The comeback of ‘Arte Povera’ has sparked an interest among modern generations in an art movement that is more than five decades old.
Until January 20th 2025, the exhibition ‘Arte Povera’ will fill the rooms of the Bourse de Commerce in Paris. From lesser known artists such as Mario Merz to widely known ones such as Jannis Kounellis, the artworks of this movement are displayed as a reminder of what is important in our modern society.
‘Arte Povera’ was in vogue in the late 1960s. It is now an exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce showcasing a fascinating modernity and relevance to nowadays’ artistic scene. Modern generations find it interesting for this very reason. But let’s find out more about the origins of the art movement.
History of the ‘Arte Povera’
Beginning in the late 1960s, ‘Arte Povera’ — “poor art” in Italian — proved to be an innovative and original art movement. Articles about it have been circulating since the start but, at the time of its creation, it was not very popular. Without a unified manifesto, it gradually gained popularity over time and left a great impact on the art world.
The curator of the exhibition, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, stated that “what we today call Arte Povera works using simple, inexpensive materials and techniques to create elemental installations,” thereby summarizing the core of the movement.
The main artists are Alighiero Boetti, Giuseppe Penone, Giovanni Anselmo, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Luciano Fabro, Pino Pascali, Giulio Paolini, Gilberto Zorio, Emilio Prini, Jannis Kounellis, Marisa Merz, Mario Merz, and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
The central definition of the Arte Povera is the common belief that to acknowledge the real aspect of an artwork, the artwork needs to be impoverished — going back to the essentials. Once the superfluous layers of the installations are removed, the artwork becomes a closer depiction of reality.
‘Arte Povera’ at the Bourse de Commerce
Curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, the ‘Arte Povera’ exhibition has been displayed at the Bourse de Commerce since October 2024. Along with artworks belonging to the art movement, there are also more contemporary sculptures and installations inspired by it.
While discussing the process of putting together the exhibition, Emma Lavigne, the general curator and general director of the Pinault Collection, said:
“Exhibiting Arte Povera is a challenge, a discussion with the audience, the artist and stakeholders that must be constantly maintained throughout this adventure.”
By defining the exhibition as an adventure, Emma Lavigne also deconstructs the traditional sense of art in a more modern and approachable activity. ‘Arte Povera’ is not only meant to be seen but engaged with, which unveils a new way to appreciate art. Those not interested in traditional art can find a new perspective and interest in the art movement.
6 ‘Arte Povera’ Artworks
1. Idee di pietra – 1532 kg di luce by Giuseppe Penone
At the entrance of the Bourse de Commerce is the first artwork by Giuseppe Penone. This more modern statue, created in 2010, goes back to the beginning of the art movement. Returning to the basics of nature (with the presence of the tree and the stones) and making art from it is what ‘Arte Povera’ is all about.
2. Venere degli Stracci (‘Venus of the Rags’) by Michelangelo Pistoletto
This emblematic artwork is one of the many copies that the artist worked on. It remains one of the trendiest artworks because of its relevance to modern society. In the late 1960s, clothes meant warmth and wealth. In our consumeristic world, this pile of clothes in front of the Venus could also represent the superfluous role that things take in our everyday life.
3. Alpi Marittime 1968 by Giuseppe Penone
This sequence of photographs — one of which is below — represents the attention the artist gave to trees and nature. On the photo, Penone wrote L’albero crescendo ricorderà il mio contatto: “The tree growing will remember my contact,” showing how human beings affect the nature around us. The simplicity of the picture reveals a deeper understanding of nature that is transformed in a work of art.
4. L’Italia (Italy) by Luciano Fabro
In this particular installation, Fabro exposes the shape of Italy in an original way to convey the idea that the country is constantly evolving and changing. Made out of iron and paper map, L’Italia is another one of the most iconic artworks of the ‘Arte Povera.’
Fabro himself explained it as:
“The shape of Italy is static, immobile; I measure the mobility of my hands against an immobile thing. Italy is a sketchbook, a memorandum that I kept up over the years. It is a suspended form, which seems capable of infinite variations.“
5. Confine incandescente (il confine è la linea immaginaria che si concretizza con la violenza), [Incandescent border (the border is the imaginary line that materializes with violence)] by Gilberto Zorio
A chrome nickel wire creating the word “confine” (border) is an installation created in 1970. It follows the second law of thermodynamics, which challenged the artist to use a small quantity of energy to produce the artwork. In fact, the electrical current runs through the wire and releases spectacular and violent energy, resulting in heat. The bright red color of the installation is the effect of this whole process.
6. Particolare (Particular) by Giovanni Anselmo
Five projectors on the ground in the room at the center of the Bourse de Commerce project the word ‘PARTICOLARE’ and all point to different spots. Particolare is a piece that stays alive and dynamic because the word appears on people walking in, making them particolari as well. The infinite possibilities of the projectors reveal the thin line between what is image and what is real.
Between the ‘Arte Povera’ exhibition and its public
Among the myriad visitors of the Bourse de Commerce, there are numerous young people who are attracted by the exhibition either because of social media or other reasons.
For instance, Claudio, a 21-year-old who visited the exhibition, spoke about the importance of the exhibition:
“In this historical period they help us think. We should reflect on going back to our roots, to a simpler life, genuine, those of our ancestors.”
According to Claudio,
“Many think to go back to a country life, to move close to the earth and push away the continuous impulses of our current society.”
The exhibit has something for everyone — from the simple neon writings displayed on white walls to the trunk trees exposed as reminders that nature is precious and has to be appreciated.
Why is it still relevant nowadays?
The philosophy of the art movement can be described as “back to the basics.” In our technological society, newer generations tend to desire a simpler life with strong connections to nature.
‘Arte Povera’ fits in this era of abstractness by reminding us that what really matters is often in front of us — in the trunk of a tree or in words that make us feel special.
According to the curator of the exhibition:
“In an era where everything is abstracted and the technIology through which we experience the world is opaque to most people, there is a need to go back to the basics and affirm why matter matters and why embodied life and materials matter.“
Interactive artworks are also more enthralling to modern generations. They involve the audience in what is frequently known as static and distant.
With a series of events, like Michelangelo Pistoletto showcasing one of his artworks, and the free entrance to under 27 (EU residents), the Bourse de Commerce encourages many young people to admire and treasure modern art.
@h.stories_event #story h.stories team dives into the world of Arte Povera at Bourse de Commerce, exploring how raw materials and bold concepts inspire modern creativity. See how art fuels our passion for storytelling and event design. #ArtePovera #BourseDeCommerce #hstoriesInspiration ♬ original sound – Reece WithoutHerSpoon
Like it often happens with modern art movements, ‘Arte Povera’ is still in vogue nowadays. Installations and artworks spread in cities and events with the artists bring a fresh perspective on art in general.
The Bourse de Commerce motivates young people to visit the exhibition with a membership (the Super Cercle) for those under 27, which allows free entrance after 4 pm. Even after a long day at work, the exhibition ‘Arte Povera’ entices young people to visit it until 7 pm.
Art never slips away; it stays within us, especially when we connect to it. Trendy or not, modern art movements continue to interest young generations.
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