New exhibit looks back on the age of rock
Music photographer Larry Marano has been shooting concerts professionally since the 1980s. His portfolio includes the likes of Madonna, U2, Iron Maiden and KISS. But he’s only ever had one show exhibit his work — until now.
Through Aug. 2, Studio 18 in Pembroke Pines will present “ROCKIN’” — a nostalgic art exhibition devoted to rock ‘n’ roll.
It’s the brainchild of the studio’s curator and community engagement coordinator, Michael Edelberg.
“I had an idea about doing an era — a time warp. That became rock n’ roll. It’s so relevant,” Edelberg said. “You get a base idea and It organically shifts into what it’s become.”
“ROCKIN’” will feature works from16 different artists, photographers and contributors, including Marano.
“I started out shooting because I loved going to concerts as a kid. That was my thing. Going to a show with a camera and documenting rock and roll,” Marano said. His turning point was when he saw KISS for the first time in the 1970s at Madison Square Garden. “I was just blown away because of the visual aspect. You like the music, but the visual changes it.”
Marano will be exhibiting a range of work dating back to the beginning of his career. The oldest shot will be a Kodachrome-slide of Iron Maiden from1981. There will also be a 1989 portrait Marano took of late rock legend Chris Cornell. He added it to the show last minute as a tribute.
“He looks like a baby in the picture. It was a fun shoot before Soundgarden blew up,” Marano said. “Theywere just kids having a good time. So many rockstars are gone so quickly. They don’t have longevity. That’s why I document this stuff. I love to have images because you don’t know how long they’ll be around.”
Other artists include Reinaldo Lozano, a regular Studio 18 artist, who’s doing a 3D mixed media version of a guitar and Pamela Palma, a fiber artist and weaver, who is doing a take on John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance.”
Besides artists and photographers, contributors to ROCKIN’ include South Florida based celebrities like Gloria Estefan and Barry Gibb. Estefan loaned four pieces to the exhibit and Barry Gibb loaned a negative of a photo of the Bee Gees at the group’s soundcheck for a 1979 performance at Dodger Stadium.
Other rock stars on display will include KISS, Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, U2 and more.
“It’s going to be a fun show of nostalgia,” Edelberg said. “Recapturing amoment when music was the soundtrack of your life through art.”
“ROCKIN’” runs through Aug. 2 at Studio 18, 1101Poinciana Drive in Pembroke Pines. Opening reception is on June 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. Studio 18 is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.