Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art presents Jannis Kounellis, an exhibition on view 28 November 2012–17 February 2013.
Jannis Kounellis, Untitled, 1967. Iron structure and coal, 28 x 155 x 125 cm. Courtesy of the artist and of Sprovieri, London.Photo: Claudio Abate. © Jannis Kounellis
Considered a protagonist of Arte Povera, an art movement that emerged in Italy during the 1960s, Kounellis embarked on his artistic career by creating some of the most radical art works of the time. Often combining the inanimate and animate, he boldly incorporated things such as propane torches, plants and animals as integral if not vital parts of his works. He also introduced the notion of performance within works of art, something that to this day continues to inspire artists around the world. In all these works, Kounellis drew from his deep knowledge of and sensitivity to cultures of the past and his own heritage, in itself a spirited discussion between collective and personal experiences.
The exhibition at Parasol unit aims to consider Kounellis’s early works from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s and his own response to them from today’s standpoint, which often culminates in a more recent and spontaneous work. This juxtaposition of works of art from the different decades should thus engender an arena for discussion.
Born in 1936 in Piraeus, Greece, Kounellis moved to Rome in 1956, where he still lives and works.
This exhibition has been kindly supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture.
Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art
14 Wharf Road, London, N1 7RW
Admission: free
T + 44 (0) 207 490 7373
www.parasol-unit.org