Photographer Tess Petronio first learned about acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Anne Imhoff during her time in art school. Tess reached out to Anne for an internship, longing to be a part of Anne’s sphere and to learn more about her creative process. Anne’s team responded, inviting Tess to New York City to intern during Anne’s largest performance to date, DOOM: House of Hope—a three-hour performance loosely based on Romeo and Juliet with a cast of around 50 artists and dancers.

Tess traveled to New York City in February, about a month prior to the opening to observe and help as needed during rehearsals and the performance and later asked to perform in the show where she captured live footage on the jumbotron. Anne suggested that Tess should document the cast as part of character research resulting in the images seen in this book. Serving as snapshots or film stills of life beyond the Park Avenue Armory—where the performance took place—the photographs document candid moments of the cast in various settings, from their apartments to the dance studio to the local diner and bars where they’d gather after shows. The photographs also beautifully reflect the enduring friendships that developed throughout the duration of the performance.
The book is bound similarly to a screenplay between pale green covers with 3 Chicago screws, the cover art are sketches by tattoo artist Dean Violante and the xeroxed credits are reproduced from the original DOOM booklet.

Introduction from cast member Jakob Eilinghoff