Thu 6/22 @ 6:30-8:30PM
In 1951, shortly after he married, photographer Angelo Merendino’s father purchased a chair that became his special chair for the rest of his life.
“When dad retired to his chair, that was his time,” says Merendino. “It was his time to read the newspaper, to watch a ballgame or a movie, or to take a nap. Whether or not the world and his responsibilities were on his mind, it was his place to unwind and just exist. I can still see the smile on dad’s face when, surrounded by his family, he sat in his chair, looking over his legacy. Dad always seemed at peace when he sat in his chair.”
After his father died, Merendino, the youngest of a brood of 11, inherited the chair, providing a tangible connection to his heritage. Earlier this year, he used that chair to connect with a wide circle of important people in his life, inviting them to come to his studio and sit in that chair in whatever manner they felt comfortable, and he photographed the result. A few “famous” Clevelanders show up such as reggae musician Carlos Jones and artists Derek Hess (pictured); others are just people he knows. They represent all types of people in age, race, gender and size.
Those photos are now on display in the show In Dad’s Chair, at the Foothill Gallery in Cleveland Heights through Sun 8/13. Tonight Merendino and gallery owner Michael Weil will conduct an interactive dialogue about the series and talk about how the idea evolved from conception to execution, with audience Q&A to follow. They’re also inviting the audience to go next door to the Fairmount afterward to socialize.