Claire Fontaine's neon installation enters Palazzo Maffei collection in Verona
The Parisian artist collective Claire Fontaine, established in 2004 by Fulvia Carnevale and James Thornhill, has unveiled a neon artwork stating 'Beauty is a ready-made' at Palazzo Maffei in Verona. This installation, now included in the museum's collection, engages with Alessandro Puttinati's 1846 sculpture 'La Bagnante', located at Piazza Erbe 38. Spearheaded by art historian Gabriella Belli, director of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, this project encourages contemplation on the themes of the female form and traditional notions of beauty. Drawing inspiration from Duchamp's readymade, Claire Fontaine's work critiques objectification, highlighting that the definition of beauty shifts over time and that 'La Bagnante' assumes a modern relevance, representing the female body as a site of political discourse.
Key facts
- Claire Fontaine is a collective founded in 2004 in Paris by Fulvia Carnevale and James Thornhill.
- The installation reads 'Beauty is a ready-made' and is site-specific for Palazzo Maffei.
- The work enters the collection of Palazzo Maffei in Verona.
- It is conceived in dialogue with Alessandro Puttinati's 1846 sculpture 'La Bagnante'.
- Both works are located in the monumental courtyard of the house museum at Piazza Erbe 38.
- The initiative was led by art historian Gabriella Belli, director of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.
- Belli previously added works by Arcangelo Sassolino, Maurizio Nannucci, Daan Roosegaarde, Chiara Dynys, Leandro Erlich, Nunzio, and Giuseppe Gallo.
- The installation uses neon and LED, inspired by Duchamp's readymade.
Entities
Artists
- Claire Fontaine
- Fulvia Carnevale
- James Thornhill
- Alessandro Puttinati
- Gabriella Belli
- Arcangelo Sassolino
- Maurizio Nannucci
- Daan Roosegaarde
- Chiara Dynys
- Leandro Erlich
- Nunzio
- Giuseppe Gallo
- Marcel Duchamp
Institutions
- Palazzo Maffei
- Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia
Locations
- Verona
- Paris
- Piazza Erbe 38
- Italy