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Almine Rech

John Giorno I am a Poet

Aug 25 — Oct 14, 2023 | Shanghai

Opening on Friday, August 25th, 2023, from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Almine Rech Shanghai is pleased to announce the sixth solo exhibition by John Giorno with the gallery, on view from August 25 to October 14, 2023.

"I am a poet” and "I am a Buddhist” are the two ways John Giorno most often introduces himself. These two identities are central to our understanding of the artist. However, as a Zen monk once said, "How can we appreciate the beauty of the moon when we are in it?" It would be futile to look directly for traces of Buddhism in Giorno's artworks. We shall take a detour to appreciate his art.

— Neil Zhang, curator and researcher in Buddhism

Press release

  • read or download in English
  • 中文阅读下载

Selected artworks

  • John Giorno,                                      YOU GOT TO BURN TO SHINE, 2018

    John Giorno YOU GOT TO BURN TO SHINE, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas - in four parts
    284.5 x 284.5 cm
    112 x 112 in

  • John Giorno,                                      THE WORLD JUST MAKES ME LAUGH, 2018

    John Giorno THE WORLD JUST MAKES ME LAUGH, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno,                                      EVERYONE IS A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT, 2018

    John Giorno EVERYONE IS A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno,                                      LIFE IS A KILLER, 2017

    John Giorno LIFE IS A KILLER, 2017

    Acrylic on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno,                                      LIVING IN YOUR EYES, 2015

    John Giorno LIVING IN YOUR EYES, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      BAD NEWS IS ALWAYS TRUE, 2015

    John Giorno BAD NEWS IS ALWAYS TRUE, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      EATING THE SKY, 2018

    John Giorno EATING THE SKY, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas
    120 x 121 cm
    47 1/4 x 47 5/8 in

  • John Giorno,                                      THANX 4 NOTHING, 2018

    John Giorno THANX 4 NOTHING, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas
    119.7 x 121.3 cm
    47 1/8 x 47 3/4 in

  • John Giorno,                                      THE WORLD JUST MAKES ME LAUGH, 2012

    John Giorno THE WORLD JUST MAKES ME LAUGH, 2012

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      I WANT TO CUM IN YOUR HEART, 2012

    John Giorno I WANT TO CUM IN YOUR HEART, 2012

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      WE GAVE A PARTY FOR THE GODS AND THE GODS ALL CAME, 2015

    John Giorno WE GAVE A PARTY FOR THE GODS AND THE GODS ALL CAME, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      DON'T WAIT FOR ANYTHING, 2015

    John Giorno DON'T WAIT FOR ANYTHING, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      FILLING WHAT IS EMPTY EMPTYING WHAT IS FULL, 2015

    John Giorno FILLING WHAT IS EMPTY EMPTYING WHAT IS FULL, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      DIAL-A-POEM (Push-Button Edition), 1968-2019

    John Giorno DIAL-A-POEM (Push-Button Edition), 1968-2019

    Telephone, computer with 293 digitally recorded poems from 135 poets and artists
    12.7 x 27.9 x 27.3 cm
    5 x 11 x 10 3/4 in
    Edition 7 of 20

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