New Skira volume examines Germano Celant's legacy as father of Arte Povera
A new book titled "Germano Celant. Cronistoria di un critico militante" has been released by Skira, focusing on Germano Celant (Genoa, 1940 – Milan, 2020), the pivotal Italian critic who introduced the term Arte Povera. This volume compiles studies and discussions from thematic study days organized by Marco Tirelli (president of the Accademia Nazionale di San Luca for 2023-24) and curated by Antonella Soldaini of Studio Celant, which occurred between 2022 and 2023 at various locations, including Castello di Rivoli and MAXXI. The extensive 500-page book features insights from artists and scholars, highlighting Celant's influential exhibitions and essays, such as the 1977 "Offmedia" show in Bari. It also includes writings from his son, Argento Celant, and examines his methodology and archive. Celant, who succumbed to COVID-19 in 2020, would have celebrated his 85th birthday on September 11, 2025.
Key facts
- Germano Celant was born in Genoa in 1940 and died in Milan in 2020.
- He is considered the most important Italian art critic from the 1960s onward.
- He coined the term Arte Povera.
- Skira published the volume 'Germano Celant. Cronistoria di un critico militante' for his 85th birthday.
- The book collects studies from thematic days held 2022-2023, conceived by Marco Tirelli and curated by Antonella Soldaini.
- Study days were held at Castello di Rivoli, Centro Pecci, Museo Madre, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Fondazione Prada, MAXXI, and Triennale Milano.
- Salvatore Settis gave the concluding lecture.
- Celant's 1977 'Offmedia' exhibition in Bari led to a collaboration with the Guggenheim Museum New York.
Entities
Artists
- Germano Celant
- Marco Tirelli
- Antonella Soldaini
- Salvatore Settis
- Argento Celant
- Angela Madesani
Institutions
- Skira
- Accademia Nazionale di San Luca
- Studio Celant
- Castello di Rivoli
- Centro per l'arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci
- Fondazione Donnaregina per le arti contemporanee – Museo Madre
- Fondazione Giorgio Cini
- Fondazione Prada
- MAXXI – Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo
- Triennale Milano
- Guggenheim Museum New York
- Artribune
- Amazon
Locations
- Genoa
- Milan
- Italy
- Venice
- Bari
- New York
- United States
- Rome