Mario Merz. Igloos

Curated by Vicente Todolí. In collaboration with Fondazione Merz

“Igloos” (2018) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Igloos

“Igloos”, an exhibition dedicated to Mario Merz (Milan, 1925–2003)—one of the most relevant post-war artists—brings together his most iconic group of works, the igloos, dating from 1968 until the end of his life. Curated by Vicente Todolí, and realized in collaboration with Fondazione Merz, the exhibition spans the whole space of the Navate of Pirelli HangarBicocca, placing the visitor at the heart of a constellation of over 30 large-scale works in the shape of an igloo: an unprecedented landscape of great visual impact.

La goccia d’acqua (1987) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

A key figure of Arte Povera, Mario Merz investigates and represents the processes of transformation of nature and human life: in particular the igloos, visually traceable to primordial habitations, become for the artist the archetype of inhabited places and of the world, as well as a metaphor for the various relationships between interior and exterior, between physical and conceptual space, between individuality and collectivity.

La goccia d’acqua (1987) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Igloo del Palacio de las Alhajas (1982) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

These pieces are characterized by a metal structure coated in a great variety of common materials, such as clay, glass, stone, jute, and steel—often leaning or intertwined in an unstable fashion—and by the use of neon elements and wording.

“Igloos” (2018) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

The exhibition provides an overview of Mario Merz’s work, of its historical importance and great innovative reach: gathered from private collections and international museums, the igloos will be displayed together in such a large number for the first time.

“Igloos” (2018) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

“Igloos” (2018) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Sentiero per qui (1986) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Noi giriamo intorno alle case o le case girano intorno a noi? (1977) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Noi giriamo intorno alle case o le case girano intorno a noi? (1977) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Noi giriamo intorno alle case o le case girano intorno a noi? (1977) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Senza titolo (1985) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

“Igloos” (2018) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

“Igloos” (2018) by Mario MerzPirelli HangarBicocca

Credits: Story

In collaboration with Fondazione Merz

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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