Tag: arte povera

Jannis Kounellis at Cheim & Read

Greek-Italian artist Jannis Kounellis returns to Chelsea’s Cheim and Read Gallery for his first New York solo show since ’06 with work that continues to contrast individuals with larger societal structures.  Here, a train track and steel beams conjure wide transportation networks; unworn clothing and hanging overcoats stand in for the individuals who conceive of them, build, operate and are served by them. (Through June 22nd).  

Jannis Kounellis, installation view at Cheim & Read Gallery, May 2013.

Marisa Merz at Barbara Gladstone Gallery

“When the eyes are shut, the eyes are extraordinarily open,” said iconic Italian Arte Povera artist Marisa Merz in 1974.  Since the 80s, she’s made loosely formed sculptures of heads like this duo, whose gold covered eyes speak to a vision beyond the purely literal.  (At Chelsea’s Barbara Gladstone Gallery through May 18th).  

Marisa Merz, Untitled, two painted unfired heads and iron tripod, 1994.

Alighiero Boetti at Barbara Gladstone Gallery

Italian artist Alighiero Boetti proved that conceptual art didn’t have to be visually dull with his Arazzi works – embroidered panels made by Afghan craftswomen in the 80s and 90s featuring Italian and Farsi text from poetry or sayings culled from around the world or authored by the artist.  (At Chelsea’s Barbara Gladstone Gallery through March 23rd).  

Alighiero Boetti, installation view of ‘La Forza del Centro,’ at Barbara Gladstone Gallery, Feb 2013.

Alighiero Boetti at the Museum of Modern Art

Alighiero Boetti, installation view at the Museum of Modern Art, Aug, 2012.
Alighiero Boetti, installation view at the Museum of Modern Art, Aug, 2012.

Alighiero Boetti’s gorgeous installation in the MoMA’s atrium defies Sol LeWitt’s oft-quoted 1967 remark about conceptual art that ‘all of the planning and decisions [for a work of art] are made beforehand and the execution is a perfunctory affair.’ In ‘Mappa’ from the 70s and 80s (on the back wall) and kilims from 1993 (in the foreground) Boetti commissioned his artwork from Afghan craftswomen, ensuring that execution shares the spotlight with conceptual content while recalling Minimalist seriality and Jasper Johns’ proto-Pop.