Arte Povera and Post-WWII Sculpture (ITAL-0072)

Spring 2026 · ITAL 0072 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

In 1967, critic Germano Celant coined the phrase "Arte Povera". Such label defined the unsystematic work of a group of contemporary Italian artists that were interested in simple materials and their physical and chemical transformations. The word “povera”, literally “poor”, also meant to criticize Pop Art, interpreted as an acceptance of consumerism. Mainly through sculpture, installation, and performance, Arte Povera offered an alternative to the traditional mediums of Classical and Renaissance art. The class will analyze Arte Povera's history, reception, and context by considering theoretical, cultural, social, political, and gender issues in 1960s and 1970s Italy. The diverse perspectives of select Italian and English speaking scholars will be taken into account.

Course codes: ITAL-0072, ITAL 0072, ITAL0072, ITAL-72, ITAL 72, ITAL72, VISC-0130, VISC 0130, VISC0130, VISC-130, VISC 130, VISC130

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