Dean & Britta - 13 Most Beautiful… Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests (USA)

Husband and wife team Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, formerly of cult indie band Luna and currently recording and performing as Dean & Britta, have composed new music for Andy Warhol’s 13 most famous Screen Tests, which they accompany live with their band. Warhol’s subjects were filmed with a stationary 16mm Bolex camera on silent, black and white film. The film reels were played back in slow motion, resulting in a fascinating collection of four-minute masterpieces that intrigue, surprise and mesmerise.

Dean & Britta’s wistful, 60s flavoured songs provide an ideal lyrical and musical complement to each of the subjects. They illuminate and give life to these iconic portraits, creating the perfect live soundtrack for Warhol’s technically simple yet transfixing films.

13 Most Beautiful premiered at the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts in 2008, followed by dates in Push Vancouver (Jan 09), Art museum ,Seattle (Feb 09), Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (Feb 09), Museum of Contemporary Arts, Chicago (March 09) and Mass MoCA (North Adams). This will be its Australian premiere.

Presented by Melbourne International Arts Festival by arrangement with Arts Projects Australia. 13 Most Beautiful…Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests, is a project jointly commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts 2008.