Rome's Galleria Nazionale 1968 Exhibition Criticized as Too Mainstream
The exhibition "È solo un inizio. 1968," curated by Ester Coen, has launched at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the protests of 1968. Since its debut in late 2017, it showcases works from a range of international artists, including Luciano Fabro, Gino De Dominicis, Carla Cerati, and Diane Arbus, among others. Despite its sophisticated presentation, the exhibition faces criticism for its limited emphasis on Conceptual Art, Arte Povera, and American Minimalism, neglecting the political and social upheaval of the time. Notable absentees include Nanni Balestrini, Joseph Beuys, and Ana Mendieta. A catalog in newspaper format includes writings from prominent figures like Giuliano Ferrara and Toni Negri, with critiques suggesting a lack of the era's rebellious essence.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'È solo un inizio. 1968' at Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome
- Curated by Ester Coen
- Opened in late 2017, marking 50 years since 1968 protests
- Features works by Luciano Fabro, Gino De Dominicis, Carla Cerati, Diane Arbus, Mario Schifano, Franco Angeli, Gilberto Zorio, Vito Acconci, Luigi Ontani, Merce Cunningham, Mario Merz, Maurizio Mochetti, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Joseph Kosuth, Jannis Kounellis, Daniel Buren, Joan Jonas, Donald Judd, Bruce Nauman, Carl Andre, Giovanni Anselmo, Dan Flavin, Richard Long
- Catalog in newspaper format includes texts by Giuliano Ferrara, Mario Perniola, Toni Negri, Luciana Castellina, Rossana Rossanda, Franco Piperno, Giacomo Marramao
- Criticized for omitting political and social context of 1968
- Missing artists: Nanni Balestrini, Pablo Echaurren, Gianni Pettena, Fabio Mauri, Emilio Isgrò, Gastone Novelli, Joseph Beuys, Ana Mendieta, Suzanne Lacy, Archigram, Living Theatre, Odin Teatret
- Review by Helga Marsala on Artribune
Entities
Artists
- Ester Coen
- Luciano Fabro
- Gino De Dominicis
- Carla Cerati
- Diane Arbus
- Mario Schifano
- Franco Angeli
- Gilberto Zorio
- Vito Acconci
- Luigi Ontani
- Merce Cunningham
- Mario Merz
- Maurizio Mochetti
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
- Joseph Kosuth
- Jannis Kounellis
- Daniel Buren
- Joan Jonas
- Donald Judd
- Bruce Nauman
- Carl Andre
- Giovanni Anselmo
- Dan Flavin
- Richard Long
- Nanni Balestrini
- Pablo Echaurren
- Gianni Pettena
- Fabio Mauri
- Emilio Isgrò
- Gastone Novelli
- Joseph Beuys
- Ana Mendieta
- Suzanne Lacy
- Tadeusz Kantor
- Julian Beck
- Judith Malina
- Eugenio Barba
- Giuliano Ferrara
- Mario Perniola
- Toni Negri
- Luciana Castellina
- Rossana Rossanda
- Franco Piperno
- Giacomo Marramao
- Alexander Alberro
- Marco Meneguzzo
- Tano D'Amico
- Helga Marsala
Institutions
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
- Artribune
- Living Theatre
- Odin Teatret
- Cricot 2
- Archigram
- Biennale di Venezia
- John & Levi (publisher)
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Milan