Italian artists have always been pioneers, transforming how we think about art through bold approaches to space, materials, and ideas. ITALIANS: Space, Material, Idea celebrates this legacy by bringing together works from some of Italy’s most influential artists, including Lucio Fontana, Mimmo Rotella, Salvo, Franco Mazzucchelli, Luigi Ontani, Jannis Kounellis, Pino Pinelli, and Maurizio Cattelan. These works, sourced from private collections across Italy and Europe, highlight the creativity and experimentation that have shaped modern and contemporary art.
The exhibition begins with Lucio Fontana, whose slashed canvases broke traditional artistic boundaries by incorporating space as part of the artwork. It closes with Maurizio Cattelan, whose provocative works challenge our ideas about art’s role in today’s society. Between these two points, the exhibition takes viewers on a journey through key ideas and movements:
• Mimmo Rotella critiques consumer culture with his layered décollages made from torn advertising posters.
• Jannis Kounellis, a key figure of Arte Povera, transforms everyday materials into radical and poetic statements.
• Pino Pinelli emphasizes texture and materiality in his fragmented and tactile works.
• Franco Mazzucchelli redefines sculpture with inflatable forms that explore space and impermanence.
• Luigi Ontani creates playful works that blend myth, fantasy, and cultural influences from East and West.
• Salvo reimagines the classical theme of landscapes with a bold, modern twist.
Set on the 52nd floor of the Maze Tower, the exhibition pairs the historic and conceptual depth of these artworks with Dubai’s strikingly modern skyline. This unique setting highlights the dialogue between the past and the present, tradition and innovation.
To provide further context, archival materials are included to offer a deeper look into the artists’ processes and the groundbreaking movements they represent, including Spatialism, Arte Povera, and Pop Art reinterpretations.
ITALIANS: Space, Material, Idea showcases the ongoing relevance of Italian art, celebrating its ability to innovate, inspire, and push boundaries—just as it has for decades.