Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts

Jannis Kounellis was a Greek artist who was a pioneer of Arte Povera. He created innovative sculptures, paintings, and installations that explored themes such as theater, migration, history, and politics. This catalog presents a comprehensive assessment of his career, with visual materials and writings from his estate and archive.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2023
Publisher: Walker Art Centre,U.S.

Jannis Kounellis, a pioneering figure in the Italian Arte Povera movement, has left an indelible mark on the art world over the course of his illustrious career. Spanning more than five decades, Kounellis' artistic journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of innovation and experimentation across a diverse range of mediums, including painting, works on paper, sculpture, installation, and hybrid works that seamlessly blend objects with live performance.

As a central figure in the Italian Arte Povera movement of the 1960s and early 1970s, Kounellis emerged as an alchemist of the everyday, harnessing the power of ordinary materials and everyday objects to create profound and thought-provoking works. His artistic vision encompassed a wide range of themes, from theater and migration to history, politics, and the human condition.

Published by the Walker Art Center after a gap of over 35 years, Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts presents the most comprehensive assessment of Kounellis' career to date. This richly illustrated catalog, assembled with the full cooperation of the artist's estate and archive, offers a first-of-its-kind collection of visual materials and Kounellis' writings, including image-based exhibition and performance chronologies. The volume also features insightful essays by renowned art scholars Vincenzo de Bellis, Claire Gilman, Kit Hammonds, and Ara H. Merjian.

Born in Piraeus, Greece, in 1936, Kounellis' artistic journey began in Rome in 1956, where he quickly became an active member of the Arte Povera movement. His artistic prowess was evident in his early works, such as the installation of 12 live horses in the gallery LAttico in Rome in 1969, which remains one of his most iconic creations.

Throughout his career, Kounellis exhibited his work in numerous galleries and museums worldwide, including the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens, Greece (2012) and the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Germany (2007). His influence on contemporary art continues to be felt, as his innovative approach to sculpture and his exploration of themes that resonate with the human experience continue to inspire and influence artists across generations.

In conclusion, Jannis Kounellis' sculptural innovation and artistic vision have left an enduring mark on the art world. His unwavering commitment to experimentation and his ability to transform everyday objects into works of art have inspired generations of artists and continue to shape the landscape of contemporary art. Through his prolific career, Kounellis has demonstrated the power of art to transcend boundaries and engage with the deepest aspects of human experience.

Weight: 1089g
Dimension: 241 x 198 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781935963257