.. the photography of Melissa Auf der Maur “My 90’s Rock Photographs”, an exhibit at the AGO
Very briefly – Melissa Auf der Maur was born in Montreal and went to Concordia University. After university she played bass guitar, joining some friends in a band called Tinker before becoming a part of the rock band (or alternative rock band) Hole in 1994. Throughout her music career she took pictures of the people and events happening around her. Most of the photos in this exhibit were analogue (i.e. film).
below: “Self Portrait”, 1992
Auf der Maur played bass guitar for Hole (with Courtney Love) until 1999; she played with the group Smashing Pumpkins during their tour in 2000. She also had a solo album that was released in in 2004.
below: Courtney Love onstage during a moment in the Beautiful Monsters Tour where the audience is holding up cigarette lighters. This North American tour started in early 1999 and featured Hole and Marilyn Manson (the group). The tour only lasted 9 shows before Hole backed out because of fighting between Love and Manson (the lead singer). The tour continued without Hole.
below: Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson, Japan 1995
below: This photo of Courtney Love was taken on the set while filming the music video “Celebrity Skin” for the album of the same name, in 1998. If you are really curious, you can find the video on YouTube.
below: Courtney Love, 1995
below: Onstage with the Smashing Pumpkins on their Farewell Tour in Europe, 2000
below: Sitting on the tarmac
below: Sitting on the bed and looking at reflections in an old Zenith television, 1998.
below: In a House of Mirrors (USA), 1995
below: A selfie that was taken at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. You can see a cut-out of Presley that someone has put at the head of his grave in the Meditation Garden behind the house (where Presley is buried along with his parents, his daughter Lisa Marie, and a couple of other family members).
below: Was there ever a mirror that she didn’t like?!
below: In the center of one of the rooms of the exhibit, there is a large structure made of mirrors and red LED strip lights.
below: … and since no photographer can’t resist a mirror…. I take my leave with a silly picture. Have fun everyone!
below: The AGO show continues until 6 June 2027
