Julian Beck's Paintings at Casa Morra Archive in Naples
The Casa Morra Archive of Contemporary Art in Naples presents a retrospective of Julian Beck's paintings, spanning from 1945 to 1958. Beck, co-founder of the Living Theatre, developed his pictorial work amid the political turmoil of 1940s-50s America, influenced by Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. The exhibition, titled 'I Giganti dell’Arte dal Teatro. Julian Beck Hermann Nitsch Shozo Shimamoto' (2017), features works from the archive's collection, including 'Lead and Gold: War and Peace' and 'The city by night' (1946), and the monumental 'Icarus' (1956). Beck's early works show a libertarian enthusiasm, while later pieces reveal layered geometries and existential anxieties. The show traces his evolution from defining form to integrating collage and mixed media, anticipating later artistic developments.
Key facts
- Julian Beck (1925-1985) was an American artist and co-founder of the Living Theatre.
- The exhibition at Casa Morra Archive in Naples includes works from 1945 to 1958.
- Beck's painting was influenced by Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.
- Key works include 'Lead and Gold: War and Peace' (1946), 'The city by night' (1946), and 'Icarus' (1956).
- The exhibition title is 'I Giganti dell’Arte dal Teatro. Julian Beck Hermann Nitsch Shozo Shimamoto'.
- The show is held at the Archivio Casa Morra in Naples.
- Beck's later works incorporate collage and layered geometries.
- The exhibition reflects Beck's role as a precursor to 1950s art movements.
Entities
Artists
- Julian Beck
- Jackson Pollock
- Willem de Kooning
- Judith Malina
- Robert Rauschenberg
- Jack Kerouac
- Hermann Nitsch
- Shozo Shimamoto
- Lucrezia Longobardi
Institutions
- Casa Morra Archive of Contemporary Art
- Living Theatre
- Artribune
Locations
- New York
- Naples
- Italy
- America