Stefano Arienti’s work in this exhibition is characteristic of Arte Provera and Arienti’s continued interest in the subtle manipulation of found materials with a focus on décor and decoration. The exhibition will feature slabs of marble, large dyed carpets, cords made of paper, drawings and mass-produced posters sewn with zippers.

Often present in Arienti’s art are collateral or complimentary works. This is apparent in Macramè su Tavolo di Onice Scuro and Tovaglia per Marmo. Round slabs of marble originally used as tabletops have been painstakingly painted with traced motifs from the tablecloths. The original crocheted cloths with remnants of paint are then hung on the gallery walls. This collection and exhibition of elements is an example of his ideas about craft. Inspiration may be derived from source materials or those materials may be altered themselves to create a new work.

Since childhood Arienti has collected large quantities of the same objects, many of which have formed the core of the artist’s works. In Libri Tranciati, over 100 books have been continuously sliced so that only each book’s spine and title remain. Another example of collections in his work is the group of large carpets from different parts of the world that are featured in this show. Like Ensi Cinese Nero, each carpet has been dyed either red or black; this manipulation allows for the viewer to see the subtle variations between the carpets’ textures and designs while color and tonal differences are subverted. With many of the distinguishing marks connecting each carpet to a culture or region of the world removed, only a sense of each original remains.