Rochelle Costi, “Escada Descida”, 2010
1961, Caxias do Sul, RS - 2022, São Paulo, Brazil
Rochelle Costi's works deals with affective memory – that which normally stirs up the dust in our unconscious, activated by a device: the image. Her research is based on her own image repertoire, to then be formalized through refined photographic technique, videos and installations. Collecting and photography not only complement one another, but are also merged in her work, bringing the spectator to an intimate confrontation with this universe, which becomes shared by everyone.
She holded a BA in social communication from PUC-RS, and a specialist degree from Saint Martin School of Art and Camera Work, in London. Among the venues that she held solo shows include the Estúdio Extraordinário, Itú, Brazil (2023), Oficinas Culturais Oswald de Andrade, São Paulo, Brazil (2021); The Photographer’s Gallery, London, England (2016); the Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM), São Paulo (2010); the Centro Cultural São Paulo (CCSP) (2009); the Museu da Imagem e do Som, São Paulo (2008); and Instituto Tomie Ohtake, São Paulo (2005). She has participated in many significant group shows, held at venues that include the BienalSur, Brazil and Argentina (2023); Casa do Parque, Brazil (2023); Solar dos Abacaxis, Brazil (2023); Museu da Imagem e do Som-MIS, São Paulo, Brazil (2022); Pinacoteca de São Paulo (2023 and 2020), the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp) (2018); Somerset House, London, England (2012); and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain (2000). Group shows she has participated in include most notably the III Beijing Photo Biennial, Beijing, China (2018); the Bienal de la Paiz, Guatemala (2016); the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale, Italy (2008); the 24th and 29th editions of the Bienal de São Paulo (2010 and 1998); the Bienal de Cuenca, Ecuador (2009); the XXVI Bienal de Pontevedra, Spain (2000); the II Bienal do Mercosul, Porto Alegre (1999); the 6th and 7th editions of the Bienal de Havana, Cuba (1997 and 1999); and the II Tokyo Photography Biennial, Japan (1997). Her artworks figure in prominent collections, including those of the Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (USA), Instituto Inhotim, Masp, MAM-SP/RJ, the Pinacoteca de São Paulo, and the Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig (Austria).