POV's Documentary Blog

Patti Smith: A Perfect Storm

The Patti Smith celebrations continue!

Last week was the POV broadcast of Steven Sebring‘s Patti Smith: Dream of Life, as well as her New Year’s concerts in New York City. Last night saw the opening of “Objects of Life” at the Robert Miller Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea Art District, on West 26th Street. The show features the work of Patti Smith and Steven Sebring, who, in addition to being a filmmaker, is an acclaimed fashion photographer. As the exhibition’s title suggests, on display were objects from Dream of Life, including photography, works on paper, installations and selected objects. There’s also a small room dedicated to photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and his relationship with Patti Smith. The style and themes in the exhibit also closely follow the film, sharing the same organic playfulness and intimacy.

The opening was crowded and festive. As with all openings, there was as much interest in the attendees as there was in the art. Other filmmakers were there, including Albert Maysles. Patti Smith’s friend, playwright Sam Shepard, was also in attendance.


There was also a lot of press, too, of course, and everyone there seemed to have either a camera or digital audio recorder. Perhaps the only person without a camera was Sebring himself. I had a camera too, and amid the flash and din, asked him to talk about how the exhibit came together. You can view the short clip here to hear his response.

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“Objects of Life” is at the Robert Miller Gallery until February 6. It’s worth a trip if you’re a Patti Smith or Sebring fan, or if your interest was piqued by the film.
Have you already been to the exhibit? Share your review below!

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