Marcella Beccaria, Coosje van Bruggen, Germano Celant, Ida Gianelli, Dieter Koepplin, Richard Morphet, Claes Osenburg, Turin, 2006.

Hardcover, 368 pp., 250 color illustrations, 50 b/w illustrations.

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen define their artistic collaboration as “a synthesis of opposites”. Characterised by a constant interaction between two strong and distinct identities, their collaboration, approaching the complexity of the contemporary world dynamically, has redefined the concept of sculpture. This is a comprehensive monograph devoted to this celebrated couple of contemporary artists who have, through their collaboration, ventured into new territories, leading their artistic language towards interaction with other disciplines and thus creating a new artistic language; it documents their creative development.

Modifying the language of monumental sculpture created for public spaces, since the end of the seventies these two artists have developed their work bringing it to dimensions that are at times colossal. The monograph, published for a retrospective held at Rivoli Castle, investigates the close ties that exist between their works and architecture. It traces the evolution of their art from the mid-eighties to today placing particular emphasis on works created since the early nineties where dynamic tension resulting from performative gesture has given rise to investigations into issues connected with human frailty faced with the inexorable potency of time.

The volume contains an interview with the artists which is being published for the first time, an anthology of writings, a bio-bibliography and a huge new work specially created for the occasion: Dropped Flower.