Piero Manzoni's Merda d'Artista turns 60 years old. A project in Milan celebrates it

Sixty years have passed since Piero Manzoni (Soncino, 1933 - Milan, 1963) presented his Merda d’Artista: in May 1961, the great Lombard artist made the 90 famous tins with the title printed in four languages: Merda d’artista, Künstlerscheisse, Merde d’artiste, Artist’s shit. The price is set at the equivalent of the weight (30 grams) in gold. Today, six decades later, in Milan, Casa degli Artisti and Fondazione Piero Manzoni present from Thursday, May 13 to Sunday, May 30, 2021 a special project designed to celebrate 60 years since the creation of Artist’s Shit.

Sixty years later this work is still an object of scandal, curiosity and adoration. It is certainly Piero Manzoni’s best known work: itated in books and films, songs and music videos, this work has been the subject of tributes in the most diverse materials and sizes by other artists. However, it is perhaps a work that has yet to be fully understood. Among the initiatives that the Piero Manzoni Foundation has promoted for this anniversary is a collaboration with Taplab wall covering (a Tuscan company with a strong interest in art) to create a series of ad hoc wall coverings in a project entitled 8PER / Homage to Piero Manzoni’s Merda d’artista. For the occasion, eight very different wall coverings were designed and produced that share with the box the ironic and light spirit we find in those things that manage to express profound ideas with creativity.

The installation, which will exceptionally feature the original little box No. 63, is by architect Valer Palmieri - Nexhibit Design, who had already taken care of the great Piero Manzoni exhibition at Palazzo Reale (curated by Flaminio Gualdoni and Rosalia Pasqualino di Marineo) in 2014. On the occasion, the Manzoni Foundation will donate to Casa degli Artisti 180 gadgets of the Merda d’artista made in 2013 that will be available to the public as a reward following a donation to the Casa. Finally, on Wednesday, May 26, the new book published by Carlo Cambi Editore and produced in collaboration with the Piero Manzoni Foundation, entirely dedicated to Merda d’artista, will be presented with an in-person event. The volume, in four languages, hosts four essays by Luca Bochicchio, Flaminio Gualdoni, Rosalia Pasqualino di Marineo and Marco Senaldi.

Piero Manzoni's Merda d'Artista turns 60 years old. A project in Milan celebrates it

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