textual records
AP207.S5.030
Description:
Contains press clippings on Gianni Pettena and his projects, correspondence, press releases for Pettena's exhibition or exhibition on Pettena's work, promotional material of events related to Pettena's work and Pettena's interests, and agreement for publication. First binder of two.
2008-2009
Binder of professional papers, 2008-2009
Actions:
AP207.S5.030
Description:
Contains press clippings on Gianni Pettena and his projects, correspondence, press releases for Pettena's exhibition or exhibition on Pettena's work, promotional material of events related to Pettena's work and Pettena's interests, and agreement for publication. First binder of two.
textual records
2008-2009
Project
Dreaming Architecture (2016)
AP207.S1.2016.PR01
Description:
The project series documents "Dreaming Architecture", a digitally created performance by Pettena in 2016. The performance consists of a photograph of a long baroque art gallery. Added to the photograph is an image of Pettena seated with legs crossed draped in a robe. Pettena appears to be floating in the middle of room. The project is a reference to "Il Mestiere Dell'Architetto" (2002) that represents the difficulties and possible impasses in architecture. However here "the symbolic interpretation of architecture is here ideally transformed by overcoming, in the dream, the difficulties and restrictions of choices and paths, as well as the risks of mistakes and downfalls." [1] The project series contains a photograph of the performance. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/perf-dreaming-architecture-2016-1/ (last accessed 28 January 2020)
circa 2016
Dreaming Architecture (2016)
Actions:
AP207.S1.2016.PR01
Description:
The project series documents "Dreaming Architecture", a digitally created performance by Pettena in 2016. The performance consists of a photograph of a long baroque art gallery. Added to the photograph is an image of Pettena seated with legs crossed draped in a robe. Pettena appears to be floating in the middle of room. The project is a reference to "Il Mestiere Dell'Architetto" (2002) that represents the difficulties and possible impasses in architecture. However here "the symbolic interpretation of architecture is here ideally transformed by overcoming, in the dream, the difficulties and restrictions of choices and paths, as well as the risks of mistakes and downfalls." [1] The project series contains a photograph of the performance. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/perf-dreaming-architecture-2016-1/ (last accessed 28 January 2020)
Project
circa 2016
Project
AP207.S1.2017.PR01
Description:
The project series documents the installation "Levitazione" designed by Pettena and presented at the Fattoria Montellori in Fucecchio near Florence, in 2017. The installation used the existing wooden roof structure of the exhibition space to hang wood beams from it giving the impression of tree trunks with roots. For Pettena, the installation is "a story telling about the wish for a synthesis in the relationship between nature and artifice as well as between emotion and reason, between project strategies and laws of nature." [1] The project series contains sketches, drawings and two photographs of the installation. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/nat-levitation-2017/ (last accessed 28 January 2020)
circa 2017
Levitazione [Levitation] (2017)
Actions:
AP207.S1.2017.PR01
Description:
The project series documents the installation "Levitazione" designed by Pettena and presented at the Fattoria Montellori in Fucecchio near Florence, in 2017. The installation used the existing wooden roof structure of the exhibition space to hang wood beams from it giving the impression of tree trunks with roots. For Pettena, the installation is "a story telling about the wish for a synthesis in the relationship between nature and artifice as well as between emotion and reason, between project strategies and laws of nature." [1] The project series contains sketches, drawings and two photographs of the installation. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/nat-levitation-2017/ (last accessed 28 January 2020)
Project
circa 2017
Project
AP207.S1.1971.PR08
Description:
The project series documents "Situazioni Competitive." The project series contains a reprographic copy by Pettena, as well as two scans of the drawing, and project descriptions in English and in Italian. "The irony shown by the title, that perhaps doesn’t refer only to the field of architecture, is obtained by means of a drawing that purposely divides the space in a meticulous way, an exact and perfect ‘architecture’ whose meaning (if any) is elsewhere." [1] Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/arch-competitive-situations-1971/ (last accessed 11 November 2019)
circa 1971-2015
Situazioni Competitive [Competitive Situation] (1971)
Actions:
AP207.S1.1971.PR08
Description:
The project series documents "Situazioni Competitive." The project series contains a reprographic copy by Pettena, as well as two scans of the drawing, and project descriptions in English and in Italian. "The irony shown by the title, that perhaps doesn’t refer only to the field of architecture, is obtained by means of a drawing that purposely divides the space in a meticulous way, an exact and perfect ‘architecture’ whose meaning (if any) is elsewhere." [1] Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/arch-competitive-situations-1971/ (last accessed 11 November 2019)
Project
circa 1971-2015
Project
AP207.S1.1970.PR02
Description:
This project series documents Pettena's installation "Paper/Midwestern Ocean" initially presented in 1971 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The installation consists of strips of paper hanging from strings that fill the entire room. Participants are invited to cut their way into the room with a pair of scissors and all join together in the centre of the room to create an open space. The participants then all gather in the central space where Pettena gives a lecture while the audience sits on the piles of cut paper covering the floor. This installation was also presented in seven other editions from 2009 to 2017, including in the exhibition "The Death of the Audience" in Vienna; Secession in 2009; in the exhibition "Erre. Variations Labyrinthiques" at the Centre Pompidou in Metz in 2011-2012; and in the exhibition "Architetture Naturali/Gianni Pettena" at Kunst Meran in 2017. The project series contains a drawing, photographs of the first edition of the installation at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and photographs of the five following editions from 2009 to 2013. Source: Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-paper-midwestern-1971-1/ (last accessed 4 November 2019)
circa 1970-2015
Paper/Midwestern Ocean (1970)
Actions:
AP207.S1.1970.PR02
Description:
This project series documents Pettena's installation "Paper/Midwestern Ocean" initially presented in 1971 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The installation consists of strips of paper hanging from strings that fill the entire room. Participants are invited to cut their way into the room with a pair of scissors and all join together in the centre of the room to create an open space. The participants then all gather in the central space where Pettena gives a lecture while the audience sits on the piles of cut paper covering the floor. This installation was also presented in seven other editions from 2009 to 2017, including in the exhibition "The Death of the Audience" in Vienna; Secession in 2009; in the exhibition "Erre. Variations Labyrinthiques" at the Centre Pompidou in Metz in 2011-2012; and in the exhibition "Architetture Naturali/Gianni Pettena" at Kunst Meran in 2017. The project series contains a drawing, photographs of the first edition of the installation at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and photographs of the five following editions from 2009 to 2013. Source: Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-paper-midwestern-1971-1/ (last accessed 4 November 2019)
Project
circa 1970-2015
Project
Atta Unsar (1973)
AP207.S1.1973.PR05
Description:
The project series documents "Atta Unsar", an installation consisting of the text of the Lord's Prayer, in Old High German, written on the top of the wall around the perimeter of an empty dimly-lit room. The installation was initially presented at the Galleria Schema in Florence in 1973. It represents an " 'imposed education' still recalled even after decades." [1] The installation was also presented in the exhibition "About non conscious architecture" at the Galleria Giovanni Bonelli in Milan, in 2017, and in the exhibition "Architecture Naturali/Gianni Pettena" at the Kunst Meran in Meran, also in 2017. The project series contains installation views at the Galleria Schema in Florence, five drawings showing the evolution of the installation design, and correspondence about the project. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-empty-space-2008/ (last accessed 12 November 2019).
1973-2015
Atta Unsar (1973)
Actions:
AP207.S1.1973.PR05
Description:
The project series documents "Atta Unsar", an installation consisting of the text of the Lord's Prayer, in Old High German, written on the top of the wall around the perimeter of an empty dimly-lit room. The installation was initially presented at the Galleria Schema in Florence in 1973. It represents an " 'imposed education' still recalled even after decades." [1] The installation was also presented in the exhibition "About non conscious architecture" at the Galleria Giovanni Bonelli in Milan, in 2017, and in the exhibition "Architecture Naturali/Gianni Pettena" at the Kunst Meran in Meran, also in 2017. The project series contains installation views at the Galleria Schema in Florence, five drawings showing the evolution of the installation design, and correspondence about the project. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-empty-space-2008/ (last accessed 12 November 2019).
Project
1973-2015
Project
AP207.S1.2012.PR04
Description:
The project series documents "Breathing Architecture," an installation initially presented at the Galleria Federico Luger in Milan, in 2012. The installation consists of a square shaped sheet of plaster placed on a wall giving the impression that a portion of the gallery wall has been lifted to create an opening in order to allow it to breathe. This installation has similarities to Pettena's earlier project "Grass Architecture" for Trigon '72 and "Parete "Branchia"" in 1999. "[...] here the work, which on this occasion takes up the whole of a wall all by itself, has more the significance of a gesture, of a sculpture that retains memories of architecture, and at the same time of the school of conceptual art in which Pettena was also formed." [1] This installation was also later presented at the UMOCA in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2013, and at the exhibition "Architetture Naturali/Gianni Pettena" at the Kunst Meran/Merano Arte, in Meran, in 2017. The project series contains photographs of the first and the second editions of the installation and a drawing. It also contains photographs of the 2017 edition that also shows Pettena's other installation "Paper/Midwestern Ocean" presented in the same exhibition. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-breathing-architecture-2012-1/ (last accessed 27 January 2020)
2012-2015
Breathing Architecture (2012)
Actions:
AP207.S1.2012.PR04
Description:
The project series documents "Breathing Architecture," an installation initially presented at the Galleria Federico Luger in Milan, in 2012. The installation consists of a square shaped sheet of plaster placed on a wall giving the impression that a portion of the gallery wall has been lifted to create an opening in order to allow it to breathe. This installation has similarities to Pettena's earlier project "Grass Architecture" for Trigon '72 and "Parete "Branchia"" in 1999. "[...] here the work, which on this occasion takes up the whole of a wall all by itself, has more the significance of a gesture, of a sculpture that retains memories of architecture, and at the same time of the school of conceptual art in which Pettena was also formed." [1] This installation was also later presented at the UMOCA in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2013, and at the exhibition "Architetture Naturali/Gianni Pettena" at the Kunst Meran/Merano Arte, in Meran, in 2017. The project series contains photographs of the first and the second editions of the installation and a drawing. It also contains photographs of the 2017 edition that also shows Pettena's other installation "Paper/Midwestern Ocean" presented in the same exhibition. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-breathing-architecture-2012-1/ (last accessed 27 January 2020)
Project
2012-2015
Sub-series
L'anarchitetto (1973)
AP207.S3.SS01
Description:
The sub-series documents the publication "L'anarchitetto”, written by Pettena and published by Guaraldi, in Florence, in 1973. The book consists of an essay in which Pettena describes himself as an "anarchitect" as he sees architecture more as a metaphor of the creative condition that starts with the intention of "making architecture" but ends up making art. He also states his refusal to "to recognize the borders between disciplines." [1] The sub-series contains pictures of Pettena's projects to be selected from for the book and scans of "L'anarchitetto”. Sources: Pettena, Gianni. "L'an architetto : portrait of the artist as a young architect", Guaraldi, Florence, 1973, 57 pages. [1] FRAC Centre-Val de Loire website, http://www.frac-centre.fr/_en/art-and-architecture-collection/rub/rubauthors-316.html?authID=148 (last accessed 30 January 2020).
2001-2010
L'anarchitetto (1973)
Actions:
AP207.S3.SS01
Description:
The sub-series documents the publication "L'anarchitetto”, written by Pettena and published by Guaraldi, in Florence, in 1973. The book consists of an essay in which Pettena describes himself as an "anarchitect" as he sees architecture more as a metaphor of the creative condition that starts with the intention of "making architecture" but ends up making art. He also states his refusal to "to recognize the borders between disciplines." [1] The sub-series contains pictures of Pettena's projects to be selected from for the book and scans of "L'anarchitetto”. Sources: Pettena, Gianni. "L'an architetto : portrait of the artist as a young architect", Guaraldi, Florence, 1973, 57 pages. [1] FRAC Centre-Val de Loire website, http://www.frac-centre.fr/_en/art-and-architecture-collection/rub/rubauthors-316.html?authID=148 (last accessed 30 January 2020).
Subseries
2001-2010
Project
AP207.S1.1985.PR02
Description:
The project series documents "Poltramaca", an installation that consists of half an armchair carved into a tree trunk and half a hammock hanging from a tree. The installation was presented at the Salone del Mobile, Galleria Megapoli in Milan in 1985. "[...] the trunk, cut down and abandoned, is thereby reconquered by its context, “caught” by a net that connects it to a still living tree." [1] Two other editions of the installation were presented at the "Gianni Pettena one-man show" exhibition at the Museo Piaggio, in Pontedera, in 2003, and at the Galleria Enrico Fornello in Prato, in 2009. The project series contains sketches, three drawings showing the variations of the armchair-hammock design, notes, and photographs of the installation in 1985, 2003 and 2009, and a digital video of the 2009 installation. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-armchair-hammock-1985/ (last accessed 11 December 2019).
circa 1985-2015
Poltramaca [Armchair-Hammock] (1985)
Actions:
AP207.S1.1985.PR02
Description:
The project series documents "Poltramaca", an installation that consists of half an armchair carved into a tree trunk and half a hammock hanging from a tree. The installation was presented at the Salone del Mobile, Galleria Megapoli in Milan in 1985. "[...] the trunk, cut down and abandoned, is thereby reconquered by its context, “caught” by a net that connects it to a still living tree." [1] Two other editions of the installation were presented at the "Gianni Pettena one-man show" exhibition at the Museo Piaggio, in Pontedera, in 2003, and at the Galleria Enrico Fornello in Prato, in 2009. The project series contains sketches, three drawings showing the variations of the armchair-hammock design, notes, and photographs of the installation in 1985, 2003 and 2009, and a digital video of the 2009 installation. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/inst-armchair-hammock-1985/ (last accessed 11 December 2019).
Project
circa 1985-2015
Project
AP207.S1.2013.PR02
Description:
The project series documents the digitally created performance "Testacoda" by Pettena in 2013. The performance consists of a photograph of Pettena swimming to which he added the tail of a dolphin. This performance refers to "Il Mestiere Dell'Architetto" (2002) showing the difficulties and possible impasses of the work of the architect. "However, the ‘swimmer’ must still keep his head well up, as a symbol of rationality, and look with all his attention but, when he decides, he can give himself up to emotion through the wriggles of his tail." [1] The project series contains a printed photograph of the digital performance. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/perf-back-to-surface-2013/ (last accessed 28 January 2020)
circa 2013
Testacoda [Back to Surface] (2013)
Actions:
AP207.S1.2013.PR02
Description:
The project series documents the digitally created performance "Testacoda" by Pettena in 2013. The performance consists of a photograph of Pettena swimming to which he added the tail of a dolphin. This performance refers to "Il Mestiere Dell'Architetto" (2002) showing the difficulties and possible impasses of the work of the architect. "However, the ‘swimmer’ must still keep his head well up, as a symbol of rationality, and look with all his attention but, when he decides, he can give himself up to emotion through the wriggles of his tail." [1] The project series contains a printed photograph of the digital performance. Source: [1] Gianni Pettena website, https://www.giannipettena.it/italiano/opere-1/perf-back-to-surface-2013/ (last accessed 28 January 2020)
Project
circa 2013