Jordan Roth Brings Irene di Spilimbergo’s Paintings into Living Collages at Performance Space NY

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Summary

  • Jordan Roth debuted a site-specific performance at the Venice Biennale with Performance Space New York
  • Inspired by Irene di Spilimbergo, Roth fused painting, performance and photography into living collages
  • Real-time images documented the transformation, extending Roth’s Narrative Fashion Performance practice

Artist Jordan Roth recently presented a new performance piece at the Venice Biennale, hosted by Performance Space New York and held at the Palazzo dei Fiori. The work, created specifically for the location, blended performance art, photography, and painting, essentially bringing the idea of collage to life through movement. Roth’s performance examined how we create our identities and undergo change, with him acting as both the person being observed and the one doing the observing. The event was particularly noteworthy, as it was attended and supported by prominent cultural figures like Princess Alia Al-Senussi, Princess Marie Luise von Sachsen, and Diana Campbell.

The performance was inspired by Irene di Spilimbergo, a Renaissance artist and musician who once lived in the building. She died young, at just 21 years old, and a book of poetry celebrated her beauty and talent, turning her into a long-lasting source of inspiration for artists. Roth began the performance by using existing paintings of di Spilimbergo, which were printed onto vinyl.

Using intentional movements – like cutting, breaking apart, and putting back together images – he quickly made collages that blurred the lines between the artist and their inspiration. By covering himself with pieces of the paintings, Roth became one with the artwork, representing di Spilimbergo while also reimagining her as a symbol of modern identity.

During the performance, a camera filmed Roth inside a golden frame, instantly creating photos that were shown on nearby screens. These weren’t just recordings of the event; they became art pieces in their own right, creating a lasting record of the changes happening during the performance and extending its impact beyond the live moment.

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2026-05-11 13:26