GIUSEPPE PENONE
Whitechapel Gallery
77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street - London 5/9/2012 - 1/9/2013
The steel cast of a hand gripping the tender stem of a sapling only to be absorbed as the tree grows stronger; a tree’s younger self revealed within an industrially cut beam by stripping back the wood to a single year ring; the sculpture of a stone made to resemble a rock found in the river: these are some of the gestures with which Giuseppe Penone over the past 45 years has examined modern society’s relationship to nature.
Born in 1947, Penone was the final member to be admitted to the legendary group of Arte Povera. Inspired by the radical politics of the late 1960s these Italian artists turned the conventions of traditional sculpture upside down as an invitation for us to take greater responsibility for the way we live. For the latest Bloomberg Commission, Penone is developing a new installation that stays true to the remarkable consistency of his ongoing work. A tree unlike any other will create a space in which to have a rich conversation about nature and the city. An emblematic artist for this year’s documenta survey of international art and chosen to exhibit at Versailles next spring, this is Penone’s first major project in a public gallery in London. Accompanied by four seasons of special talks and events.
The Bloomberg Commission invites an international artist to create an annual site-specific artwork inspired by the rich history of the former library. Bloomberg’s support reflects its commitment to innovation, and its ongoing efforts to expand access to art, science and the humanities.
Whitechapel Gallery
77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street - London 5/9/2012 - 1/9/2013
The steel cast of a hand gripping the tender stem of a sapling only to be absorbed as the tree grows stronger; a tree’s younger self revealed within an industrially cut beam by stripping back the wood to a single year ring; the sculpture of a stone made to resemble a rock found in the river: these are some of the gestures with which Giuseppe Penone over the past 45 years has examined modern society’s relationship to nature.
Born in 1947, Penone was the final member to be admitted to the legendary group of Arte Povera. Inspired by the radical politics of the late 1960s these Italian artists turned the conventions of traditional sculpture upside down as an invitation for us to take greater responsibility for the way we live. For the latest Bloomberg Commission, Penone is developing a new installation that stays true to the remarkable consistency of his ongoing work. A tree unlike any other will create a space in which to have a rich conversation about nature and the city. An emblematic artist for this year’s documenta survey of international art and chosen to exhibit at Versailles next spring, this is Penone’s first major project in a public gallery in London. Accompanied by four seasons of special talks and events.
The Bloomberg Commission invites an international artist to create an annual site-specific artwork inspired by the rich history of the former library. Bloomberg’s support reflects its commitment to innovation, and its ongoing efforts to expand access to art, science and the humanities.
