Artist known for duct taped banana exhibition tackles gun violence in provocative new project
(CNN) — Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan addresses the issue of gun violence and societal divisions in the US with his latest work, "Sunday (2024)," a gold-plated installation at Gagosian in New York City. The art piece consists of 64 panels made of stainless steel and sporting thousands of bullet holes, fired by licensed professionals at a Brooklyn gun range.
According to The Art Newspaper, Cattelan remarks on the widening wealth gap in society, saying, "We live in a world where the rich are getting richer and the poor are becoming poorer... History has taught us how violently that polarization can end." The artist had previously touched on wealth inequality with his 2016 installation, "America," a solid-gold toilet at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
While Gagosian declined to release the cost details, The Art Newspaper estimates that each panel costs between $300,000 and $400,000. Cattelan does not have a formal relationship with Gagosian and works on a per-project basis with various galleries instead.
"Sunday (2024)" is accompanied by a marble sculpture, titled "November (2024)," depicting an unhoused individual urinating on a bench. Francesco Bonami, the exhibition curator, finds the connection between unrestrained access to firearms and the right to relieve oneself in public squares to be self-explanatory, commenting, "If you're free to buy an assault rifle in a department store, what's wrong with pissing in public?"
Cattelan gained recognition for his thought-provoking conceptual works, such as "Comedian" in 2019. His simple ready-made, consisting of only a banana taped to a wall, drew massive crowds and divided opinions at Art Basel in Miami Beach.
For more stories from The Art Newspaper, see here.
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In discussing his latest work, "Sunday (2024)", Maurizio Cattelan highlighted the intersection of style and social commentary in the arts, stating, "This project is not just about aesthetics, but also about making a statement about gun violence and wealth inequality in society." Furthermore, Cattelan's provocative installation has been praised for its ability to blend artistic style with political critique, showcasing how the arts can serve as a platform for critical discourse.
Source: edition.cnn.com
