Mario Merz Igloo Catalogue Published for Centenary

The Fondazione Mario Merz has released a catalogue raisonné dedicated to the igloos of Arte Povera master Mario Merz (Milan, 1925 – Turin, 2003) on the centenary of his birth. Published by hopefulmonster, the volume is the result of exhaustive research by art historian Maddalena Disch, who previously authored the catalogue raisonné on Giulio Paolini. The catalogue presents a complete genealogy of Merz's igloos, including every formal variation, philosophical legacy, and material history, through a system of analytical entries. The first igloo catalogued is Igloo di Giap (1968), created for the group exhibition Il percorso in Rome. Its materials are listed precisely: steel tubular structure, wire mesh, clay loaves in plastic bags, neon writing, diameter 200 cm. Now in the collection of the Centre Pompidou in Paris since 1982, the work features a neon quote from General Võ Nguyên Giáp, introducing a textual and political component that runs through Merz's production. Each entry includes a final 'connections' paragraph tracing how Merz reformulated works over time, modifying, dismantling, or reusing parts. The final section collects interviews with Merz dating from 1967 to 2003, including conversations with Germano Celant, Achille Bonito Oliva, Harald Szeemann, and his wife Marisa Merz. The catalogue is aimed at specialists but offers playful pleasure for general readers. Further volumes on Merz's tables or drawings are anticipated.