Brian Mengini
November 4 – December 31, 2016
Box Office Hours: Tuesday – Saturday | 12pm – 6pm
InLiquid presents Il Tragitto (The Path), a solo show featuring the photographic work of artist member Brian Mengini at the Painted Bride Art Center Café Gallery. Il Tragitto (The Path) is a photographic exploration into the artist’s Italian roots. His great grandfather, Antonio Mancini, left his native country in 1908 at the age of 17 to start a new life in America. Leaving without any word to his family, it wouldn’t be until over a decade later, when his cousin Carmine came to America, that Antonio’s parents would learn of his whereabouts. Over the last 40 years, there was no communication between the family in Italy and the family (now going by Mengini) living in America. This changed in 2014 when Brian Mengini was able to locate and establish communication with almost a dozen of his great grandfather’s cousins in Italy.
Two years later, although no longer in direct contact with these family members, the artist was able to make the trip to explore the birthplace of Antonio. The day before leaving, through complete strangers at a bar (an Irish one at that!), Brian met the grandson of Carmine, Antonio’s cousin. Almost a century after Antonio left Guglionesi, severing ties to his family, the artist returned there and reunited his family. This special series of photographs chronicles this trip to Italy.
About the Artist:
Brian Mengini is a Philadelphia based photographer. His work has appeared in Dance, Pointe and Dance Spirit Magazine. His images have also been in the New York Times, Boston Globe and Philadelphia Inquirer. Brian’s client list includes Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project, The Boston Conservatory and Temple University. He has also had the opportunity to work with The Royal Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Ballet Next and more. Other publication credits include When Men Dance: Choreographing Masculinities Across Bordersby Oxford Hill Press, American Dance: The Complete Illustrated History (Voyager Press), Dance Studio Life, Dance Teacher, Dancing Times (Great Britain), Auditorium Magazine (South Korea), Town & Country Magazine (Philippines), Connecticut Magazine, Backstage Magazine, Opera America, Broadway World, and Broadway.com. Commercial clients include Tutu.com, Dresses by Lara, Fusco Knitwear, Snatched Dancewear, and A. Jolan Ballet. His work has been selected to be part of various exhibits including the Pennsylvania State Capitol and Philadelphia City Hall.
Outside of his dance work, Brian has written articles and has had images published in various periodicals and billboards in the special needs community. Brian’s oldest son, Dominic, is on the Autism Spectrum, so he is passionate about not only being active in his son’s life but the special needs community at large.
Image: Brian Mengini, 2016, photographic print on archival paper.
