La tela della Veronica, 1988-98
GPO-0811
Veronica’s Canvas
Ribbon made up of weaved paper elements, steel pedestals, primed canvases, ceremony men’s jacket
Variable number of canvases (40 x 60 cm each) and of pedestals (h 80 cm each), overall dimensions variable
Collection of the artist
The number of columns, the length of the ribbon, and the number of canvases can vary depending on the size of the exhibition space.
• 1998, Graz, Neue Galerie: the ribbon was supported by twelve columns; four canvases were hung; the canvas on the ground was visible from the recto.
• 1999, Turin, GAM Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea: the ribbon was supported by sixteen columns; four canvases were hung; the canvas on the ground was visible from the verso.
Delimiting an area that is inaccessible to the public is a ribbon consisting of numerous strips cut out from colour posters and reproductions of the artist's solo exhibitions. Inside the area is a “fall” of primed canvases at different heights, hanging from nylon threads attached to the ceiling. The last canvas is arranged on the ground and dons a dress suit jacket, resembling a figure that has fallen to the ground.
The work does not just confine the viewer on this side of the “sacred” space of the work, but also puts the author out of action. In his acrobatic attempt to establish a direct contact with that unattainable dimension he ends up on the ground.
The title was conceived in 1988 to designate a first formulation of the theme, based on the enigma of the work, rather than on the figure of the author (GPO-0635).
| 1998 | Graz, Neue Galerie im Landesmuseum Joanneum, Giulio Paolini. Von heute bis gestern / Da oggi a ieri, 4 April - 31 May, cited in the checklist of exhibited works no. 16 p. 182, not repr. |
| 1999 | Turin, GAM Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Giulio Paolini. Da oggi a ieri, 8 May - 25 July, cited in the checklist of exhibited works no. 42 p. 38, col. repr. pp. 96- 97 (exhibition view Graz 1998), 114-117 (exhibition views). |
| • | Giulio Paolini. Premio Internazionale Koinè 2000 alla carriera, exhibition catalogue, Verona, Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea Palazzo Forti (Milan: Electa, 2001), col. repr. pp. 58-61 (exhibition views Turin 1999, with detail). |
| • | G. Paolini, Quattro passi. Nel museo senza muse (Turin: Giulio Einaudi editore, 2006), plate no. X (exhibition view Graz 1998). |
| • | M. Disch, Giulio Paolini. Catalogo ragionato 1960-1999, vol. 2 (Milan: Skira editore, 2008), cat. no. 811 p. 831, col. repr. (exhibition view Turin 1999). |
| • | E. Volpato, “L’Ile enchantée. La visione è cieca”, in E. Franz et al., Giulio Paolini. Vedo e non vedo. In tema 1 (Turin-Mantua: Fondazione Giulio e Anna Paolini and Corraini Edizioni, 2014), p. 76, col. repr. p. 74 (exhibition view Turin 1999). |
| • | Giulio Paolini. A come Accademia, exhibition catalogue, Rome, Accademia Nazionale di San Luca (Rome: Gangemi Editore, 2023), col. repr. pp. 227 (exhibition view Graz 1998), 231 (exhibition view Turin 1999). |
