maurizio cattelan retrospective at the guggenheim

'mini me' (1999), part of the 'all' maurizio cattelan retrospective at the guggenheim museum
rubber, resin, synthetic hair, paint, and clothing, 45 x 20 x 23 cm
© maurizio cattelan
image © attilio maranzano, courtesy of the artist


this november, the solomon r. guggenheim museum in new york city presents 'all', the first retrospective of italian-born
artist maurizio cattelan, whose works treat-- often provocatively-- aspects of popular culture, religion, and society.

the exhibition presents over 130 works from the artist, ranging from the late 1980's to the present. smaller-scale pieces,
like his many puppet-like self-portraits and installations, are collected alongside documentation of some of his larger works,
like the 'L.O.V.E.' sculpture (still on display in front of the italian stock exchange building, although intended when installed
in september of 2010 as a 10-day installation for milan's fashion week), which recreates the 'omnia munda mundis' monument
with all fingers except the middle one broken off. a site-specific installation designed by cattelan specifically for the retrospective
is exhibited in the museum's entry rotunda.

although he himself rejects overarching descriptions of his work, maurizio cattelan is frequently compared to a shakespearian fool,
using wit and jests towards the expression of more universal truths. critics and viewers reflect that his works-- sometimes playful,
often highly controversial, and frequently blurring the boundaries between art and reality-- call into question commonly accepted values
and ways of thinking. taken at times to be critical of religion and other organized social structures, the pieces might be understood
to exist without a particular intended significance, but rather as a means to encourage active questioning and engagement.



'L.O.V.E.' (2010)
carrara marble
figure: 470 x 220 x 72 cm; base: 630 x 470 x 470 cm
image © designboom



'novecento' (1997)
taxidermied horse, leather saddle, rope, and pulley
201.2 x 271.3 x 68.6 cm
© maurizio cattelan
image © paolo pellion di persano, courtesy of the artist



'la rivoluzione siamo noi' (2000)
polyester resin, wax, pigment, felt suit, and metal coat rack
figure: 123.8 x 35.6 x 43.2 cm; coat rack: 189.9 x 47 x 52.1 cm
© maurizio cattelan
image © attilio maranzano, courtesy of the artist



untitled (2001)
wax, pigment, human hair, fabric, and polyester resin
150 x 60 x 40 cm
© maurizio cattelan
image © attilio maranzano, courtesy of the artist



'we' (2010)
polyester resin, polyurethane, rubber, paint, human hair, fabric, and wood
68 x 148 x 78.7 cm
© maurizio cattelan
image © paolo pellion di persano, courtesy of the artist



'him' (2001)
polyester resin, wax, pigment, human hair, and suit
101 x 41 x 53 cm
© maurizio cattelan
image © paolo pellion di persano, courtesy of the artist



'la nona ora' (1999)
polyester resin, wax, pigment, human hair, fabric, clothing, accessories, stone, glass, and carpet
dimensions variable
© maurizio cattelan
image © attilio maranzano, courtesy of the artist