JOHN GIORNO

kurimanzutto is honoured to present its first solo exhibition by the celebrated artist, poet, and activist John Giorno (1936 – 2019) at its New York gallery. Titled Jasmine Burn, this exhibition departs from Giorno’s long-standing relationship to Buddhist spirituality and explores the ways in which it informs his work. It features his series Perfect Flower Paintings, Black and White Poem Paintings, as well as rarely-seen early silkscreen prints from the 1970s. Also included is his well-known Dial-A-Poem, a phone line connecting listeners to the voices of hundreds of poets, musicians, and activists, alongside archival materials related to Giorno’s life as a Buddhist. On display in the gallery’s viewing room are works by two artist-peers: Rirkrit Tiravanija’s JG Reads (2008) a 10-hour film about Giorno, and a ‘target’ painting by Ugo Rondinone, Giorno’s long-time partner and husband. Giorno Poetry Systems (GPS), the nonprofit organization Giorno founded in 1965 that remains active today, will present a series of public events related to the exhibition in its iconic landmarked building at 222 Bowery. This exhibition is curated by GPS Director Anthony Huberman.