The oeuvre of Jannis Kounellis, a pioneer of the Arte Povera movement, takes centre stage in this exhibition at the MKM, which forms part of the inter-city project “Art & Coal”, mounted by the RuhrKunstMuseen. In addition to steel, stone or textile, coal is one the fundamental materials from which Kounellis crafted his expansive installations.

On show is a selection of works from private and public collections celebrating the archaic energy of this combustible rock. Kounellis’ presentation of this “poor” material abounds in associations and stored histories. His installations can be read as a reminiscence to the passing of the industrial age.

For me, iron and coal are materials which reflect most profoundly the world of the Industrial Revolution and, with it, the foundations of our present culture. (Kounellis 1989).