Patti Smith – Objects of Life

Last year around this time I was sitting in a movie theatre watching 11 years worth of Patti Smith edited down to an hour and a half on film. It was a documentary called Dream of Life, directed by first-time filmmaker Steven Sebring. The movie focused on the here and now, Patti’s life as a rock legend as she’s living it today. Throughout the film I had this familiar feeling. It was the same one I get when I’m driving into the city from the highway looking at all the buildings, condos, thousands of lives, people making decisions that effect the world around us. Then I arrive home, I step out of the car, my bike chained to the fence, I put my key in the door. I’m still feeling small but totally in the moment, all I have is what’s in front of me, my thoughts and the ability to put them to use. In the film we see Patti sitting in a house making music, spending time with family, wearing a comfortable t-shirt, just like the rest of us. It’s inspiring in the same big to small way.

From January 6th to February 6th, 2010 Objects of Life will be exhibited at The Robert Miller Gallery in New York. The show is an instillation of objects inspired by the 11 year creative process of Dream of Life, as well as photographs, film and the rare unseen painting of Patti Smith.

Check out the Dream of Life website here for more information.

Below is the theatrical trailer.