1931           Born in Turin, Italy

2019         Died in Turin, Italy

 

Awards       

2013
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement – 55th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

2001
Biennale di Venezia Award for lifetime achievement

 

Selected Solo Exhibitions

 

2023

Marisa Merz, Gladstone Gallery, New York NY
Marisa Merz and Shilpa Gupta: visibleinvisible, MAXXI L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

2021
Marisa and Mario Merz. A pencil point can surpass consciousness, Fondazione Merz, Torino

2019
Geometrie sconnesse palpiti geometrici, Collezione Giancarlo e Danna Olgiati, Lugano, Switzerland
Marisa Merz, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

2018
Marisa Merz, Bernier/Eliades Gallery, Athens

2017
Marisa Merz: The Sky is a Great Space, The Met Breuer, New York traveling to: The Hammer Musuem, Los Angeles ; Serralves Museum, Porto, Portugal (2018) ; Museum der Moderne Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria (2018)

2016
Marisa Merz, Thomas Dane Gallery, London
Marisa and Mario Merz, Museum of Contemporary Art Rome, Rome
Marisa Merz, Gladstone Gallery, New York

2013
Marisa Merz, Sepentine Gallery, London
Marisa Merz, Bernier/Eliades Gallery, Athens
Marisa Merz, Gladstone Gallery, New York

2012
Marisa Merz, Monica De Cardenas Galleria, Zuoz, Switzerland
Marisa Merz, Christian Stein, Milan, Italy
Marisa Merz: disegnare disegnare ridisegnare il pensiero immagine che cammina, Fondazione Merz, Turin, Italy

2011
Gladstone Gallery, Brussels
Marisa Merz: non corrisponde eppur fiorisce,² Fondazione Querini Stampalia

2010
Gladstone Gallery, New York
Centre internationale d’art et du paysage, Ile de Vassivière

2008
Marisa Merz, Christian Stein Gallery, Milan

2007
Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Donnaregina, Napoli

2006
Gladstone Gallery, New York

2004
Barbara Gladstone Gallery , New York

2003
Kunstmuseum Winterthur , Switzerland

2002
Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris

1998
Villa delle Rose, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Bologna

1996
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

1995
Kunstmuseum Winterthur , Switzerland , “Marisa Merz”

1994
Museé National d’Art Moderne Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
Barbara Gladstone Gallery , New York

1993
Gallery Christian Stein, Milan

1984
Jean and Karen Bernier Gallery, Athens

1980
Gallery Tucci Russo, Turin

1979
Jean and Karen Bernier Gallery, Athens

1975
Gallery l’Attico, Rome

1969
Gallery l’Attico, Rome

1967
Gallery Gian Enzo Sperone, Turin

 

Selected Group Exhibitions

 

2023

From Here to Infinity, Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris, France

 

2022

Reversing the Eye: Photography, Film and Video in the Years of Arte Povera, Triennale Milano in collaboration with Jeu de Paume and LE BAL, Paris, France
In the Context of the Collection: Brian O’Doherty: Phases of the Self, Kunstmuseum Lichtenstein, Vaduz, Lichtenstein
Alfredo Jaar: THE TEMPTATION TO EXIST, Galerie Lelong & Co., New York NY
Il giardino dell’arte. Opere, collezioni, Centro per l’Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci, Prato, Italy

2021

The Flames, MAM, Paris, France
Il Festival delle Colline Torinesi, Turin, Italy
Marisa and Mario Merz. A pencil point can surpass consciousness, Fondazione Merz, Turin, Italy
Portals-59 Artists from 27 Countries, Organised by the Hellenic Parliament and Neon Foundation, curated by Elina Kountouri & Madeleine Grynsztejn
ABO THEATRON. L’arte o la vita, Castello di Rivoli museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Rivolli, Torino
Face à Archimboldo, Cetnre Pompidou, Metz
Io dico Io- I say I, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, Rome

2020
Are povera: Italian Landscape, Metropolitan Museum, Manila

2019
“Landlord Colors: On Art, Economy, and Materiality,” Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Entrare nell Opera, St. Etienne, Musèe d’art moderne et contemporain, Vaduz, Lichtenstein

2018
Art Povera: Homage to Amalfi ‘68, Philadelfia Museum of Art, Philadelphia,       Pennsylvania
A Mind of Winter, Chesa Planta, Samedan, Switzerland

2017
É solo un inizio. 1968, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Rome
Margherita Stein: Rebel With a Cause, Magazzino Italian Art, Cold Spring, New York
Plages, Campoli Presti, London

2016
Identity Revisted, The Warehouse, Dallas, Texas
Revolution in the Making: Abstract Sculpture by Women, 1947-2016, Hauser Wirth & Schimmel, Los Angeles, California

2015
TUTTTOVERO, Fondazione Merz and Castello di Rivoli, Turino, Italy
Ennesima. An Exhibition of Seven Exhibitions on Italian Art (Ennesima: Una  mostra di sette mostre sull’arte italiana), Triennale di Milano, Milan

2014
Group Exhibition, Bernier-Eliades Gallery, Athens
Looking Back: The Eighth White Columns Annual,” White Columns, New  York

2013
Mind is Outer Space, Casey Kaplan, New York
Il Palazzo Enciclopedico / The Encyclopedic Palace, curated by  Massimiliano Gioni, The 55th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy

2010
Che fare?, Kunstmuseum, Leichtenstein, Germany

2009
Visage, New Galerie de France, Paris
Orientamento,Galleria Cardi, Pietrasanta, Italy

2008
Revolutions – Forms that Turn, Biennale of Sydney
Life on Mars, 55 th Carnegie International , Pittsburgh

2007
Makers and Modelers, Gladstone Gallery, New York

2006
Wrestle, CCS Bard /Hessel Museum of Art, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York

2001
Zero to Infinity: Arte Povera 1962-1972, Tate Modern, London, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, Hirschhorn Museum, Washington, DC

1998
Galleria Christian Stein, Milan, “Marisa Merz, Domenico Bianchi”

1995
Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, “Die italienische Metamorphose, 1943-1968”

1994
Guggenheim Museum, New York, “The Italian Metamorphosis,1943-1968”

1989
Messehallen, Cologne, “Bilderstreit”
Deichtorhallen Hamburg, “Einleuchten”

1988
Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin, “Zeitlos”
Biennale di Venice, Venice

1987
Museé Saint Pierre Art Contemporain, Lyon, “Octobre des Arts”

1986
Gallery Christian Stein, Turin, “Fideliter, 1966-1986”
Arnhem, “Sonsbeek”
Städtische Kunsthalle, Düsseldorf, “SkulpturSein”

1985
Palazio Velazques, Palazio de cristal, Madrid, “Del arte povera a 1985” P.S.1., New York, “The KNOT Arte Povera at P.S.1”
Parc Lullin, Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva, “Promenades”
Messepalast, Vienna, “De Sculptura”
Kunsthaus Zürich, Zürich, “Spuren, Skulpturen, und Monumente ihrer praezisen Reise”

1984
Gallery Albert Baronian, Bruxelles
Castello di Rivoli, Turin, “Ouverture/Arte Contemporanea”
Mole Antonelliana, Turin, “Coerenza in coerenza: dall’Arte Povera al 1984”

1982
Kassel, “Documenta 7”

1981
Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, “Identité Italienne: l’art en Italie depuis 1959”

1980
Geneva, “Chambres d’Amis”
Biennale di Venice, Venice

1979
Castello Colonna, Genezzano, “Le stanze”

1978
Gallery Franco Toselli (with Mario Merz), Milan

1977
“Arte in Italia 1960-1977”, Gallery Civica d’Arte Moderna,Turin Galleria Salvatore Milan

1976
Gallery Franz Paludetto- LP220, Turin, “Autori vari per Europa-America”

1975
Mostra per le fabbriche occupate, Gallery Multipli, Turin

1974
Gallery Franco Toselli (with Mario Merz), Milan

1970
III Biennale della Pittura Giovane, Museo Civico, Bologna, “Gennaio 70”

1969
roporto di Ciampino, Rome
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, “Op Losse Schroeven”
Museum Folkwang, Essen, “Verbogene Strukturen”

1968
Arte Povera + Azione Povera, Arsenali dell’Antica
Republica, Amalfi; Centro Studio Colautti, Salerno

1967
Piper Club, Turin
Desposito d’Arte presente, Turin

 

Monographs and General Art Books

2010
“Che fare?,” Kunstmuseum, Leichtenstein, Germany

2007
Tomassoni, Italo, Anni Settanta: Artisti italiani fra cronaca e mito, Editori Laterza, Bari, Italy

1997
“Arte Italiana Ultimi Quarant’anni. I Materiali”, Galleria d’arte Moderna, Bologne
“Citt à Natura”, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome

1995
“Die Italienische Metamorphose 1943-1968”, Kunstmuseum, Wolfsburg
Solo Exhibition, exhibition catalogue, Dieter Schwarz, Winterthur, Kunstmuseum

1994
Solo Exhibition, exhibition catalogue by Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, and Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York
“Italiana. From Arte povera to Transavanguardia”, exhibition catalogue, Nicaf, Yokohama
“The Italian Metamorphosis 1943-1968”, exhibition catalogue, Guggenheim Museum, New York
Corgnati, Martina; Poli, Francesco, “Dizionario d’Arte Contemporanea”, Milan, Italy

1993
“In viaggion verso Citera”, exhibition catalogue, Casin ò d’Inverno, Venice

1992
“La Collection M.me Christian Stein: Un regard sur l’art Italien”, exhibition catalogue by Le Nouveau Mus é e, Lyon
“Avanguardie in Piemonte 1960-1990”, exhibition catalogue by Palazzo Cuttica, Alessandria
Semin, Didier, “L’Arte povera”, Centre Pompidou, Paris

1991
“Ottanta Novanta”, exhibition catalogue by Monastero die Benedettini, Montreal, Canada
Kurzmeyer, Roman, “Visionare Schweiz”, exhibition catalogue, Kunsthaus, Z ürich

1989
Meyer-Thoss, Christine, “Bilderstreit: Wwiderspruch, Einheit und Fragment in der Kunst seit 1960”, Museum Ludwig e Rheinhallen, Köln

1986
“Chambres d’amis”. Exh. cat. Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Gand. Essay by J. Hoet.

1985           Merz, Marisa, “Spuren, Skulpturen und Monumente iher prazisen Reise”, Kunsthaus, Zürich
Celant, Germano, “Arte Povera. Storie e protagonisti/Arte Povera. Histories and Protagonists”, Electa, Milan
“Il museo sperimentale di Torino: Arte italiana degli anni Sessanta nelle collezioni della Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna”, Fabbri, Milan
“L’Italie d’aujourd’hui / Italia oggi: Aspects de la création contemporaine de 1970 à 1985”. Exh. cat. Villa Arson, Centre national d’art contemporain, Nice. Essay by O. Calabresse.
“The Knot, arte Povera at PS One, Umberto Allemandi & Co. Exh. cat. PS1, New York. Essay by G. Celant.
“Del Arte Povera a 1985.” Exh. cat., Palacio de Cristal y Palacio Velasquez. Parque del Retiro, Madrid. Essays by G. Celant , C. Gimenez.

1984
“Coerenza in coerenza. D’all arte povera al 1984”. Arnaldo Mondadori Editore. Exh. cat. Mole Antonelliana, Turino. Essay by G. Celant.
“Il modo italiano”. Exh. cat. Newport Harbor Museum, Los Angeles. Essays by G. Celant, P. Luigi Tazzi
“Overtures”. Exh. /cat. Museo d’ arte contemporanea, Castello di rivoli, Torino. Ed. Umberto Allemandi & Co. Essay by R. Fuchs
Il museo Sperimentale di Torino. Arte italiana degli anni sessanta nelle collezioni della Galleria Civica d’ Arte Moderna” Fabbri Editori, Milan.” Essay by R. Maggio Serra.
“Spuren, Skulpturen, und Monumente ihrer präzisen, Reise.” Exh. cat. Kunsthaus Zurich. Essay by H. Szeemann

1983
Gr üterich, Marlis, “Eine Kunst-Geschichte in Turin 1965-1983”, Torino

1982
Bonito Oliva, Achille, “Mostra d’arte. XV Rassegna Internazionale d’Arte”, Acireale Turistico-Termale
“Dokumenta VII”. Kassel. Essays by R.H. Fuchs, G. Celant, J. Gachnang, W. Nikkels, G. Storck, C. van Bruggen
“Avanguardia. Transavanguardia”. Exh. cat. of Mura Aureliana, Rome. Essay by A. Bonito Oliva

1981
“Identité Italienne. L’Art en Italie depuis 1959”. Exh. cat. Centro DI Florenz, Centre Georges Pompidou Paris. Essays by G. Celant, A. Asor Rosa, M. Calvesi, C. Lonzi.
“Linee della ricerca artistica in Italia 1960-1980”. Exh. cat. Palazzo delle esposizioni, De Luca Editore, Rome, Feb. – April. Essay by F. Menna

1980
Celant, Germano, “Arte e critica”, exhibition catalogue, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, Rome
“L’arte degli anni settanta”, exh. cat. of the XXXIX th International Venice Biennale. Essays by H. Szeemann

1979
“Le Stanze”, exhibition catalogue, Centro Di, Florence
Mussat Sartor, Paolo, “Fotografo 1968-1978. Arte e artisti in Italia”, Torino, Stampatori
Barilli, Renato, “Informale, oggetto, comportamento”, volume 2, Milan, Feltrinelli

1978
“Marisa Merz: 1977-79”, solo exhibition catalogue by Galleria Toselli, Milan, Italy
“Scatola d’Amore”. Galeter Centro Arte, Adro (Brescia), June-July. Essay by R. Loda
“Mostra d’Arte, XII Rassegna Internazionale d’Arte, Acireale Turistico-Termale, Nov.-Dec

1977
“Arte in Italia 1960-1977. D’all opera al coinvolgimento
L’opera : simboli e immagini. La Linea analitica.” Exh. cat. Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna, Turin, May-Sept. Essays by R. Barilli, A. Del Guercio, F. Menna.

1976
Bonito Oliva, Achille, “Europa-America. The Different Avant-gardes”, Deco Press, Milan
“Actualités internationales 72-76”; Cat. of the XXXVII th International Venice Biennale. Essays by S. Finzi Pasquali

1973
“La ricerca estetica dal 1960 al 1970”, Palazzo delle espositioni, Cuadrinal Nacionale d’Arte, Rome. Essays by F. Menna

1972
“Personna 2”; Cat. of the XXXVIth Internatinal Venice Biennale

1971
Barilli, Renato, “Dall’oggetto al comportamento”, Ellegi, Rome

1970
“Gennaio 70, Comportamenti, progetti, mediazioni”, Ed. Alfa; Cat. of the III.rd Biennale internazionale della giovane pittura, Museo Civico, Bologna. Essays by R. Barillu, M. Calvesi, T. Trini

1969
“Op Losse Schroeven”, Exh. cat., Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. Essays by W.A.L. Beeren, P. Gilardi, H. Szeemann
“Verbogene Strukturen”, Exh. cat., Museum Folkwang, Essen. Essays by d. Honisch, W.A.L. Beeren.

Selected Solo Exhibition Catalogs/ Artist books

1995           “Marisa Merz”. Kunstmuseum Winterthur, texts by Mario Merz, Dieter Schwarz, Tommaso Trini

1994           “Marisa Merz”. Paris: Editions du Centre Pompidou

1991           “Ottanta Novanta”. Exh. cat. Monastero dei Benedettini, Montréal. Essay by F. Gallo

1990           “Einleuchten, Will, Vorstell und Simul in HH”. Exh. cat. Deichtorhallen, Hambourg. Nov. 1989 – Feb. 1990. Essay by H. Szeemann

1989           “Marisa Merz, Bilderstreit, Widerspruch, Einheit und Fragment in der Kunst seit 1960”. Exh. cat. Rheinhallen der Kölner Messe, Cologne.

1984           “Marisa Merz. Il disegno in dialogo con la terra”. Galerie Albert Baronian, Bruxelles – Le Zoute

1983           “Marisa Merz”, Galerie Konrad Fischer, Dusseldorf

1982           “Spelt from Sibyl’s Leaves: Exploration in italian Art” by L. Ballerini Electa, Milan

1980           “Interno di Mariza Merz”, Arte e Critica,1980, De Luca Editore , Galleria nazionale d’arte moderna, Rome, July – Sept. Essays by Celant G., Trini T.

 

Selected group Exhibition Catalogues

2008
Christov-Bakargiev, Carolyn, 2008 Biennale of Syney: Revolutions-Forms That Turn, Thames & Hudsion, Sydney

1993
“In viaggui verso citera”. Cá Vendramin Calergi,. Exh cat. of the XVL International Venice Biennale. Essay by F. Pasini

1992
“Avanguardie in Piemonte 1960-1990”. Exh. cat. Palazzo Cuttica, Alessandria. Essays by M. Bandini, M. Vescovo.
“Dokumenta 9”. Kassel. June – July. Essay by J. Hoet.
“La collection Christian Stein, un regard sur l’art italien”. Le Nouveau Musée/Institut, Villeurbanne, Art Edition, Lyon. Essay by Christian                               Stein.

1991
“Ottanta Novanta”. Exh. cat. Monastero dei Benedettini, Montreal. Essay by F. Gallo

1990
“Einleucten, Will, Vorstel und Simul in H. H.”. Exh. cat. Deichtorhallen, Hamburg. Nov – 1989- Feb. 1990. Essay by H. Szeemann

1989
“Marisa Merz, Bilderstreit, Widerspruch, Einheit und Fragment in der Kunst seit 1960”. Exh. cat. Rheinhallen der Kölner Messe, Cologne.                               Essay by C. Meyer-Thoss.

1988
“Il Luogo degli artisti”. Exh. cat. of the XLIII th International Venice Biennale. Fabbri Editori. Essay by G. Carandente

1987
“Skulptursein”. Exh. Cat. Städtische Kunsthalle Dusseldorf, Dec 1986 – Feb. 1987. Essay by H. Szeemann.
“Turin 1965-1987 de l’Arte Povera dans les collections française”. Exh. cat. Musée de Savoisien, Chambéry

Selected Articles and Reviews

2007
Panicelli, Ida, “Marisa Merz, Madre,” ARTFORUM, Summer 2007, pg. 516

1997
Massimo Minini, “Basel, Venice, Munster, Kassel”, Tema Celeste, p.113

1996
Macadam, Barbara A. “Here’s Looking at Us,” Artnews, October, pg. 130-33

1995
Princenthal, Nancy. “Marisa Merz at Barbara Gladstone”, Art in America, February, p.92
Schwendener, Martha. “Marisa Merz. Barbara Gladstone”, Flash Art, June, p.111

1994
Risaliti, Sergio. “Marisa Merz”, Flash Art (Italian), January
Smith, Roberta. “Marisa Merz”, New York Times, 25 November
Pasini, Francesca. “Marisa Merz. Centre Georges Pompidou”, Artforum, May, p.109

1992
“Documenta 9”, Flash Artnews, Milan, n.166, October.
Celant, Germano, “Marisa’s Swing”, Artforum, New York, Summer, pp. 97-101

1989
Magnani, G., “Verso l’Arte Povera”, Flash Art, n.146, May-June
Soutif, Daniel, “La famille pauvre”, Artstudio, n.13, Paris, pp. 6-9

1986
Tazzi, Pier Luigi, “What is today’s sculpture? Three views”, Artforum International, September, pp.149-150
Celant, Germano. “Art Pauvre”, Libération, Paris, September 26

1985
Cora, Bruno, “Figure”, A.E.I.U.O., n.12, Rome, January 13, pp. 70-73

1984
Zacharopoulos, Denys, “Arte Povera Today”, Flash Art International, Milan, March, pp. 52-57
La Palma, M., “Paradoxes of Association and Object: Marisa Merz”, Artweek, New York, March 10
Rogozinsky, Luciana, “La position crépusculaire: notes sur l’art italien d’aujourd’hui”, Parachute, n.34, Montréal, March/April/May, pp. 5-17

1980
Bandini, Mirella, “Immagini della natura e invenzioni neoclassiche”, Avanti!, Rome, September 7
Celant, Germano, “Twenty years of art in Italy”, ArtPress, n.37, Paris, May, pp. 8-9
Rogozinsky, Luciana, “Marisa Merz”, Flash Art, Milan, n.98-99

1978
Ferrari, Corinna, “L’Età del Rame”, Data, n.31, Milan, March-May
Licitra Ponti, Lisa, “Marisa Merz”, Domus, n.579, Milan, February, pp. 48-49
Merz, Mario, “Da dove viene il rame ? Una mostra di Marisa Merz”, ibid., p. 49
Toselli, Franco, “L’arte fuori luogo”, ibid., p. 51
Loda, R., “Scatola d’amore”, Galeter Centro Arte, Adro, June/July

1977
Celant, Germano. “Una Scarpetta di nylon con tanti chiodi”, La Repubblica, Rome, n.4-5, December

1976
Brizio, Giorgio Sebastiano, “Torino da Persano. Concettuali per le lotte operaie”, Avanti!, Rome, January 22
Bonito Oliva, Achille, “Process, Concept and Behaviour in Italian Art”, Studio International, vol. 191, n.979, London, January/February, pp. 3-10
Sauzeau Boetti, Anne-Marie, “Negative Capability as Practice in Women’s Art”, ibid.
Vergine, Lea, “Italian Art Now”, ibid.

1975
Boetti, Anne-Marie, “Lo specchio ardente”, Data, n. 18, Milan, September/October, pp. 50-55
Trini Tommaso, “Arte e storia dell’arte”, Data, n.16/17, Milan, July/August, pp. 49-53

1974
Celant, Germano, “Piccole cose, fatti personali”, Domus, n.534, Milan, May

1970
Volpi Orlandini, Marisa, “L’art pauvre”, Opus international, Paris, n.16, March, pp. 39-43

1969
van Elk, Gerald, “Amalfi : Arte Povera in azione povere”, MuseumJournal, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam ed., n.1
Millet, C., “Petit Lexique de l’Art Pauvre”, LesLettresfran ç aises, Paris, June 4
Trini, Tommaso, “New Alphabet for Body and Matter”, Domus, n.470, Milan, January, pp. 45-51

1968
van Elk, Gerald, “Amalfi: Arte povera in azioni povere”, Museum Journal, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam ed., n. 1
Calvesi, Maurizio, “Lo spazio, la vita e l’azione”. L’Expresso, Rome, September 15
Apollonio, Umbro, “Deposito d’arte presente a Torino”, Flash Art, n. 7, Milan, March/April
Trini, Tommaso, “Marisa Merz”, ibid.

1967
Celant Germano, “Arte povera. Appunti per una guerriglia”, Flash Art, n. 5, Milan, November/December
Trini, Tommaso, “Marisa Merz: una mostra alla Galleria Sperone”, Domus, n. 454, p. 52

 

Selected Writings by the Artist

1985
“Senza titolo, 1982”, A.E.I.O.U., n. 12, Rome, pp. 68-69

1978
“Legni abbandonati sul campo”, Domus, n. 579, Milan, February, p. 50

1976
“L’apprendimento dell’artigianato calzolaio per il poeta Lenz”, La Citta di Riga, n.1, p. 42

1975
“Lo Specchio ardente”, Data, n.18, Milan, September/October