Robilant+Voena are pleased to take part in miart 2016 where they will be presenting a curated selection of works by Gianni Colombo (1937-1993) along with a variety of Modern Italian Art. In addition, the artwork La Moda (Fashion) by Antonio Puccinelli (1822-1897) is shown to the public as a tribute to Milan, the city of fashion.

One of the most influential Italian artists of his generation, Gianni Colombo was a pioneer and leading figure of the kinetic art movement. Many of his works anticipate movements such as Arte Povera, Minimalism and Conceptual Art. His practice, through performativity and audience participation, aims at overcoming the traditional notion of art as an object to contemplate, in favour of direct engagement and physical interaction with the viewer.

Robilant+Voena’s miart stand will include works executed by the artist between 1960s and 1980s. On display will be a selection of works that attest the kinetic concerns of Colombo’s earlier practice such as Strutturazione Fluida (1960-1961) and specific focus will be given to works belonging to the Spazio Elastico Cycle which investigate the physicality of our relationship with space. This presentation follows on from the extensive exhibition GIANNI COLOMBO The Body and the Space 1959-1980 which was held in October 2015 at ROBILANT+VOENA in London. Featuring over 30 pieces, this was the first solo exhibition by the artist in the UK.

Highly celebrated Italian painter Antonio Puccinelli is typically renowned for his portraits and for being one of the greatest precursors of the ‘Piuttura di Macchia’ (Macchiaioli). La Moda represents a rare and fine example amongst Puccinelli’s artistic output. The painting depicts a scene of modern urban life and shows a solid compositional structure accompanied by quick, smooth and vibrant brushstroke producing an effect that it is almost sketchy and anticipates specific light and chromatic studies that are typical of Macchiaioli paintings.

In addition to these influential works, Robilant+Voena will show a selection of Modern Italian art produced between 1960s and 1980s. Agostino Bonalumi Blu (1972) will be presented along with two works by Enrico Castellani, further to a stunning canvas of embroidered coloured letters by Alighiero Boetti (1988). Three emblematic works by Lucio Fontana realised between 1967 and 1978 and belonging to the Concetto Spaziale series will also be presented along with works by artists as diverse as Gino De Domincis, Emilio Scanavino and Alberto Biasi, to name a few.