Art Review: Alighiero Boetti @ Tate Modern

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 144 months ago
Art Review: Alighiero Boetti @ Tate Modern
Alighiero Boetti, Mappa,1994. © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Mappa,1994. © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Alternando da uno a cento e viceversa,1993. © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Alternando da uno a cento e viceversa,1993. © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Aerei, 1989. Courtesy of Carmignac Gestion Foundation  © Aligherio Boetti, DACS 2011
Alighiero Boetti, Aerei, 1989. Courtesy of Carmignac Gestion Foundation © Aligherio Boetti, DACS 2011
Alighiero Boetti, Io che prendo il sole a Toriino il 19 gennaio,1969. Private collection © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Io che prendo il sole a Toriino il 19 gennaio,1969. Private collection © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Mappa 1971-1972. Private collection © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti
Alighiero Boetti, Mappa 1971-1972. Private collection © Alighiero Boetti Estate by DACS / SIAE, 2012, courtesy Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti

This exhibition has a lot in common with Jeremy Deller’s at the Hayward Gallery, but Boetti took himself much more seriously even going so far as to change his name as he didn’t think it was grandiose enough!

Many of Boetti’s works fall flat but there are some moments of brilliance including his massive canvases covered with biro scribblings where more patterns seem to emerge the longer you stare at them.

The highlight of the exhibition is the works he is most famous for – his maps. He used assistants to weave large maps of the world where there are no geographical features only the flags of the countries that occupy that space. It’s a great way of showing the impact and presence of every nation in the world.

Overall Boetti can be hit and miss, with some works that are definitely worth seeing but most of the art failing to grab you. As this exhibition is situated opposite Yayoi Kusama’s, you fear that there isn’t enough here to grab the attention of visitors to the Tate Modern.

Alighiero Boetti: Game Plan is on at the Tate Modern until 27 May. Admission is £10, £8.50 for concessions.

Last Updated 05 March 2012