Gregorio Luke Returns to the Ford Amphitheatre with FRIDA, A NEW LOOK June 11 and 12

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Mexico's Bicentennial, the Ford Amphitheatre brings you this summer Frida, A New Look by Gregorio Luke Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 at 8 p.m.

Luke's presentation explores every aspect of Frida's life, from the way she dressed and decorated her surroundings to the way these objects re-appear in her paintings and become part of her artistic language.   Recently discovered color photographs and film clips will be interspersed throughout the presentation to provide a unique vision of a living Frida Kahlo.

The presentation will begin with a dance tribute to Frida Kahlo in which soloists of Mexico's leading contemporary ballet company, TALLER COREOGRAFICO DE LA UNAM, accompanied by students of the new CENTRAL LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL #9, will perform dances by Gloria Contreras that reflect Frida's character.

Frida's paintings will be explored using dramatic close-ups that reveal unexpected aspects of Kahlo's oeuvre. "Few critics have noticed," says Luke, "that Kahlo wanted to be a doctor and took classes of anatomy and biology. In her paintings every detail is magnified as if it were seen through a microscope or an x-ray.  The anatomical perfection with which she paints hearts and other organs is surprising." The presentation will also explore Frida's letters and diary.

"I'm interested in the connections between Frida's private life and her art," says Luke. "Some scholars ignore Frida's personal life and focus only on her paintings, but I find it impossible to separate the two.  Everything Frida did was inspired by the same impulse."

Frida, A New Look will also provide an opportunity to learn about Frida from the few surviving people who knew her intimately.  Master artists: Rina Lazo and Arturo Garcia Bustos studied with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.  

Tickets are priced at $30 for adults and $12 for students with ID and children 12 and under. They are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323-461-3673 (for non-visual media 323-Go 1-FORD).

SOURCE Gregorio Luke