Shōzō Shimamoto's Grandi Opere at CIAC Foligno
The CIAC in Foligno is showcasing 'Shōzō Shimamoto. Grandi Opere', a retrospective organized by Fondazione Morra and curated by Italo Tomassoni, which will be open until January 9, 2022. This exhibition traces the Japanese artist's journey from the 1940s and 1950s, emphasizing his performative actions in Italy and his action-oriented painting style. As a co-founder of the Gutai group in 1954, Shimamoto is celebrated for integrating bodily movement with painting, often incorporating Buddhist themes. The display features large canvases, vibrant Venus figures, experimental calligraphy, and mail art, including his 2006 performance 'Un’arma per la pace' in Piazza Dante and the 2008 series 'Tra Oriente e Occidente'. Giuseppe Morra and Achille Bonito Oliva discuss the cultural relevance of his work.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Shōzō Shimamoto. Grandi Opere' at CIAC Foligno, curated by Italo Tomassoni, project by Fondazione Morra.
- Runs until January 9, 2022.
- Shimamoto co-founded Gutai group in 1954 with Jirō Yoshihara.
- Shimamoto born in Osaka 1928, died 2013.
- In 1998 selected for MOCA Los Angeles show with Pollock, Cage, Fontana.
- Performance 'Un’arma per la pace' (2006) in Piazza Dante, Naples: Shimamoto suspended 40m high throwing color bombs.
- Cycle 'Tra Oriente e Occidente' (2008) explores cultural stratifications.
- Shimamoto pioneered mail art.
- Exhibition includes video documentation of performances in Italy.
- Charlemagne Palestine performed on piano during 2006 action.
Entities
Artists
- Shōzō Shimamoto
- Jirō Yoshihara
- Jackson Pollock
- John Cage
- Lucio Fontana
- George Mathieu
- Allan Kaprow
- Charlemagne Palestine
- Achille Bonito Oliva
- Giuseppe Morra
- Italo Tomassoni
Institutions
- CIAC Foligno
- Fondazione Morra
- Associazione Shōzō Shimamoto
- MOCA Los Angeles
- Gutai group
Locations
- Foligno
- Italy
- Osaka
- Naples
- Capri
- Punta Campanella
- Piazza Dante
- Los Angeles