1968 Art Milestones: From Occupied Triennale to Burri's Cretto
In 2018, the world reflected on the 50th anniversary of the 1968 protest movement. Milan is hosting an exhibition called 'Un grande numero. Segni immagini parole del 1968 a Milano' from October 2 to 22 at ex Ansaldo, organized by Fondazione ISEC, which showcases how the movement communicated its messages. The exhibition's name references the XIV Triennale, which was seized by students and intellectuals, including Ernesto Treccani and Enzo Mari, on May 30, delaying its opening. In January, a severe earthquake struck Sicily’s Belice Valley, inspiring Alberto Burri’s Cretto di Gibellina, a land-art piece covering 12 hectares, now at Museo Civico di Noto from October 6. Notably, three influential Italian artists—Leoncillo Leonardi, Lucio Fontana, and Pino Pascali—died in September 1968.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Un grande numero' runs October 2–22, 2018 at ex Ansaldo, Milan.
- Curated by Fondazione ISEC, it explores the 1968 movement through communication forms.
- Title references the XIV Triennale of 1968, which was occupied on May 30 by students, workers, and intellectuals.
- Occupiers included Ernesto Treccani, Arnaldo and Giò Pomodoro, Enzo Mari, and Arturo Schwarz.
- January 1968 Belice earthquake destroyed Gibellina and other towns.
- Alberto Burri created the Cretto di Gibellina (1984–1989), a 12-hectare land-art work from rubble.
- Cretto di Gibellina featured at Museo Civico di Noto from October 6, curated by Angelo de Grande.
- Three major Italian artists died in September 1968: Leoncillo Leonardi (Sept 3), Lucio Fontana (Sept 7), Pino Pascali (Sept 11).
Entities
Artists
- Alberto Burri
- Pino Pascali
- Leoncillo Leonardi
- Lucio Fontana
- Ernesto Treccani
- Arnaldo Pomodoro
- Giò Pomodoro
- Enzo Mari
- Arturo Schwarz
- Claudio Cintoli
- Angelo de Grande
- Ludovico Pratesi
Institutions
- Fondazione ISEC
- BASE Milano
- Triennale di Milano
- Biennale di Venezia
- Fondazione Pino Pascali
- Museo Rometti
- Museo Civico di Noto
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Gibellina
- Sicily
- Belice Valley
- Salaparuta
- Santa Ninfa
- Montevago
- Partanna
- Poggioreale
- Santa Margherita Belice
- Trapani
- Agrigento
- Polignano a Mare
- Umbertide
- Noto
- San Francisco
- New York
- Paris
- Prague
- Tokyo