Rosa Barba: Desert—Performed

The work of Rosa Barba (b. 1972, Agrigento, Italy) makes unconventional and inventive use of cinematic effects, mediums, and modes of presentation. Her installations and objects engage essential filmic components such as celluloid, projection, light, and sound to present historical narratives and examinations of geographical locations while heightening our awareness of film’s material properties. Light projections and modified projector-sculptures function as physically-present objects in the gallery that also convey information; in other words, film for Barba serves as both subject and object. CAM’s presentation is her first solo exhibition in a museum in the United States and marks the American debut for a series of works focusing on California’s Mojave Desert.

On the occasion of this exhibition, CAM has produced the latest edition in Barba’s ongoing "Printed Cinema" artist’s book series. Published in St. Louis, "Printed Cinema #13: Desert—Performed" brings together for the first time all of the works the artist has made in various deserts across the western United States, through both original photography and still images from her films.