In 1993 Pistoletto embarked upon a new phase of work that developed along two lines, both already mapped out in One Hundred Exhibitions in the Month of October (1976): the making of a series of works by the artist and the invitation to others to create their own Art Sign. Pistoletto’s Art Sign is a figure formed by the intersection of two triangles representing a human body, its arms raised and legs spread. With this form, used principally in a basic module measuring 210 x 120 x 60 cm, the greatest extension of the artist’s body, Pistoletto created many works in different materials, such as doors, windows, garbage cans, etc. There are also examples of Art Signs created by other artists, such as a permanent sculpture made in 1997 and located in Krems, composed of light panels, each of which contains the Art Sign designed by a local resident artist.
The new work realised for this Biennial is composed of eight elements, each one an Art Sign door. Each one is set in a circular space which can be accessed by the public. The side of the door facing the center is covered by a mirror, while on the other side are written the words “Love Difference” in eight different languages. The other seven doors are located in other BIENALSUR exhibition spaces, creating a connection of ideas.
“Normally, tradition imposes the same sign on everything, be it a religious sign, a political sign, an advertising emblem, or a product brand. Signs invade our world, but only artists have created personal signs. Now it is time for others, too, to take responsibility for themselves... Everyone with a sign of their own has the key to the door which open onto art, a door that leads to a reserved, intimate, personal space as well as to the space where social meetings take place.”
(Michelangelo Pistoletto, in The Mirror’s Door, Sarajevo 2001).
Artist: Michelangelo Pistoletto (ITA)
Visits: Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 am to 5 pm.
Reservations: embajadadeitalia@bienalsur.org
