Decorate – In a minimal way…

Like the idea of decoration, but hate the idea of lots of ‘stuff’ ?  then you probably are inspired in many ways by the minimalist movement in Art although it spans almost every area of creativity.  Whilst looking at it from an art perspective which started in post war american and grew to its zenith in the 1960 we can mention such names as Donald Judd, Dan Flavin and Frank Stella to name but a few or if you are talking music think  Philip Glass or Steve Reich.

Nazar – Gavin Turk

In art in the 60s minimalist movement, was very much developed as a reaction to the Abstract Expressionism in vogue in those years. Around the same time, the term Arte Povera was coined by the art critic Germano Celant, literally meaning “poor art”, because of its use of everyday or “poor” materials.

However the production process is very different in both movements. Minimalism favours industrial manufacturing while Arte Povera assembles daily objects, both following a rigorous intellectual process and aiming for a basic, and perhaps spiritual, presentation of ideas.

Box 6 – Lorenzo Belenguer

Contemporary Minimalism is a fusion of many movements. Nowadays artists feel free from the corset of manifestos from the last century and pick and choose as they wish. A selection of six artists demonstrates that Minimalism can also be presented as art in movement, or kinetically, in the contribution of Gavin Turk; as photojournalism of an island destroyed after the recent war in the Balkans; as Surrealism with basic colouring. Or just as an artwork where the terms Minimalism and Arte Povera can be interchanged.

Le Dame Art Gallery is pleased to present New York / Rome Minimalism/Arte Povera curated by Lorenzo Belenguer. It is an invitation to explore the strong links between Rome and New York in the 60s as a starting point, how they influenced each other and how prevalent they are today in Contemporary Art. The influential YBA, Gavin Turk, leads a selection of six artists from Britain, Israel, Spain and Croatia to demonstrate that both movements are still very current in art making today.

If you have always been drawn to minimal art or even art utilising regular daily objects then this is the exhibition for you. A wonderful bringing together of ideas that counter-balance each other that are presented in a fresh and dynamic way.  This allows for a new outlook and a mind opening experience.  Once inspired (as any good, well put together exhibition should do) why go explore some minimal music, architecture and even literature thus putting this important movement in a wider context, one obviously that is still relevant and exciting to creators today.

Lingus White Close Up – Ayelet Amrani Navon

Lorenzo Belenguer, the curator and one of the exhibiting artists, says: “The 60s produced some of the most innovative movements in Art History and I find Minimalism and Arte Povera rather unique. Based in two different cities in two different continents, a strong dialogue between both took place. I would like to present this show as a starting point of future projects with works by Serra, Judd, Flavin, Pistoletto, Andre, Penone, Merz, Kounellis, etc, shown alongside contemporary artists such as the ones introduced in this exhibition. A dialogue in the making.”

Lastly if you love what Lorenzo has curated for this exhibition why not read an exclusive article he has put together for Cent here

The artists in the exhibition include:-

Gavin Turk, Ayelet Amrani Navon, Vanya Balogh, Lorenzo Belenguer, Cedric Christie and Eva Raboso.

 New York / Rome can be seen at  Le Dame Gallery at White Melia Hotel, Albany Street, Regent’s Park, London NW1 3UP

Opening times Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm – Saturday from 12 noon to 6pm. Sunday by appointment only www.ledameartgallery.com