Luigi Ontani's 'Alam Jiwa & Vanitas' at GAM Torino
Luigi Ontani (born 1943, Vergato) presents 130 recent works at GAM Torino, many begun in the 1980s and 1990s, in the exhibition 'Alam Jiwa & Vanitas' curated by Elena Volpato. The show takes its name from the Alam Jiwa flower, meaning 'nature of the soul' in Balinese, which appears in 18 watercolors. The works include photographs, lenticular prints, ceramics, and a ceramic reproduction of Giorgio Morandi's flower vase. Highlights include three 1977 photographs 'Lord Vanity' from a performance at the Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram, and the ceramic sculpture 'ZarathustrAsso' (1997) referencing Nietzsche in Turin. Ontani is the only non-Balinese artist invited to create a sculpture for the Nyepi ceremony. The exhibition also features ceramic books, including a reproduction of Italo Calvino's 'I nostri antenati' published by Einaudi, and a remake of RoseLee Goldberg's 'Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present' (1988), which used Ontani's work on its cover. The show is described as anachronistic and influential for younger generations.
Key facts
- Luigi Ontani was born in 1943 in Vergato, Italy.
- The exhibition 'Alam Jiwa & Vanitas' is held at GAM Torino.
- The show is curated by Elena Volpato.
- 130 works are displayed, some begun in the 1980s and 1990s.
- 18 watercolors feature the Alam Jiwa flower, meaning 'nature of the soul' in Balinese.
- The exhibition includes the 1977 performance photographs 'Lord Vanity' taken at the Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram.
- A ceramic reproduction of Giorgio Morandi's flower vase is included.
- Ontani is the only non-Balinese artist to create a sculpture for the Nyepi ceremony.
- The ceramic sculpture 'ZarathustrAsso' (1997) references Nietzsche in Turin.
- Ceramic books include reproductions of Italo Calvino's 'I nostri antenati' (Einaudi) and RoseLee Goldberg's 'Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present' (1988).
- RoseLee Goldberg is a critic and founder of Performa.
- The exhibition is considered anachronistic and influential for younger generations.
Entities
Artists
- Luigi Ontani
- Giorgio Morandi
- Italo Calvino
- RoseLee Goldberg
- Antonio Grulli
Institutions
- GAM Torino
- Einaudi
- Performa
- Artribune
Locations
- Vergato
- Italy
- Torino
- Turin
- Rome
- Riola di Vergato
- New Delhi
- Kanchipuram
- India
- Grizzana Morandi
- New York
- Bali