|
Introduction |
Visiting Info |
Anselmo |
Boetti |
Calzolari |
Fabro |
Gilardi |
Kounellis
Merz, Mario |
Merz, Marisa |
Paolini |
Pascali |
Penone |
Pistoletto |
Prini |
Zorio
Alighiero Boetti
Political Map of the World, 1969
Renata Novarese, Moransengo, Italy, Photo: Paolo Pellion di
Persano
Alighiero Boetti (b. 1940, Turin; d. 1994, Rome) worked
with cement, cloth, electric light, wood and even the postal
system. His array of techniques embraced embroidery, drawing,
photocopying, printing, photography, construction and often
involved collaboration with people both inside and outside
the art world. With this diverse and democratic approach,
he wanted to blur the boundaries between art and life, and
to disseminate his art as widely as possible using the humblest
of means. He rejected the strategies and materials of 'high'
art in favour of 'low' forms such as craft and design. Yearly
Lamp, 1966, for example, is simply a light bulb in a wooden
box, which randomly switches itself on for eleven seconds
each year. This work focuses both on the transform-ative powers
of energy, and on the possibilities and limitations of chance
- the likelihood of a viewer being present at the moment of
illumination is remote.
Boetti was fascinated by the relationship between chance
and order, systems of classification, and many aspects of
culture, particularly non-Western traditions and practices.
This global vision is reflected in his best-known works -
the series of embroidered maps of the world, made in collaboration
with crafts-workers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Here, the
shape of each country is embroidered with the design of its
national flag, vividly illustrating our world of fiercely
demarcated individual nation states. As Boetti's works demonstrate,
these boundaries are nevertheless involved in a constant process
of flux and negotiation due to political events such as the
reunification of Germany, or the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Boetti disassociated himself from Arte Povera in the early
1970s.
Back I Next
|
