Barbarella (1968)
Barbarella was my Sci Fi film of choice for The Final Frontier exhibition. Opening this Thursday night November 3 at Gaffa Gallery 281 Clarence St, Sydney CBD. Hope to see you there.
Artist Statement -
‘The space age adventuress whose sex-ploits are among the most bizarre ever seen.’
The year is 40,000. Barbarella, peacefully floating in zero gravity, is interrupted by Earth’s president; scientist Durand Durand (yep, that’s where the band got their name), is threatening the ancient universal peace and Barbarella has been chosen to find him and save the world.
Looking back to sci-fi cinema before the moon had been explored and before contemporary jewellery had been considered, it is remarkable to note the giant leaps technology has made since. What I love about this era is the great measures the designers took to transport us into this fictional reality without the aid of high tech equipment. A contrast to today’s extravagant film oeuvres, which are largely compiled with computer generated imagery. I think they did a pretty good job, considering.
The innocence of this film is admirable; aloof yet eager cosmic babes out to conquer the universe with love, adorned with ray guns and ‘laser’ devices, romping stark grey landscapes; angels, tyrants, queens and professors awkwardly roaming the unknown regions in search of cosmic wonders out to save the world from evil unknown forces.
Seductive, astral smoke and sound effects not quite as convincing as they should be, yet equally transporting, if only you can let go and believe.
My Cosmic Kitsch neckpiece is based, not so much around the plot of Barbarella, but the kitsch-ness of the colourful sets, and the over-the-top adornment of the larger than life characters portrayed in the film in an attempt to conquer the final frontier.
