Annarella, CCCP’s Meritorious Soubrette: The mark of an era at Fotografia Europea

As part of Fotografia Europea‘s official program, the “Annarella Benemerita Soubrette CCCP Fedeli alla Linea“ exhibition at Spazio Gerra – Fotografia e Immagine Contemporanea tries to bring back an era, that of the 1980s Italian punk scene, and put it into perspective.
Is that experience still able to communicate to us? Or have its politically charged provocations become outdated instead?

Of course the answer to these questions, in the view of Spazio Gerra as well as the show’s curators – Annarella Giudici herself and Rossana Tagliati – is that bringing back the days of CCCP, Italy’s most famous and avant-garde punk band from early 1980s, is worth the effort. And a huge number of fans – from different generations – is there to testify that the iconic band has made it into the annals of music history.

‘Annarella Benemerita Soubrette CCCP Fedeli alla Linea’ at Spazio Gerra, Fotografia Europea festival

The exhibition portrays the role of Annarella as “special” member of the band CCCP, and especially her importance in setting the vibe of an era. These photographs show the creation of a precise aesthetic taste – the band’s look – that will become CCCP’s style as well as that of the musical and cultural environment that surrounded them.

The exhibition is divided into different themes: Emilia, Europa, Islam, Asia, Sentimenti. Black and white as well as color photographs document live concerts, events, TV show appearances, and photo shoots, that vouch for the artistic work of Annarella, whose provocative performances made her CCCP’s official “Soubrette.”

Photo Giovanni Lindo Ferretti

Photo Vittorio Catti

The exhibition features photographers of the caliber of Luigi Ghirri – who shot one of CCCP’s album covers, and many previously unreleased images portraying the “feminine soul” of the band.

More photographs by CCCP’s frontman Giovanni Lindo Ferretti date back to 1982-1983, the band’s early years, when they were defining the look that was destined to set a trend for the whole decade.

But the list of photographers goes on, including Federico Brandani, Vittorio Catti, Toni Contiero, Diego Cuoghi, Gianni Ingrosso, Roberto Rocchi, Roberto Serra, Rossana Tagliati, Benedetto Valdesalici, Claudio Oleari.

Photo Luigi Ghirri

The show was inspired by the book “Annarella Benemerita Soubrette CCCP Fedeli alla Linea” by Annarella Giudici, Giovanni Lindo Ferretti and Rossana Tagliati, with writings by Marco Belpoliti and Benedetto Valdesalici, published by Quodlibet in 2014, at the same time as the exhibition.
The book’s aim is to offer a look into previously unseen sides of the band’s life and art – as well as at their pro-Soviet, punk aesthetics, influenced by their Emilia-Romagna region background.

‘Annarella Benemerita Soubrette CCCP Fedeli alla Linea’ book cover (Quodlibet 2014)

Photo Toni Contiero

Aside these photographs, the exhibition also features a number of stage costumes. These creative dresses were created by Annarella and contributed to her attention-drawing performances – dance pieces, impersonations, and so on.

–Matilde Soligno

“Annarella changing her clothes and taking on a different personality that fits her dress is worth as much as a good line that someone might deem intelligent, or a guitar riff that somebody might find beautiful or very well-done.”
CCCP Fedeli alla Linea interview – Rai 1 Television – 1989

“Annarella Benemerita Soubrette CCCP Fedeli alla Linea,” curated by Annarella Giudici and Rossana Tagliati, will be open until June 15, 2014 at Spazio Gerra as part of Fotografia Europea photography festival, Reggio Emilia

Photo Rossana Tagliati