FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Rocco Never Dies" by Federico Solmi

Feb 25 - Mar 20, 2005

Contact: Scott Laugenour

scott@galleryboreas.com

New York, NY, February 7, 2005

A sensational and satirical examination of heroism, celebrity-worship, and mortal demise, Federico Solmi presents "Rocco Never Dies," a four-minute large-scale drawing animation with related paintings and drawings at Gallery Boreas in Williamsburg. This is the artist's first solo show in New York.

The animation presents a fanciful story, depicting the sudden death of a super celebrity porn star at a moment of career climax. The artist is a fan of the real life Rocco Sifreddi, who has played good-secret-agent characters in feature-length pornographic films with saving-the-world plots. From that inspiration, Mr. Solmi has placed himself and his wife, Jennifer Bouck in starring animated roles.

Cranking out his latest hit while strapped to a fucking machine, the larger than life Rocco suffers a heart attack. The ambulance rushes him to the hospital through the streets of New York. Attempts at the hospital to revive him are in vain. Rocco's pop status accords him a state funeral, his flag-draped coffin horse-drawn to the cathedral steps, solemnly observed by tearful throngs.

The urban setting of the fictitious Rocco Never Dies, a crumbling world ever attempting regeneration, is consistent with earlier installation and canvas works of this Brooklyn-based, Italian-born artist. Solmi levels criticism at the unquestioning approval, veneration, and trust of the "fragile foundations" on which contemporary culture is based.

Concurrent with the exhibit at Gallery Boreas, several of the ten editions of "Rocco Never Dies" and other canvas works are being presented at Fabioparis Art Gallery in Brescia, Italy. Gallery Boreas will also present the animation at the DIVA Art Fair in New York, March 11-13.

Collaborating with Mr. Solmi in the 3D digital design and audio production of the animation was Russell Lowe, Professor of Digital Design at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.

About Gallery Boreas

Gallery Boreas is committed to providing emerging artists with representation and exhibition opportunities in Brooklyn, Iceland, and Western Massachusetts.  The gallery hosts residency programs in Lenox, Massachusetts and Reykjavik, Iceland.