Milan: Fondazione Prada: John Baldessari’s The Giacometti Variations. At the Fondazione Prada, The Giacometti Variations, is an original project by John Baldessari curated by Germano Celant and is on show until December 26th. The installation was conceived specifically for the exhibition spaces of the Fondazione and consists of nine sculptures made of resin and steel and sprayed with bronze, each 4.5 meters tall. Inspired by the imagery of the Swiss sculptor, the huge, oversized female figures take the slender, emaciated character of their bodies to an extreme: a vision of a monumental mannequin. Arranged in a row between the space’s columns and under its arches, the figures, as a whole, in their stasis and linearity, recall a snapshot of a fashion show. Taking their cue from La Petite Danseuse De Quatorze Ans (1879-1881) by Edgar Degas, the original bronze of which featured a cloth bodice and a tutu of white tulle, every figure of “The Giacometti Variations” is dressed in garments and objects designed by Baldessari himself.
Photograph by Sidney B. Felsen
Courtesy of Fondazione Prada
Courtesy of Fondazione Prada
“I always wanted to do tall paintings and sculptures. I suspect it’s because I’m quite tall.” John Baldessari.
Patrizio Bertelli
Paris and Germano Celant, curator of the exhibition
Claudio Loria with Wait and See's...
Uberta Zambeletti
Marina Prada and Astrid Welter
Juanita Sabbadini and Laura Garbarino
Francesco Vezzoli
Claudio Guenzani and Marisa Lombardi
“ Giacometti figures are the most skinny and emaciated sculpture that exist. Why not push that further?”
Brian Phillips and Verde Visconti
Elise and Simon Brasca
"Rock and Roll" guitar quilting on a bag designed by Elise Brasca for Gianlisa
Marta Citacov and Benedetta Pignatelli
Enrico Astori, Gabbriele Maria Gallo, Maria Mulas and Francesco Bolis
Carlo Tivioli and Mirella Haggiag
Barbara Radice, Stefano Boeri and Michela Sessa Raggi
Nina Yashar and Giancarlo Montebello
Pas Leccese and Philomene Magers
Giordana Ravizza with baby Matilda and Renato Preti
“…Also there is currently a blurring of art and fashion. Furthermore it is au courant, almost de rigueur that fashion models be extremely tall and thin.
Why not fuse the two – art and fashion – since that idea is our zeitgeist?”
Why not fuse the two – art and fashion – since that idea is our zeitgeist?”