Fondazione Merz in Turin Celebrates 15 Years with a Rich History of Exhibitions and International Outreach
The Fondazione Merz in Turin marks its 15th anniversary. Founded by Mario and Marisa Merz in the late 1990s, it opened in 2005 in a former Lancia factory heating plant in Borgo San Paolo. President Beatrice Merz recounts the foundation's origins, its 70 exhibitions with 172 artists, and 147 events. The Mario Merz Prize, established in 2013, awards mid-career artists with sociopolitical engagement. Recent international projects include collaborations in Palermo (BAM), Lebanon, Spain, Switzerland, and the US. During lockdown, the foundation launched #FondazioneMerzRewind online and the Instagram series 'Scusi, non capisco' on art's role in crisis. Upcoming exhibition 'Push the limits' focuses on female artists pushing boundaries.
Key facts
- Fondazione Merz opened in 2005 in a former Lancia factory heating plant in Turin's Borgo San Paolo district.
- The foundation was conceived by Mario and Marisa Merz in the late 1990s.
- Beatrice Merz is president and former director.
- The foundation has hosted 70 exhibitions with 172 artists and 147 events.
- The Mario Merz Prize was established in 2013 for the 10th anniversary of Mario Merz's death.
- The scientific committee includes Frances Morris (Tate Modern), Vicente Todolí (Pirelli HangarBicocca), Richard Flood, and Mariano Boggia.
- International projects include BAM in Palermo (2017, 2019), Lebanon (Zena el Khalil, 2017), and collaborations in Switzerland and the US.
- Upcoming exhibition 'Push the limits' curated by Claudia Gioia focuses on female artists.
- During lockdown, the foundation launched #FondazioneMerzRewind and Instagram series 'Scusi, non capisco'.
- The third Mario Merz Prize winner is Bertille Bak, announced at the Reina Sofía in Madrid.
Entities
Artists
- Mario Merz
- Marisa Merz
- Beatrice Merz
- Wolfgang Laib
- Alfredo Jaar
- Christian Boltanski
- Wael Shawky
- Petrit Halilaj
- Michal Rovner
- Damián Ortega
- Zena el Khalil
- Bertille Bak
- Claudia Gioia
- Maria Centonze
- Agata Polizzi
- Costantino D'Orazio
- Giusi Diana
- Samuel Gross
- Vito Planeta
- Luca Mercalli
- Salvatore Cusimano
- Marco Zatterin
- Pamela Villoresi
- Alessandra Quattordio
- Francesco De Grandi
- Michele Guido
- Emily Jacir
- Maura Reilly
- Massimo Bartolini
- Elisabetta Benassi
- Fatma Bucak
- Matthew Barney
- René Burri
- Carlos Garaicoa
- Sol LeWitt
- Masbedo
- Mona Hatoum
- Emilio Prini
- Simon Starling
- Kara Walker
- Lawrence Weiner
Institutions
- Fondazione Merz
- GAM (Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Torino)
- Castello di Rivoli
- Tate Modern
- Pirelli HangarBicocca
- Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- Kunstmuseum Zurich
- Zentrum Paul Klee
- BAM (Biennale Arcipelago Mediterraneo)
- Artribune
- Dia Beacon
- Festival delle Letterature Migranti
- Fondazione Matera-Basilicata 2019
- Matera 2019
- Società del Concerti
- ESOF20
- Mario Merz Prize
- BAM – Biennale Arcipelago Mediterraneo
- City of Turin
Locations
- Turin
- Italy
- Borgo San Paolo
- via Limone
- Palermo
- Palazzo Branciforte
- Chiesa di SS. Euno e Giuliano
- Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo
- Piazza Magione
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- Berna
- Madrid
- Spain
- United States
- New York
- Trieste
- Matera
- Mediterranean
- Central Europe