Dossier - Luciano Fabro
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Luciano Fabro
1936, Turin - 1-6-2007, Milan

The work of sculptor Luciano Fabro originates in Arte Povera, an Italian art movement of the sixties and seventies. The Arte Povera artists were very interested in nature, culture and cultural history (especially European). The name 'Arte Povera' refers to their innovative use of materials. They wanted to show that ‘poor’ everyday materials could also be used as the basis for a full-blown work of art.
Although Fabro’s earlier works displayed a preference for precious and valuable materials, his choice of materials is always made very deliberately. He believes this must perfectly match the content and form of the work of art. After the seventies, too, Fabro continued his interest in cultural history, particularly that of Italy. He was inspired by the Roman and Renaissance period, among others, and classical myths are often the subject of his work. He gives a modern slant to the mythological tales, in which he combines figurative elements with associative, abstract forms. 'La nascita di Venere' (1992-94) depicts the birth of the Greek/Roman goddess of earthly love and beauty, Venus, from the foam of the sea.
The combination of materials in ‘Prometeo’ (1986-87) refers both to the present and to antiquity. The palisade of surveyor’s rods and rulers rests on eight marble columns which, when viewed from above, describe a triangle and a pentagon. Despite this geometric floor plan, the work as a whole looks disorderly and incomprehensible. However, the title ‘Prometeo’ and the year of creation are a significant combination. The installation commemorates the Chernobyl disaster (1986) and recalls the story of Prometheus, who stole the fire of heaven for mankind and had to pay for his audacious deed with terrible torments.
Luciano Fabro died in June 2007.
Prometeo, 1986-1987

Images
Collection Bonnefantenmuseum
Prometeo, 1986-1987
La nascita de Venere, 1992-1994