ITALY: ACTOR DENNIS HOPPER REVEALS HIS ARTISTIC TALENTS ARE NOT LIMITED TO ACTING BY EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHS OF ITALIAN WALLS

Record ID: 387348

  • Title: ITALY: ACTOR DENNIS HOPPER REVEALS HIS ARTISTIC TALENTS ARE NOT LIMITED TO ACTING BY EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHS OF ITALIAN WALLS
  • Date: 7th December 1997
  • Summary: MILAN, ITALY DECEMBER 7, 1997 (REUTERS) PEOPLE INSIDE ART GALLERY LOOKING AT DENNIS HOPPER'S PHOTOGRAPHS HOPPER CHATTING TO PEOPLE VIEWERS MINGLING INSIDE GALLERY (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) DENIS HOPPER SAYING, "IT'S A PLEASURE FOR ME. I DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY FROM THIS, IT COSTS ME MONEY TO DO THESE PICTURES BUT I THINK THAT PHOTOGRAPHY IS VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY THE F
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 1997 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MILAN, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Reuters ID: LVAE0LQKW1MQ6L3FK521T9VJEE13
  • Story Text: - American actor Dennis Hopper proved he's a man of many talents when he exhibited his latest art work - photographs of walls - at an art gallery in Milan.

    The actor, who is known to paint, sculpt and take photographs, explained that the 24 photos on show, depicting close-ups of walls, had been taken while on a trip to Italy in 1996.

    Hopper said he chose Italian walls because he found it hard to imagine walls as beautiful anywhere else.

    "I find them really amazing. I live in Los Angeles, and if I take a picture of a wall, it deals with a lot of graffiti - which I can enjoy too - but Italy has the Bettinas, he said.

    Bettina, an Italian painter in Milan in 17th century, is best known for his paintings of flowers and fruits.

    Hoppers fascination with "abstract impressionism" began as a farmboy in Kansas, United States, where he said he spent hours alone gazing into wheat fields.

    In 1961 Hopper held his first solo photographic exhibition and since then has shown his work all around the world, though his art has never been a total success.

    In 1971, "Bomb Drop", a sculpture depicting a bomb-release switch from a World War Two aircraft was said to allude to anti-war activism and Pop banality. It was met with a frosty reception from art critics.

    Following the critics' rebuff, Hopper chose to return to films and went off and made "Easy Rider." Hopper explained that he has continued with his art through the years because he is a compulsive creator. He says it justifies his existence, especially when he's not always successful in finding funds to finance movie projects.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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