Enrico Baj's 'Ultracorpi' Invade Aosta Museum

The Museo Archeologico Regionale in Aosta presents 'Enrico Baj – L'invasione degli ultracorpi,' a comprehensive exhibition of the Italian artist's work, running until October 9, 2016. Curated by Chiara Gatti, the show centers on Baj's recurring 'ultracorpo' (ultra-body) motif, a playful yet unsettling figure that appears throughout his career. The exhibition opens with works from his nuclear period of the 1950s, when Baj was in contact with the CoBrA group and ceramists in Albisola, particularly Asger Jorn. Highlights include 'Parata a sei' (1964), critiquing military rhetoric; 'Le modificazioni,' where Baj inserted his creatures into purchased kitsch paintings; and 'Vieni qua, biondina' and 'La mondana con gli ultracorpi' (both 1959), featuring nude figures. The show also explores Baj's connection to France, where he frequented Marcel Duchamp and writer Raymond Queneau, reflecting his interest in 'Pataphysics. Sculptures using Meccano sets evoke a childlike dimension. The exhibition concludes with 'L'Apocalisse' (1978–1983), a variable installation of wooden silhouettes with irreverent names like 'Sputafuoco' and 'Cacacazzo,' created specially for the occasion. The catalog is published by Silvana Editoriale.