Untitled 1969

Editor: Here we have an untitled mixed media construction from 1969 by Jannis Kounellis. It looks like a stone wall fitted into a doorway within the gallery space. I find it… unexpectedly comforting. What draws your eye, what do you see in this work? Curator: A stone wall evokes centuries of building, defense, shelter. This resonates deeply. What does the symbol of the wall represent to you in this gallery context, divorced from a functional landscape? Walls can protect or confine, delineate territory, create separations and connections. The triangle stones feel very deliberate, as if hinting at ancient knowledge. Do these regular, repeated shapes suggest a hidden order, perhaps? Editor: I think it's fascinating you see order, since the stones are rough, varied in size. But yes, the shapes echo and repeat… like nature itself! It reminds me of Arte Povera, but where does the 'poor art' element really come in? Curator: "Arte Povera" indeed aimed to strip away artifice, to expose the raw, elemental nature of materials. In the late 60’s, think of it as a rebellious act, questioning value and commodity within the art world. Each stone carries the weight of its geological past, its journey shaped by time and the elements. Look at how Kounellis contrasts it with the gallery's clean, modern lines; what does that evoke for you? Editor: A real contrast! It feels almost subversive. This man-made wall disrupts the expectations of a pristine, white-box space, forcing a dialogue between nature and culture. I initially just saw comfort in its familiar shape, but it's more layered than that. Curator: Precisely. It's a testament to the power of everyday materials, reminding us of the symbolic and historical narratives embedded within seemingly simple forms. These resonate over long spans of cultural time. I learn something each time I see such work anew! Editor: Me too, especially by slowing down and really considering those layers. Thanks so much.