Frida Freda

We were invited along to the Melbourne Launch of FridaFreda at Bluestone Church Gallery in Footscray. This is the second time we have been to Bluestone, the first was for the Melbourne version launch of the Sydney famous ArtParty. It’s a strange little space, obviously an old church and therefore gives limited and constructive use of the space as a functional gallery. As a multi-purpose space and performance space it works better than acting as an exhibiting space. The FridaFreda launch was great - a wonderful turn-out - fairy lights and flowers littered the space, making a dark and neon dream-space. They served the best sangria we have ever tasted in our lives (seriously - that was delicious!) and everyone was smiling and having a great time. A little more thought could have gone to the projections of the photographs themselves, and we are aware it is a difficult space to exhibit in, but it jest felt a bit hap-hazard and secondary to the nature of the launch. ​“Inspired by revolutionaries Frida Kahlo and Freda McDonald (more commonly known as Josephine Baker) FridaFreda is a traveling online photography and fashion project that features contemporary and imagined superheroes. Part photography, part fashion, part interview and part performance, it is an archive of diverse voices, narratives and styles that document the powers of the women and girls from various cities around the world.” - taken from the website. Women and girls were invited to answer twelve questions about their dream superpowers, their relationship to revolutionaries Frida and Freda, and ways that they have, or would like to, enact change in Melbourne and around the world. From there, Kat, Tamara, and the subject spend three hours in the subjects homes to create the super hero image based on their personal wardrobes. These portraits are the digital installation on FridaFreda.com. FridaFreda was launched in Melbourne with its first series at the Bluestone Church Gallery.Sponsored by the Maribyrnong Council’s International Women’s Day Initiative, the launch featured an installation of portraits created over a span of 13 months for the first time to the public.