On Exhibit at the Garde

Double Exposure

a collaborative exhibition by
Photographer Michael Friedman and
Visual Abstract Artist David J. Marchi

On display from January 17, 2025 through March 31, 2025

Lobby exhibit available for viewing Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm,
and for the two hours preceding performances and film screenings.

This unique exhibition merges Friedman’s iconic photographs of legendary artists including Janis Joplin, The Band, Kris Kristofferson, and the Rolling Stones with Marchi’s bold abstract paintings, creating entirely new and innovative works of art. Michael and David unveiled their first collaborative creation, Janis on opening night.

The project builds on Friedman’s Lost Negatives Project, launched in 2018 with his wife Donna Vita after she discovered a treasure trove of previously unseen negatives from his photography work between 1968 and 1973.

In addition to their joint pieces, the exhibition will feature selections from each artist’s individual portfolios, showcasing the breadth of their creative talents.

Michael Friedman

Michael Friedman began his music career managing bands in college, later becoming a publicist for The Bee Gees, The Mamas and Papas, The Turtles, The Hollies, and Glen Campbell. He managed and produced Todd Rundgren’s first band NAZZ, before joining Albert Grossman in 1968, working with Bob Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin, and others, while documenting his experiences with a Pentax camera. Friedman produced early albums for Grossman’s Bearswille Records and later managed Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. At Arista Records in 1979, he created the video department, producing groundbreaking music videos, before founding Empire Records.

In 2018, Friedman’s wife, Donna Vita, discovered photo negatives of artists he worked with (1968 – 1973). This led to The Lost Negatives Project, featuring exhibits at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where the photos are archived. Their book, EXPOSED: The Lost Negatives and Untold Stories of Michael Friedman, was published in 2023.

David Marchi

David is a visual abstract artist with an extraordinary origin story. His journey into painting began in an unexpected and transformative way, redefining his life and creative expression.

David’s art is guided by three core principles: color, texture, and pattern. He delves into the contrasts within these elements, creating works that shift between smooth and streaked, squared and rounded, or shimmering crimson and deep blue. Each piece becomes a vibrant interplay of opposites, harmonized on the canvas to evoke a sense of unity and depth.

The foundation of David’s creative process lies in the subconscious. His inspiration often comes from vivid dreams, where he envisions the colors and structures of his future works. These dreamscapes serve as blueprints imprinted in his mind, guiding his hands when he begins to paint.

Renowned New York Magazine art critic Jerry Saltz praised David’s work Aqua Vita, noting, “David has no fear of scale. In this particular work, his Cézanne-like style showcases great materiality and an expressive sense of flow.”

Remarkably, David had never painted before a life-altering boat accident in 2015. During his recovery, he discovered a previously untapped artistic talent, a phenomenon later diagnosed as Acquired Savant Syndrome. With only 50 documented cases worldwide, this rare condition propelled him into the world of art.

David uses his artistic success to give back, donating to causes such as Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, The Human Rights Campaign, The Garde Art Center, and Positive Exposure.
His work has found a global audience and is part of collections across the world. He is a member of esteemed institutions like MOMA, The Whitney, The Guggenheim, The Art Students League of New York, and The Silvermine Gallery.

David’s journey and art continue to inspire, proving the transformative power of creativity.