Roses 1998

Jannis Kounellis made *Roses* from what appears to be rolled-up garments and an iron support. Kounellis was a key figure in the Arte Povera movement, which literally translates to 'poor art,' and he typically favored humble, everyday materials. The material is of great significance here. Textiles are so closely associated with labor, and with the body. The act of tightly rolling the textiles transforms them into rose-like forms, a poignant contrast between the industrial and the organic, the hard and the soft. The effect draws attention to the work involved in production, while also suggesting themes of consumption and waste. Kounellis’s processes challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, as he elevates everyday materials to the status of art. By doing so, he encourages us to reconsider the value we place on different kinds of making and to appreciate the inherent beauty and significance of the materials all around us.