Essere vento (To Be Wind)
2014
Petrified tree, natural grain of sand and sculpted grain of sand
123 × 60 cm (48 7/16 × 23 5/8 in.)
The print of Giuseppe Penone's right hand holding two perfectly identical grains of sand is on a petrified tree trunk. But the similarity is unnatural: each grain has a unique shape. Duplicated, the grain of sand seems to materialise human beings’ impact on nature.
Penone, using a wide range of materials, focuses on natural phenomena. The Italian artist considers the tree, a key element in his work, "the simplest, most original idea of vitality, culture and sculpture”. In Essere Vento, he is interested in "the identity of a grain of sand carved by the wind; the identity of each breath of wind imprinted on the countless number of grains of sand, a number physically incalculable by man.”
Essere Vento was exhibited for the first time by the Pinault Collection during the “Reliquaries” (“Reliquaries”) show at the Laennec Hospital Chapel in Paris (2018).
Penone, using a wide range of materials, focuses on natural phenomena. The Italian artist considers the tree, a key element in his work, "the simplest, most original idea of vitality, culture and sculpture”. In Essere Vento, he is interested in "the identity of a grain of sand carved by the wind; the identity of each breath of wind imprinted on the countless number of grains of sand, a number physically incalculable by man.”
Essere Vento was exhibited for the first time by the Pinault Collection during the “Reliquaries” (“Reliquaries”) show at the Laennec Hospital Chapel in Paris (2018).
Exhibitions
Giuseppe PENONE © Adagp, Paris.
Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery
Giuseppe PENONE © Adagp, Paris.
Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery
Giuseppe PENONE © Adagp, Paris.
Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery
