The Prada Foundation opened with John Baldessarri, Leone d'oro at the 53rd Biennale of Venice, an extraordinary project of art and fashion, entitled The Giacometti Variations. It is about a series of monumental figures, around 4,5 metres high, which propose the figures of the Swiss sculptor, dressed up and accessorized with objects and dresses, designed by the American artist. The result is an imaginary parade.
Baldessarri explained: “I’ve always wanted to do tall paintings and sculptures. I suspect it’s because I am quite tall. I’ve had little opportunity since most galleries have wall heights that mirror the wall heights of collector’s homes. A few years ago, I was invited to show in Haus Der Kunst, Munich. Since the entrance hall is extremely tall, I began thinking about tall work I could do there to capture the space.
One of my ideas was the idea that I have proposed to the Prada Foundation. My plan is to elongate standing Giacometti sculptures and clothe them with garments. To extend an extreme existing idea to it’s logical conclusion has been a working method for me. Giacometti figures are the most skinny and emaciated sculpture that exist. Why not push that further? Also there currently is a blurring of art and fashion. Furthermore it is au courant, almost de rigueur that fashion model be extremely tall and thin. Why not fuse the two- art and fashion since that idea is in our zeitgeist? I’m sure I was also inspired by the Degas Ballerina sculptures clothed with real tutus.
The finished work would be the row of columns (at the foundation building) alternating with clothed attenuated pseudo Giacometti figures. Is this parody? I’m not sure. I hate categories and definitions- I certainly am borrowing. Isn’t this what artists do? Doesn’t art arise from art? What I am doing is furthering an idea- that is the requirement of any good art.” (December 2009).
The variation evoked in the title is not only connected to the transformation which characterized the work of Giacometti. The décors projected by Baldessari will be modified two more times during the exhibition, which can be visited till December 20th. On November 15th and December 7th, the artist will change the look of his statues, creating 18 variations.
