Alighiero E Boetti soon at Tate Modern
London, 13 September 2011, Art Media Agency (AMA).
For the first time ever, the Tate Modern is dedicating an exhibition to the oeuvre of Arte Povera artist, Alighiero E Boetti (1940–94). The Italian’s work will be presented in the institution’s galleries from 28 February until 27 May 2012.
Alongside the likes of Mario Merz, Jannis Kounellis, Luciano Fabro or Giulio Paolini, Boetti is known for having been a member of the movement, which appeared in the 60s as a reaction to the industrialisation of culture and consumerism. To fight against these growing tendencies, Arte Povera questioned the notions of property and appropriation, privileging the creative process in spite of possible detriment to the final result.
In Flash Art magazine, Germano Celant stated at the time: “It’s all about a new attitude that pushed the artist to constantly move away from the conventional role and the clichés with which society attributes him, in order to repossess a ‘reality’ that is the true kingdom of his self.”
Passionate about arithmetic and rhythm in language, letters and numbers continuously reappear in Boetti’s oeuvre. His most famous works come from the series Mappa, on which he began work in 1971. They represent embroidered planispheres, with world regions depicted through their flags. Engaged in this series until his death in 1994, Boetti retraces geopolitical changes, often the result of war, in today’s world.