Maker/Artist
Kounellis, Jannis
Greek-born Italian sculptor, performance artist, and painter, 1936-2017
Associated with Arte Povera; he participated in the "Arte povera-Im spazio" exhibition in Genoa in 1967. His work often involved the juxtaposition of objects, materials, and actions antithetical to one another; geometric metal shapes are contrasted with such materials as cotton, earth, plants and animals. Elements are often chosen for their smell, tactile qualities, and symbolic associations. Language and text have also played key roles. His work employed elements such as painting and collage mixed with created 'environments' and performance.
