Fire is a particularly fascinating theme, according to the words of Jannis Kounellis. His interest in this element goes beyond its nature as a problematic phenomenon, also encompassing its connections with medieval legends, where fire represents both punishment and purification.
Starting around 1965, Kounellis moves away from painting, and from 1967, in the year of the so-called “Margherita di fuoco” (Fire Daisy), the phenomenon of combustion begins to frequently appear in his works. In one particular artwork, Kounellis juxtaposes nature and culture by showcasing the oxidizing flame used to cut metal leaves, replacing the organic life of the flower with the fire itself, symbolizing its renewal.
His fire is imbued with a benevolent alchemical power, ranging from the mystical flame of his early works to the evocative presence of soot in recent years. An artistic experience that blends the visual and symbolic power of fire with Kounellis’ poetics, conveying a profound meaning about human nature and its continuous rebirth.
