Burri Plastiche

the long version

This monograph, edited by Bruno Corà and published in occasion of Art Basel 2018, presents the creation, critical analysis, and exhibition history of the 'Combustioni Plastiche' [Plastic Combustion] by Alberto Burri. This cycle of works is an extremely composite type that spans a quarter of a century (from the ?rst use of plastic in Sacco 5P [5P Sack] in 1953, through to the circular combustion work in Il Viaggio [The Journey] in 1979). What?s more, if you consider the fact that the series ranges from items that measure just a few centimetres across to larger works installed in places of worship (such as the choir of the church of Sion in Switzerland), as well as in stage designs for theatre performances in the 1970s, you could say that this superb series of works functions as a lens through which we can reassess Burri?s entire creative career. Historical photographs by Claudio Amendola and Ugo Mulas, newspaper articles and critical essays give a deep analysis of this extraordinary artistic production.