In 1996, by invitation of the Reverend Giulio Greco, Dan Flavin created a work as a central feature of the renovation of the parish church designed by Giovanni Muzio in the 1930s. In 1997, at the time of the first solo exhibition held by Fondazione Prada on the American artist, after his death (“Dan Flavin: Works 1964–1981,” 1997), a donation from the foundation made it possible to install a site-specific work, with the collaboration of the Dia Center for the Arts of New York and the Dan Flavin Estate.
One of the central interests developed by Flavin in his works has to do with architecture, and with the relationship between his creations and the surrounding architectural context. It is no coincidence that the artist’s pathway in the art of light began with “icons” – square monochrome paintings with a lighting fixture and light bulb attached – and terminated with a project for the interior of a church, although Flavin always avoided associating any symbolic or spiritual interpretations with his art.
His icons and works with fluorescent light counter the transcendent aspirations of art with the ordinary practicality of commercial lighting fixtures, never allowing either of these two aspects to prevail over the other.
Dan Flavin (1933, Jamaica NY – 1996, Riverhead NY)
Photo © Roberto Marossi / Courtesy Fondazione Prada
