SARAH BAKER: IMPIRIOSO & ROCOCO ROSSO CASA

1 FEBRUARY – 14 APRIL 2013

University of Hertfordshire Galleries

UH Galleries at the Museum of St Albans

Gallery Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 2.00 pm - 5.00pm

Evening Reception: Thursday 31 January, 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Sarah Baker’s Impirioso and Rococo Rosso Casa explores luxury, idolatry, scandal, and the constructs of dramatic television.

Hertfordshire, UK – The University of Hertfordshire Galleries presents a new solo exhibition and film screening by London artist Sarah Baker: Impirioso and Rococo Rosso Casa.

The highlight of the exhibition will be the premier screening of Impirioso. Written and directed by Baker, the hour-long TV episodewas producedin conjunction with the staff and students of University of Hertfordshire’s Department of Film and Television.

Commissioned by the University of Hertfordshire Galleries, Impiriosorepresents a significant development and finessing of the London artist’s film work. Sumptuously shot at locations including Hatfield House and the LutonHoo Hotel, Impiriosobrings cinematic production values to Baker’s fascination with the dramatized televisual constructs of avarice, idolatry and murder.

The artist’s most ambitious and socially engaged project to date,Impirioso is inspired by a real woman currently in prison for killing her husband. Baker’s fictionalization follows the sordid life of LucciaRosso, a luxury-obsessed social climber who marriedthe heir of fashion empire ImpirioRosso.Impiriosoisa scandalous whodunit weaving a complex story through malicious infidelity, idol worship, multi-national corporate transgressions, and conspiracy. The story is packed with outrageous sub-plots includingan incestuous love triangle, a twin-sister switcheroo, and a secret illegitimate child of Luccia, who has been hired as the Rosso chauffeur.

Brought to life by actress Olivia d’Abo (Conan the Destroyer, The Wonder Years), Luccia is a woman driven mad by her obsessionwith ImpirioRosso; her surroundings become increasingly emblazonedwith the ImpirioRosso monogram, which we learn in the film, is a gateway to a malevolent curse. Designed by Baker, the monogram comprisestwo symbols;a double-R logo and a folding hand fan- the veryfashion accessorythat, in Baker’s narrative, brought the ImpirioRossofashion house to fame four generations ago.

The new film will be presented in UH Galleries’ exhibition space at the Museum of St Albans and is accompanied by an installation of theImpirioRossohome lifestyle line: Rococo Rocco Casa. The exhibition continues into an adjoining space that features a survey of Baker’s past work, props, costumes, and ephemera from the period 2002 - 2012.

The artist and UH Galleries wish to thank Hatfield House, LutonHoo Hotel, The Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel, Departure Lounge Contemporary Art (Luton), Jill & Don Shaul, Contemporary Wardrobe, LG éventails, Jessica Broas Millinery, IBC Digital, For Weddings Fun or a Funeral (Rolls Royce Hire) and Arts Council England, without whose generous assistance Impirioso would not have been possible.

Events

Sarah Baker will give gallery talks at the museum of St Albans on Saturdays February 3 and April 6 at 2.30pm. All Welcome admission free (no booking required)

For further information please contact UH Galleries on +44 (0) 1707 284290 or

University of Hertfordshire Galleries
UH Galleries, at Hatfield and St Albans, are amongst the most innovative contemporary art spaces in the UK. Working exclusively with emerging and established professional artists across all media. UH Galleries organise a rolling programme of exhibitions and collaborate with other major cultural institutions across Europe. UH Galleries’ exhibitions, offer artists space to experiment and develop new ideas, and have been critically acclaimed in the national, international and specialist press.