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I first met the photographer Rita Antonioli after appearing with my band at the Teatro Municipale in Ferrara.
It was a rigorous performance and I was quite exhausted, spent, yet full of agitated adrenalin, and did not wish to be photographed.

I was told a photographer requested only five minutes of my time and was waiting on the stage for an answer.
My crew was breaking down the equipment. There were guitars and drum parts and wires strewn everywhere.
The men were shouting to one another and the sound and lighting boards were being disassembled.

I threw on my sweaty jacket and went back on stage to tell her it was impossible. But seeing her standing there, so humble, with her large format camera in the center of this whirlwind, softened me.

"Alright," I said "you can take two pictures."
In the end, she took four. We hardly spoke, but I had immediate respect for her method, her speed, her deep concentration and her beautiful camera.

One of these four photographs, taken under such challenging circumstances, was chosen to represent the 2005 London Meltdown. It has been subsequently
published world wide.

Rita Antonioli distilled the best of what she had to work with and took a strong and memorable shot.

I was present during her many shoots at the Meltdown in London. Many of the portraits here were taken, once again, within the most challenging conditions, in
a makeshift studio in a corner of the Royal Festival Hall.

In this noisy, clanging, volatile atmosphere, where the sitter had multiple responsibilities, Rita had a mere matter of minutes to frame and shoot her subject. The results are stark, classic images of very complex people.

Each capturing something unique about the subject.

I look forward to Rita’s future work.
I have to marvel at what she may accomplish with her wonderful camera, but the sea, or in the mountains, where nature is indeed restless, but likely to give her all the time in the world.
I gave her five minutes.
What she accomplished in those five minutes will most certainly endure.

patti smith