Giuseppe Penone and Alain Elkann: 474 Answers

474 Answers brings together a series of conversations between Giuseppe Penone and the novelist and journalist Alain Elkann that took place in the artist’s studio in Turin, Italy, in August–October 2020. It was first published in Italian by Bompiani in 2022 with the title 474 Risposte.

The intimate and informal exchanges that unfold in response to Elkann’s wide-ranging questions provide a full and fascinating picture of Penone’s life and career to date. The artist speaks about his childhood in northwest Italy, his family, and his lifelong love of nature, as well as his early career as the youngest of the artists associated with Arte Povera, his formative experiences in the art world, and some of his most significant projects. Brought to life by ample illustrations drawn from his personal and studio archives, Penone’s “answers” coalesce to offer extensive insights into his inquiring mind and the passions that have motivated him throughout a career spanning over fifty years.