Burri Plastiche

This monograph, edited by noted Italian art critic Bruno Corà and published on the occasion of Art Basel 2018, presents the genesis, critical analysis, and exhibition history of the Combustioni Plastiche [Plastic Combustions] cycle by Alberto Burri. These works span a quarter of a century, from 1953 to 1979, and were created using industrial sheets of different kinds of plastic, with different melting points. They are visceral and technically innovative hybrids, part painting and part sculpture, ranging in size from a few centimetres to larger works installed in places of worship and stage designs for theatre performances. They illuminate Burri's longstanding exploration of the beauty that can be found in mass produced materials, and function as a lens through which we can reassess Burri's entire creative career.

Historical photographs by Claudio Amendola and Ugo Mulas, newspaper articles, and in-depth essays offer a complete analysis of this extraordinary cycle of works.

The catalogue will be presented during Art Basel 2018.

Book Features:

• A history and critical analysis of the Plastic Combustions series created by Italian artist Alberto Burri.
• Includes fascinating archival photographs of the artist working on individual pieces.
• Edited by Bruno Cora, noted Italian art critic and member of the Burri Foundation.

83 colour, 19 b/w images

About the Author

Bruno Cora is a renowned Italian art historian and critic, and a member of the Burri Foundation. He has written books on Alberto Burri, Joseph Beuys, Arnaldo Pomodoro, and Gerhard Richter, among others.