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 creating mysterious chambers, each containing a single piece. Pictured is 'Now', 2004
The works are visible through portholes, windows and keyholes set within different wooden doors, heightening the sense of drama already palpable in the works
'Frank and Jamie', 2002
'Jean-Pierre', 1999
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
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
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)
'Hollywood', 2001 (background) and 'La Nona Ora', 2003 (on table in foreground)
Both venues offer a rare chance to catch Cattelan's famous works in the flesh
3876498296001
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
ADDRESS
Venus Over Manhattan
980 Madison Avenue
3rd Floor
New York
-
London’s smash burger obsession goes haute with Supernova MayfairNew York designer Sarita Posada taps into 1970s nostalgia and cinematic restraint for the group’s third outpost in the British capital
-
Ten things to see and do at Art Basel Paris 2025Art Basel Paris takes over the city from 24-26 October. Here are the highlights, from Elmgreen & Dragset to Barbara Kruger and Dash Snow
-
Juergen Teller’s retrospective is sharp, smart and mischievous in AthensVictoria Beckham, the Pope, and nudes in the sand feature among the German photographer’s images in ‘you are invited’ at Onassis Ready, the latest arts space from the Onassis Foundation
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekAs we approach Frieze, our editors have been trawling the capital's galleries. Elsewhere: a 'Wineglass' marathon, a must-see film, and a visit to a science museum
-
June Leaf’s New York survey captures a life in motionJune Leaf made art in many forms for over seven decades, with an unstoppable energy and fierce appetite leading her to rationalise life in her own terms.
-
Jamel Shabazz’s photographs are a love letter to Prospect ParkIn a new book, ‘Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025’, Jamel Shabazz discovers a warmer side of human nature
-
The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles launches the seventh iteration of its highly anticipated artist biennialOne of the gallery's flagship exhibitions, Made in LA showcases the breadth and depth of the city's contemporary art scene
-
Inside a Courtney Love-inspired art exhibition in New YorkLiza Jo Eilers looks to the glory days of Hole at an exhibition at Grimm New York
-
Thomas Prior’s photography captures the uncanny fragility of American lifeA new book unites two decades of the photographer’s piercing, uneasy work
-
Apple unveils its next-gen camera in a powerful new photography exhibitionThe new iPhone 17 Pro Max takes centre stage in a New York exhibition where artists Inez & Vinoodh, Mickalene Thomas, and Trunk Xu explore the theme of joy
-
Central Park’s revitalised Delacorte Theater gears up for a new futureEnnead Architects helmed an ambitious renovation process that has given the New York City cultural landmark a vibrant and more accessible future
