In a provocative display that confronts America's relationship with gun violence and inequality, renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has unveiled his first solo gallery exhibition in over two decades at Gagosian in New York.
Titled "Sunday," the monumental installation features panels of stainless steel plated in 24-karat gold, riddled with bullet holes. The unsettling transformation of the once-smooth surfaces evokes a history of guns in art, from Edouard Manet's "The Execution of Emperor Maximilian" (1868–69) to Chris Burden's "Shoot" (1971) and William Burroughs's shotgun paintings. Cattelan's bold move challenges the boundaries of art and society, forcing visitors to confront the disturbing reality of gun violence in America.
We are completely immersed in violence every day, and we’ve gotten used to it. The repetition has made us accept violence as inevitable.
Cattelan, known for his controversial works like "America" (2016), a functional solid gold toilet, once again proves his ability to address sensitive issues head-on. The centerpiece of the exhibition, "Sunday" (2024), is accompanied by "November" (2024), a marble fountain depicting a slouching figure urinating on the ground—a jarring contravention of societal norms that forces viewers to confront the marginalized aspects of our world.
2024, installation view© Maurizio Cattelan
Photo: Maris Hutchinson
Courtesy Gagosian
Curated by Francesco Bonami, who hails Cattelan as "the most famous Italian artist since Caravaggio," the exhibition affirms the artist's skill in simultaneously addressing art history and current affairs. Despite the weighty subject matter, Cattelan remains true to his "Sunday" artist persona, presenting reality as he observes it without explicit judgment.
"Sunday" is a must-see for art enthusiasts and those seeking to engage with the pressing issues of our time. The exhibition runs from April 30 to June 15, 2024, at Gagosian's 522 West 21st Street location in New York.
Photo: Courtesy the artist