Statement

Annina Nosei

 

Manzoni's action in signing me, as well as signing others, as works of art, opened much ground for discussion. Definitely, the most important point of his work of art was to defy the art market. I wonder if his act went further, and if he challenged the activity of galleries. I feel free to state this now, as I have a gallery myself. Manzoni challenged the art galleries that are completely rooted in the market, even when they show, or document, works like this one that are never for sale, or saleable.

I recall a telephone conversation with my ex-husband, and gallery owner, John Weber, at the time of our separation of household and goods. We realized that the proposed trade of a Lichtenstein drawing that I owned, but that he wanted in exchange for my own essence artified by Manzoni, could not be done. I kept the Lichtenstein, and I am still yours sincerely.

ANNINA NOSEI

 

*. From the catalogue of Piero Manzoni for the show at the Hirschl and Adler Modern Gallery, New York, December 1990.back up

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