Jannis Kounellis

Description

By (author) Larratt-Smith Philip; By (author) Fuchs Rudi; By (artist) Kounellis Jannis; Contributions by Audi Pierre; Contributions by Durham Jimmie; Contributions by Hammons David; Contributions by Moure Gloria; Contributions by Paolini, Giulio; Con

Short /annotation:
The ultimate monograph on one of the most important artists of the twentieth century – a key figure in Arte Povera

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The ultimate monograph on one of the most important artists of the twentieth century – a key figure in Arte Povera

This book is the final, most comprehensive book ever made by Greek-born Jannis Kounellis, one of the key artists in the Arte Povera movement. Following his breakthrough in the late 1960s in Rome, when he questioned the traditionally sterile environment of the gallery by exhibiting live animals within its walls, Kounellis went on to include diverse materials in his work, including fire, earth, gold, wood, and charcoal, quickly establishing himself as one of the most innovative sculptors of our time.

Writings by the artist and a collection of tributes from people who have known and worked with him over the years, such as Pierre Audi, David Hammons, Gloria Moure, Giulio Paolini, Vassilis Vassilikos, and many others, are included.

Jannis Kounellis is the latest addition to the acclaimed Phaidon Contemporary Artists Series.

Review quote:

“Kounellis was a true realist – not because he endeavored to represent reality faithfully through figuration, but on account of his deep and lasting commitment to the meaningfulness of embodied social and material experience.”—Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Artforum

“Each time you see Kounellis”s work, you are reminded of all that went before: plain things, universal, ancient, and yet unarguably modern.”—Laura Cumming, Observer

Biographical note:

Philip Larratt-Smith is an independent curator and writer based in New York.

Rudi Fuchs is an art historian and former director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.