Francesco Clemente on 'Anima Nomade' and the nomadic soul of painting

Francesco Clemente discusses his major solo exhibition 'Anima Nomade' at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, curated by Bartolomeo Pietromarchi and open from November 23. The show features six tents made between 2010 and 2014 in a former Indian army tent factory, along with murals and flags embroidered with quotes from Guy Debord's 'The Society of the Spectacle'. Clemente, born in Naples in 1952, reflects on his nomadic life between Naples, Rome, New York, and Madras, and his fascination with the dialogue between India and America, influenced by Beat poets and Hindu reformists. He describes the tents as an attempt to enter a painting world from which he never wants to return. The exhibition title evolved from 'Accampamento' to 'Tendopoli' before settling on 'Anima Nomade', which Clemente likes for its many 'm' letters, symbol of the Virgin. He expresses happiness that painting is proliferating again, recalling losing friendships with artists like Alighiero Boetti when he started painting in the late 1970s. The murals reinforce the ephemeral nature of the show, with the first created in China five years ago, followed by Berlin, Dallas, and Rome. Clemente emphasizes that he does not give messages but describes, hoping visitors might fall asleep inside the tents.