Sperone Westwater Gallery presents first U.S. survey of Zero group, highlighting material experimentation

From November 6 to December 20, the Sperone Westwater Gallery in New York City presented the inaugural American exhibition dedicated to the Zero group. Established by Heinz Mack and Otto Piene, this collective was active from 1957 to 1966, challenging post-war expressionism through the use of minimal materials. Artists hailing from France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland contributed to this initiative, which included single-evening showcases. The exhibition highlighted works that focused on materiality, showcasing a palette dominated by grays, blacks, and browns. Featured artworks comprised Piero Manzoni's Achrome (1958-59), Heinz Mack's Folium Argentum (1968), and Otto Piene's Light Ballet on Wheels (1965), while also drawing parallels to later movements like Arte Povera and contemporary artists such as Sergej Jensen and Stefan Muller.