Led by Pierre Restany in October 1960, 13 artists signed a manifesto acknowledging their commitment to the Nouveau Réalisme movement. The central document of this document attested to each signatory’s belief not only in the power of their “collective singularity”, but likewise in the artistic potential of the everyday objects and events that are commonplace in consumer society. Propelled forth by the dramatic changes that occurred in post-war Europe due to the increased presence of mass production, consumption, and commodity obsession, the Nouveau Réalistes suggested that commercially manufactured goods were not only the most appropriate materials of the time, they were also replete with latent meaning.

 

This booklet was published on the occasion of the exhibition Nouveau Réalistes at Luxembourg & Dayan, London, June 19 – August 11, 2012. It includes a short text by Daniella Luxembourg, Amalia Dayan and Alma Luxembourg, an exhibition checklist, and images of artwork details and installation views. The exhibition brought together 28 works by Arman, César, Christo, Gérard Deschamps, François Dufresne, Raymond Hains, Yves Klein, Martial Raysse and Mimmo Rotella, Niki de Saint Phalle, Daniel Spoerri, Jean Tinguely and Jacques Villeglé.