Arte povera 1966-1980 | Books and documents

Anselmo, Boetti, Calzolari, Fabro, Kounellis, Mario and Marisa Merz, Paolini, Pascali, Penone, Pistoletto, Prini, Zorio: the protagonists of the most important italian artistic movement in the second half of the XX century are introduced not by their “traditional” works, but from a particular point of view: their publishing production. These artists’ books were conceived, built and re-invented as works of art themselves, and some of them had a very important role in defining the aims and beliefs of the whole artistic movement. A detailed introduction analyses “diagonally” people, times, places and texts involved in the Arte Povera movement and their mutual relationships; then, each artist is individually presented through his books and one-person exhibitions, along with several photos of the mentioned documents. The book is completed by an accurate chronology of the collective exhibitions (1966-2005) and a detailed bibliography of the books, essays and articles about the "poveristi” (1966-2006). The collection “books on books”, dedicated to essays about artists’ books, is now enriched with a new volume by one of the most appreciated experts on this subject.