From New York with L.O.V.E.

All, the temporary exhibition of the Venetian artist Maurizio Cattelan at the Guggenheim Museum of New York, recently drew to a close.

As the title suggests, the exhibition consisted of Cattelan’s entire body of work since 1989, which was hung from the ceiling of the New York museum. It is said that this event was the last to be dedicated to the Italian artist before his retirement from the art scene (could this be true?).

An interesting fact: the image chosen for the exhibition poster was L.O.V.E., the same sculpture of a middle finger which had been displayed in front of the Milan Stock Exchange and had caused so much controversy in Italy. Scandalous or genius? The debate, as we know, is still wide open. Maybe this is precisely the purpose of art (especially of contemporary art): to stimulate opposing emotions, however strong.

I’ll end with a thought: while I’m pleased, as an Italian, that Cattelan has achieved so much visibility, as a modern art enthusiast I think it is regrettable there are many other equally talented Italian artists whom the “system” continues to ignore.