Melanie Rochelle is making all of us proud in Italy as an amazing model; and now she has shown her skills with her new book – “MUSE” - a photographic journey featuring her, compiled with renowned photographer Mauro Tripiciano as the author.

In Sri Lanka, the book is set to be launched on 14 September at the J.D.A Perera Gallery, 46, Horton Place, Colombo 7, following which there will be an exhibition at the same venue on 14 and 15 September from 9am to 7pm.

 

Q : We wish you all the best with your new book. I noticed it’s all in black and white..? 

In this book, most of the images are in black and white, but some needed to be in colour. It was the intention of the author, Mauro Tripiciano, to reduce elements that could distract from the essentiality or the structure of the images.

If you look at the colour photos, you’ll notice some kind of distraction which essentially means that “here the colour is needed to underline a gesture, in an inspirational sense”. There are two images linked with the Holi Feast, and here a strong hue is commanded.

You’ll find some Polaroid, a fantastic material which allows you, in its relatively unpredictable result, a lot of artistic possibilities.

 

Q : Tell us about your journey toward becoming a model.

 

I already knew the artistic heritage layered in my stock, but as any good teenager, I tried to react against it, and I made my choice of more rational studies. But, in reality, you will always have to do what you are born to do, be true to your roots and your inner dreams. My family was so into music, theatre, cinema and dance but how was I to look for my inside path?

During my study course, I was asked to perform as a fashion model, and I started to realise I had something to express, coming maybe from my dance lessons, and I started to observe, whatever was happening around me.  Now I know that at that moment, I started to feel even more insecure, but I was starting to discover the first bits of my inner world.

 

  

At first I was fascinated, and it was so easy living in Italy, in the fashion world, and I became, and still am, a fashion model, but little by little I started to look at photography as a true form of art.

I started to follow the story and art of some masters of photography, but that was a personal pleasure not completely connected with my work.

 

Q : Tell us the story behind the creation of your book. And why the title MUSE?

 

It was about one year ago that I got to know a photographer, Mauro Tripiciano, who was not absolutely interested in photography’s commercial aspects, but was deeply rooted in the modern and contemporary art history, and the true knowledge of the works and influences of the masters of photography.

 

 

We started to talk and, after a few hours, he asked me to be a part of a modern concept focusing on how an actual girl would pass through different references of the arts.

It was not so easy at the beginning, maybe I had to overcome my resistances, it was truly difficult to look at the inner me. He explained to me the myth of the muses in the ancient Greek culture, and I started to realise I could be “one that can move emotions” - the meaning of the term “Muse”.

 

  

 

Q :  Elaborate on ‘photography to explore the inner you’.

 

From that point onwards, maybe not so different from a psychoanalytic set, I started to discover through a performing art, my deep inside, and I was enthusiast in any photo sessions.

As a muse I could move imagination. My knowledge of myself, my self-confidence greatly improved, and I realised that any common girl like me could discover the feeling of floating on emotions, looking back at a safe traditional culture, and looking forward to what we are going to be.

Never think “It’s all over” but through the arts try to change yourself and your opinions day by day.

 

 

 

Interview by Jayantha Fernando

Pics courtesy : Mauro Tripiciano