in partnership with Hill Smith Art Advisory, ICONS: Behind the Velvet Rope is held at ILA for a strictly limited time from Friday 16 January to Tuesday 7 February.
The immersive exhibit features a collection of unforgettable black and white photos of some of the world’s biggest music stars shot by Hicks, including legends such as David Bowie, Bob Dylan, DEVO and The Rolling Stones.
Along with traditional photos and large-scale prints, the exhibit includes a wall-to-wall LED screen that brings the photographs to life through moving visuals, creating a unique, cinematic experience.
“I loved going to rock concerts in the 1970s and ‘80s, elbowing my way to the front of the crowd, sometimes with my son on my shoulders,” said Scott Hicks. “Most were in Adelaide at Apollo Stadium, where the big acts played; others were outdoors like Bowie’s first southern hemisphere appearance at Adelaide Oval and The Stones’ Melbourne show at Kooyong Tennis Courts.”
Behind the Velvet Rope also features iconic images of the B52’s, Bob Marley, Bryan Ferry, David Cassidy, Elvis Costello, Gary Numan, Graham Parker, INXS, Lou Reed, Midnight Oil, The Motels, Rod Stewart, Sting, and Tiny Tim – all “Gigantosaurs’ of the music world”, according to Hicks.
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Image Scott Hicks
“Behind the Velvet Rope perfectly illustrates how ILA’s state-of-the-art immersive technology can creatively elevate the conventional gallery experience,” said CEO of ILA, Becc Bates. “Scott has created a journey from quiet observation to full sensory immersion, a great way to celebrate music history.”
Internationally acclaimed as a film director, Hicks’ interest in visual storytelling was kick-started by his passion for photography, which he believes gave him the tools for becoming a successful filmmaker.
“Using the camera, where I only had 24 or 36 frames to play with, taught me to look for moments of excellence in performance, moments that matter,” said Hicks.
“I knew I’d caught that moment at the Bowie concert. I rushed home after the show, developed the film in my darkroom immediately, desperate to find that frame… and when I did, I thought ‘wow, it’s perfect’ – everything was so beautiful; his intensity, his beautiful costume, the crease in his shirt, those high-waisted pants, the light on his face, the hand at his throat, the elegance of his fingers holding the microphone. It almost feels staged, but you can't make that up. It’s the raw dynamic of live performance.”
ICONS: Behind The Velvet Rope takes place at ILA from Friday 16 January to Tuesday 7 February. Tickets are on sale now at immersivelightandart.com.au.
