[EN] Maurizio Cattelan: Fearless in Love – A Retrospective

Poster for Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love” at the Monnaie de Paris.

Maurizio Cattelan, Lessico Familiare (Family Lexicon), 1988. Black and white photograph in a gold frame. 19.7 x 15.2 cm.

novecento, 1997. Horse—installation. 196 x 192 x 55 cm. Taxidermied horse, leather saddle, rope, pulley.

novecento, 1997. Horse—installation. 196 x 192 x 55 cm. Taxidermied horse, leather saddle, rope, pulley.

Untitled, 2007. Silicone resin, natural hair, wooden crate, wrapping fabric, screws. 240 x 140 x 70 cm.

Untitled, 2007. Silicone resin, natural hair, wooden crate, wrapping fabric, screws. 240 x 140 x 70 cm.

Untitled, 2003. Polyester resin, synthetic hair, clothing, shoes, electronics, drum. 80 x 85 x 56 cm.

La Nona Ora, 1999. Polyester, resin, silicone, rubber, pigment, natural hair, fabric, clothes, props, stone, carpet. Dimensions variable.

Untitled (Gerard), 1999. Plastic mannequin, clothing, shoes. 82 x 66 x 97 cm.

Autobiographical work, Others 2011 Pigeons - Mini-Me, 1999. Resins, gum, synthetic hair, paint, clothing. 45 x 20 x 23 cm.

Autobiographical work, Untitled, 2001. Polyester resin, wax, pigments, natural hair, clothing. 150 x 60 x 40 cm.

Charlie Don’t Surf, 1997. Mannequin, school table and chair, clothing, paint, shoes, pencils. 112 x 71 x 70 cm.

Charlie Don’t Surf, detail, 1997. Mannequin, school table and chair, clothing, paint, shoes, pencils. 112 x 71 x 70 cm.

One of Maurizio Cattelan’s most tender works, Untitled, 2007.

All, 2007. Nine sculptures in total, each approximately 30 x 100 x 200 cm. Marble.

Autobiographical work, We, 2010. Polyester resin, polyurethane, paint, human hair, clothing, wood. 68 x 148 x 78.7 cm.

Autobiographical work, Untitled, 2000. Resin, wax, polyester, pigment, natural hair, clothing. 140 x 45 x 60 cm.

Untitled, 2007. Horse—installation. 300 x 170 x 80 cm.

Untitled, 2007. Horse—installation. 300 x 170 x 80 cm.

Front: Double Portrait, 2000. Resin, wax, polyester, pigment, natural hair, clothing. 140 x 45 x 60 cm. Back: Untitled, 2007. Horse—installation. 300 x 170 x 80 cm.

Him, 2001. Polyester resin, wax, pigments, human hair, clothing. 101 x 41 x 53 cm.

Him, 2001. Polyester resin, wax, pigments, human hair, clothing. 101 x 41 x 53 cm.

Him, 2001. Polyester resin, wax, pigments, human hair, clothing. 101 x 41 x 53 cm.

Him, detail, 2001. Polyester resin, wax, pigments, human hair, clothing. 101 x 41 x 53 cm.

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Site view of Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition “Fearless in the Face of Love.”

Text and images by Chen Chi-hsiang. Location: Monnaie de Paris. Dates: October 2016 – August 1, 2017.

Maurizio Cattelan (born 1960) is today one of the most prominent, elusive, and controversial Italian artists (though he does not necessarily identify himself as an artist), and undoubtedly a darling of the contemporary art market. His dramatic vocabulary, characterized by biting satire, rich imagination filled with black humor, mockery, and irony, creates visually shocking imagery that has also established his reputation through environmental spatial installations. Before turning to artistic creation, he held various jobs—including cleaner, morgue attendant, carpenter, and florist assistant—which expanded his perspective on existence and life experience. While crafting wooden furniture, he discovered the pleasure of sculptural art. Cattelan seized this opportunity to open a new artistic world, embarking on a path of artistic creation. As an outsider to orthodox art academies, he possesses a more ample macro-perspective, keenly observing and sharply criticizing the contemporary world. Adopting an observant stance toward mass issues—ranging from religion, politics, culture, to media phenomena—he subverts conventional social concepts, shocks the heart, and challenges people’s senses and consciousness, confronting various problems inherent in human existence.

This small retrospective exhibition of Maurizio Cattelan in Paris is titled “Fearless in the Face of Love.” This theme derives from a humorous work he created around the millennium: draping a giant elephant with a white cloth, covering its body but leaving only the trunk and two eyes exposed. Through the appropriation and transformation of ready-made objects, it becomes a mysterious entity. “Fearless in the Face of Love” seems to point to a cry of hope, embracing the unknown and resisting the fear (or paralysis) that traps humanity. Indeed, the greatest energy existing in the universe is “love.” In today’s rapidly changing globalization and consumer society, what cannot be bought with money is precisely “love.” Love is not charity; it is a natural expression of humanity arising from deep consciousness. Love soothes the heart and comforts society. Do not be afraid of love; only the inclusiveness and openness of “love” can lead humanity toward a peaceful world.

The artist states: “Humor is a form of communication, a way to overcome barriers of shyness. It is a smoke signal that allows the transmission of an important message; if I were to express myself literally, the effect would be diminished. Irony often hides a momentary drama.” “The art we see today is through pictures and reproductions. Ultimately, locating a piece of work is irrelevant; sooner or later, that object will become interesting in our minds. I am more interested in psychological imagery and in recalling those established places through the works.” (Note)

Note: Refer to the exhibition brochure for Maurizio Cattelan’s retrospective “Fearless in the Face of Love” at the Monnaie de Paris.