Silences

Beginning in 1968, the archetypal form of the igloo constitutes the main theme of Mario Merz’s work, major representative of Arte Povera. Presented for the first time in the exhibition ”Che Fare?” at the Attico Gallery of Rome in February 1969, Igloo con Albero is constructed from a metal tube frame in half spheres dressed in broken glass with imprecise joints. Dead branches, symbol of life ending, protrude unevenly from it. When used together this diverse material creates “striations”, according to Merz, allowing him to tackle the structure’s vividness in space, to oppose the full and the empty, opacity and transparency.

Igloo con Albero, 1969/1991
(Igloo with Tree)
Branches, iron, glass and clay; 194 x 198 cm,
CAPC collection – musée d’Art contemporain, Bordeaux

© Adagp, Paris 2009

Milan, 1925 – Turin, 2003