Alighiero Boetti

Alighiero Boetti was an Italian conceptual artist and a key figure in the Arte Povera movement. Born on December 16, 1940, in Turin, Italy, Boetti’s artistic journey was marked by an unconventional approach to art and a fascination with language, systems, and identity.

Boetti’s early works were influenced by the Arte Povera movement, which sought to challenge traditional notions of art by using everyday materials and exploring the relationship between art and life. His works from this period often incorporated simple and humble materials, such as fabric, wood, and found objects. In the late 1960s, Boetti began to experiment with language and systems in his art. He adopted the alter ego “Alighiero e Boetti” (Alighiero and Boetti) and embraced the idea of duality and collaboration within himself. This duality became a central theme in his work, reflecting the complex relationship between the individual and the collective, the self and the other. One of Boetti’s most iconic series of works was the Mappa (Map) series, which he started in 1971. These works featured intricate world maps, hand-embroidered by artisans in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Boetti’s use of embroidery not only challenged traditional gender roles associated with the craft but also highlighted the interconnectedness of cultures and the global nature of human existence.

Throughout his career, Boetti continued to explore themes of time, repetition, and order. His works often employed numerical systems, such as the Fibonacci sequence, and explored the passage of time through calendars and time-based projects. In the 1980s, Boetti’s artistic practice took a new turn as he delved into more complex and large-scale installations. He created immersive environments that invited viewers to engage with his ideas on a deeper level. These installations often incorporated found objects, drawings, and other elements, blurring the lines between art and reality.

Alighiero Boetti passed away on February 24, 1994, in Rome.