Stefano Arienti 1961–

Stefano Arienti was born in Asola in the province of Mantua in 1961. After earning a degree in agricultural studies, he turned to art under the guidance of Corrado Levi, and made his debut in Milan in the mid-Eighties at the Brown Boveri (a former factory that many young artists used as a gathering place for free experimentation).

Arienti currently lives and works in Milan. He uses “poor” and everyday materials, which often include paper, books, pictures taken from postcards, posters or photocopies, as well as polystyrene, plastic, plasticine, and fabrics. Arienti’s works surprise the viewer and invite him to reflect on the concept of “wonder;” they sometimes manipulate the viewer and prompt him to participate.

He has participated in numerous shows over the past three decades: the Venice Biennale (Aperto 1990, 1993); the Istanbul Biennial (1992); Cocido y Crudo, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid (1994); XII Rome Quadrennial, 1996 (first prize winner); Fatto in Italia, Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva (1997); ICA, London (1997); and Gwangju Biennale (2008). Arienti’s most recent solo exhibitions have included those at MAXXI, Rome (2004); Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin (2005); Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston (2007); Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Venice (2008); MAMbo, Bologna (with Cesare Pietroiusti, 2008); Palazzo Ducale, Mantua (2009); and Museion, Bolzano (with Massimo Bartolini, 2011).