Simon Fravega D’Amor

«I am a filmmaker and I have been making film portraits on 16mm film for a long time, in New York City, where I lived for 22 years. Portraits of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and friends, often all coming from an experimental environment, always on the edge of life and art (Genesis P-Orridge, Tony Conrad, Richard Foreman, The Kuchar Brothers, Alan Vega, Luchadoras sisters…). I spend a very long time, sometimes years with each of them to film their process of art making; our intimacy becomes the center of my films. I work alone with my camera, my microphone and a lot of whimsy. Through the years I found that the portraits became an extension of my autodidactic filmmaking. I depict those in my close circle, artists and friends with whom I find pleasure and intimacy in making monotypes. This technique is immediate, filled with element of mistakes, surprises, and are “negatives” of what I see and paint, just like celluloid film. These works are coming from the same place as the emotional relationship I have with the subjects. They are done in 20 minutes from life, the friend in front of me, after a nice tea and conversation. I ask each to bring an object that is part of their life and practice. Here Simon D’Amor, a wonderful performer, always asked to play in films in the most incongruous costumes and roles (mermaid…as a tree..Bernadette Soubirou..superman..a frog..). Simon came with his favorite wig and props from his last performance at the Triennial of Vendome, the mermaid from silent films!»

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