Jannis Kounellis
Jannis Kounellis (1936-2017) was a Greek-Italian contemporary artist known for his association with the Arte Povera movement. Born on March 23, 1936, in Piraeus, Greece, he moved to Rome in 1956 to study at the Accademia di Belle Arti. Kounellis's work is characterized by the use of unconventional materials such as coal, burlap, steel and live animals, which he incorporated into his installations to challenge traditional notions of art. Kounellis gained prominence in the 1960s with his works that merged painting and sculpture, creating immersive environments that reflected social and political themes. His notable pieces include "Untitled (12 Horses)" (1969), where he exhibited twelve live horses in a gallery space, and "Senza Titolo" (1989), featuring a wall filled with coal. Kounellis's work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. He participated in several editions of the Venice Biennale and Documenta in Kassel. Jannis Kounellis's innovative and thought-provoking approach to art left a lasting impact on the contemporary art world. He passed away on February 16, 2017, in Rome, Italy.