The Horrors Are Real With Rachael Tarravechia

Lifestyle
Written By Karlye Whitt

This artist wants you to examine your instincts.

Photos courtesy of Rachael Tarravechia

How did you find your art narrative and style?

Through creating and consuming. Over the course of years, I’ve been able to let go of the preconceived ideas of what I thought “good art” was supposed to look like, and create work that was for myself.  


As inspired in your work, what is your favorite moment of suspense before an act of violence happens in a horror movie?

The “will they won’t they” second of doubt that happens right before is fascinating to me. Will they fight, flee, or freeze? Or what method of violence/weapon will they choose? The speed at which these decisions must be made tells a lot about a person’s emotional and psyche.  

“The “will they won’t they” second of doubt that happens right before is fascinating to me. Will they fight, flee, or freeze?”

What lies in the suspense of it all?

Autonomy. Autonomy of action, of free will, of emotion, of empathy, and of agency.


Pink, heart shaped iron maiden, guillotine, or spiked flail? 

If we’re talking about how I’d wanna meet my own demise, I’d go pink, heart shaped iron maiden any day of the week. Weapon of choice? Spiked flail. With bells, so it’d chime everytime I swung <3

“…pink, heart shaped iron maiden any day of the week.”


What is on your must watch horror movie list?

Audition directed by the iconic Takashi Miike! It’s one of the few times where I firmly believe the movie is indeed better than the book. The vignettes we glimpse of Asami’s life and mental state are still some of the most unsettling movie scenes that play in my mind.


What is something you’re exploring in your work right now?

Currently, I’m working on a series that speaks to the dissonance, specifically that women can and often feel, between body and identity. 

Jigaw style you “have to play a game” and win in order to survive but you get to choose which video game. Which video game are you picking?

Resident Evil Requiem! Perfect mix of action and puzzle. Plus, I love Leon–especially when he gets to use a chainsaw. 

Interview: Karlye Whitt

Editor-in-Chief: Karlye Whitt

Karlye Whitt

Whitt is the founder and creative director of Salon Avec Moi. Originally pursuing a career as an opera singer, Whitt gained experience on both sides of the opera table as both artist and staff at Tulsa Opera in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she resided as one of the company’s Resident Artists, Principal Artists, and Development Associates during her 3 year residency. The institutional knowledge obtained during this time inspired the desire to push forward inclusion and equity in the opera industry and be a part of ensuring the future of opera in America, fostering her company Salon Avec Moi - an event experience aimed to create safe and intimate performances through salons to create access to the classical performing arts that are BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friendly.

Whitt has earned her B.M. in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University and M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University.

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