Curated by Franklin Sirmans

Maurizio Cattelan has been described as a conceptual artist, a curator, a publisher, and a smart-ass. “Comedians manipulate and make fun of reality,” he has remarked. “Whereas I actually think that reality is far more provocative than my art.” In recent years, Cattelan (with longtime collaborators Massimiliano Gioni and Ali Subotnik) has busied himself with the “doorfront” Wrong Gallery and with curating the 2006 Berlin Biennial. His show at the Menil Collection focuses on sculptures first shown in Europe in 2007—for instance, Ave Maria, a trio of saluting arms that extend from the wall—as well as four new works. During the exhibition’s run, a selection of Cattelan’s pieces will be situated in galleries throughout the museum among works from the collection. Love to love a smart smart-ass.

— David Rimanelli