Ion Grigorescu
(Bucharest, 1945)- Around the table, 2015
- Drawing?, 2014
- Cortinas de la democracia, 2012
- The poor people are fending for themselves, 2009
- Wax Cherry Tree, 2009
- Returned Cart, 2009
- The Portuguese carpet, 2009
- Sleep, 2008
- Documenta 12, 2007
- Skin, 2006
- Study for Oedipus, 1985
- Portrait(s) of Ceausescu, 1980
- Selfsuperposeds, 1976-1979
- Dialogue with Ceauşescu, 1978
- Box, 1977
- Masculine – Feminine, 1976
- Electoral Meeting, 1975
The Portuguese carpet, 2009
Color photograph printed on canvas
183 x 100 cm
ENG
This artwork subtitled When the poor has a carpet he imagines to be rich, consists of a canvas with a composition of decorative elements inspired by Portuguese carpets, converted into an art object. For Grigorescu, a carpet is an element that defines the differences between the poor and the rich. The poor appreciate them more and use them daily (for praying, for sitting, etc...). For this project, Grigorescu makes his own carpet, replete with “ornaments from (his) imaginary garden”. It is hung vertically, eliminating its usual function: “My “carpet” could be taken as a cheap one because it is not from thick threads, or as a poor one, because it’s made from photographs [...] Me, belonging to no such category, nor poor, neither rich, I am manufacturing the carpet from my materials. I don’t breed sheep, technically it is too expensive, but I will not be able to lay my feet nor sit on it, only imaginary.”
CAS
Esta pieza subtitulada, When the poor has a carpet he imagines to be rich / Cuando el pobre tiene una alfombra se imagina que es rico, se trata de un lienzo con una composición de elementos decorativos a la manera de las alfombras portuguesas, pero convertido en objeto de exposición. Para Grigorescu, una alfombra es un elemento que define muy bien las diferencias entre pobres y ricos. Son los pobres los que más las aprecian y las utilizan de forma cotidiana (para rezar, sentarse, etc...). Él fabrica su propia alfombra, repleta de “ornamentos de mi (su) jardin imaginario”. Se cuelga en vertical, eliminando su función habitual: “Mi “alfombra” puede ser tomada por una barata porque no está hecha de hilos gruesos, o como una alfombra pobre porque está hecha de fotografías [...] Yo que no pertenezco a ninguna categoría, ni rico ni pobre, fabrico la alfombra con mis propios materiales. No tengo ovejas, en teoría es demasiado caro, pero no podría descansar sobre ella, es sólo imaginaria”. (extrato de texto de Ion Grigorescu)
