Coal Sculpture with Wall of Coloured Glass 1990 - 2005

Editor: This imposing piece by Jannis Kounellis, called "Coal Sculpture with Wall of Coloured Glass," is a large installation that’s almost architectural in scale. The juxtaposition of rough coal and smooth glass creates a striking contrast. What do you see as the significance of these materials? Curator: The layering of coal and glass evokes historical memory, doesn't it? Coal, a symbol of industry and labor, contrasts sharply with the colorful glass, which represents transformation, even transcendence. Consider how Kounellis layers these symbols, inviting us to contemplate the weight of history and the possibility of renewal. Editor: So, the glass isn't just about aesthetics, but also about hope? Curator: Precisely. The glass, hanging almost like a curtain, veils and reveals, creating a liminal space between past and future. It is as if Kounellis asks: can we transform the burden of the past into something beautiful, something hopeful? Editor: I never thought about the glass that way. It adds a whole new layer of interpretation. Curator: Indeed. Kounellis consistently challenges our perceptions of familiar materials, prompting us to find deeper meaning.