Piero Gilardi became famous in the 1960s with hyperrealistic sculptures in foam rubber, which he dubbed ‘Tappeti-Natura’ (nature carpets). In the 1970s, he halted his artistic endeavours in order to travel, focus on political activism and write theoretical analyses of the art of his time. In 1983, Gilardi once again became active in the art world. He created a new series of ‘Tappeti-Natura’ and devoted himself to what he described as ‘relational art’: artistic projects in which a strong desire for social engagement prompted him to initiate collaborations with fellow artists and other active participants.
