Gianfranco Baruchello
Biography
(Livorno, 1924) is a unique figure on the Italian art scene, in dialogue with the international avant-gardes, including the philosopher Jean-François Lyotard. In over 50 years of activity he has drawn, painted, written, and produced happenings, films and videos. After training in the Parisian atmosphere of nouveau réalisme, he went to New York, where he came into contact with abstract expressionism and pop art. His first solo show dates back to 1963, at Galleria La Tartaruga, also the year of his decisive meeting with Marcel Duchamp. Since 1963, the year in which he made Il grado zero del paesaggio,he has made over fifty films and videos; the best known on an international level remains La verifica incerta 1964–65, made with Alberto Grifi. In 2014–15 a retrospective of his work has been held at the Deichtorhallen Sammlung Falckenberg, Hamburg, and ZKM, Karlsruhe.
Known For & Full Filmography4 Titles
Movie - 2024, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
From Paolo Brunatto's series "Scheggie Di Utopia".
Movie - 2020, 2h 15m • as Self - Artist
A remarkable walk through the life and work of the French artist Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968), one of the most important creators of the 20th century, revolutionary of arts, aesthetics and pop culture.
Movie - 1968, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
The film is the story of the crude destruction, meticulously done by the artist himself, of a frozen turkey produced in America. The meat is placed in a wooden box and buried in a grave in a field. Dedicated to the fundamental concepts of the ‘lay military priesthood’ (terminology typical of the generals): discipline, honour and other sacred duties, the film is part of a trilogy by Baruchello against the Vietnam War. —Tate Modern
Movie - 1969, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
In one of the three films Gianfranco Baruchello made in 1968 in response to the war in Vietnam, the artist carefully washes hundreds of coins in a bathtub, and then proceeds to cook and serve them at table.