Griffa and Guarneri Bring Analytical Painting to Venice Biennale 2017
Directed by Christine Macel, the 2017 Venice Biennale showcased Italian artists Giorgio Griffa (born 1936 in Turin) and Riccardo Guarneri (born 1933 in Florence) in the 'Padiglione dei colori' section, both prominent figures in Analytical Painting. This movement arose in the 1960s as a response to Minimalism and geometric abstraction, adopting a more emotive style in Italy. It gained attention through exhibitions such as 'Systemic Painting' at the Guggenheim in New York (1966) and 'Analytische Malerei' (1975). Although it participated in Documenta 6 (1977) and several Venice Biennales, it was often eclipsed by Arte Povera. Macel invited Griffa and Guarneri to create new pieces, emphasizing their mutual passion for music and astrophysics, and the significance of their artisanal methods in today's digital landscape.
Key facts
- Giorgio Griffa (born 1936, Turin) and Riccardo Guarneri (born 1933, Florence) were invited to the Venice Biennale 2017.
- Christine Macel, director of the 2017 Biennale, included them in the 'Padiglione dei colori' chapter.
- Analytical Painting emerged in the 1960s as a reaction to Minimalism, Informalism, and geometric abstraction.
- The term 'Analytical Painting' was first used in the 1975 exhibition 'Analytische Malerei' curated by Klaus Honnef and Catherine Millet.
- Guarneri first exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1966.
- Griffa and Guarneri participated in Documenta 6 (1977) and several Venice Biennales.
- Macel visited Guarneri's studio in Florence and commissioned new works from both artists.
- Macel noted the artists' shared interest in music and astrophysics.
Entities
Artists
- Giorgio Griffa
- Riccardo Guarneri
- Robert Ryman
- Pino Pinelli
- Filiberto Menna
- Germano Celant
- Lawrence Alloway
- Klaus Honnef
- Catherine Millet
- Jean-François Lyotard
- Christine Macel
- Nicola Davide Angerame
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Guggenheim New York
- Centre Pompidou
- Galleria Gian Enzo Sperone
- Galleria Lorcan O’Neill
- Rosai Ugolini Modern
- Flash Art
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Turin
- Florence
- New York
- Lower East Side
- Ginevra
- Rome
- Germany
- France
- England