Art provocateur Maurizio Cattelan sells off a slice of history in New York

New York gallery Venus Over Manhattan has created a suspenseful environment to present Maurizio Cattelan's latest show 'Cosa Nostra', conceived in direct response to his last major outing in 2011
(Image credit: Maurizio Cattelan)

Despite his much-publicised retirement in 2012, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has far from disappeared. There are several quirky collaborations on the go, like the artzine ToiletPaper, created with photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari. And now the provocateur is back in the gallery spotlight, thanks to 'Cosa Nostra', a selling show of the artist's work newly opened in New York. Displayed at two locations - the Upper East Side galleries Venus Over Manhattan and Sotheby's S|2 - the works were gathered from private collections, with prices expected to start at $30,000 and soar to $2 million.

Touted as the largest and most comprehensive showing of the artist's work since his Guggenheim retrospective in 2011, 'Cosa Nostra' showcases many of Cattelan's most memorable pieces. There are animal-centric creations, like the 'Untitled' sitting cow with motorcross handles for horns, and the Italian pavilion-inspired 'Turisti' (1997), which sees taxidermy pigeons scattered throughout the gallery. The more scandalous sculptures pose likenesses of JFK, Hitler and the Pope in all sorts of controversial situations. Both venues offer a rare chance to catch Cattelan's famous works in the flesh.

Venus Over Manhattan has created a suspenseful environment inspired by Marcel Duchamp's 'Door, 11 rue Larrey' to present its pieces. The space is split into seven rooms, with dark-painted walls creating mysterious chambers, each containing a single piece. The works are visible through portholes, windows and keyholes set within different wooden doors, heightening the sense of drama already palpable in the works. By contrast the collection at S|2 is presented in a room lined with mirrors that magnify the twisted, surreal nature of Cattelan's oeuvre.

To cap things off, visitors can see the trailer for the documentary Maurizio Cattelan: The Movie, 15 years in the making. Directed by Maura Axelrod, who has been filming Cattelan since 2000, the intimate portrait of the artist features interviews with close family and friends and exclusive archival footage - and sheds light on the personal origins of Cattelan's many themes. The film is scheduled for release in the summer of 2015.

The space is split into seven rooms, with dark-painted walls

The space is split into seven rooms, with dark-painted walls creating mysterious chambers, each containing a single piece. Pictured is 'Now', 2004

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

The works are visible through portholes, windows and keyholes

The works are visible through portholes, windows and keyholes set within different wooden doors, heightening the sense of drama already palpable in the works

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

'Frank and Jamie', 2002

'Frank and Jamie', 2002

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

'Jean-Pierre', 1999

'Jean-Pierre', 1999

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

surreal nature of Cattelan's oeuvre

By contrast the collection at Sotheby's S|2 gallery is presented in a room lined with mirrors that magnify the twisted, surreal nature of Cattelan's oeuvre

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

There are animal-centric creations, like the 'Untitled' sitting cow

There are animal-centric creations, like the 'Untitled' sitting cow (pictured) with motorcross handles for horns, and the Italian pavilion-inspired 'Turisti' (1997), which sees taxidermy pigeons scattered throughout the gallery

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

Touted as the largest and most comprehensive showing of the artist's work

Touted as the largest and most comprehensive showing of the artist's work since his Guggenheim retrospective in 2011, 'Cosa Nostra' showcases many of Cattelan's most memorable pieces such as 'Untitled', 2007 (left) and 'Ave Maria', 2007 (right)

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

'Hollywood', 2001 (background) and 'La Nona Ora', 2003

'Hollywood', 2001 (background) and 'La Nona Ora', 2003 (on table in foreground)

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

Both venues offer a rare chance to catch Cattelan

Both venues offer a rare chance to catch Cattelan's famous works in the flesh

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

the upcoming documentary Maurizio Cattelan:

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Watch the trailer for the upcoming documentary: The Movie, an intimate portrait of the artist features interviews with close family and friends and exclusive archival footage

(Image credit: maurizio cattelan)

ADDRESS

Venus Over Manhattan
980 Madison Avenue
3rd Floor
New York

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Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.