Curators Vincenzo de Bellis and Matilde Guidelli-Guidi discuss Mario Merz’s exhibition history at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, where the artist had his first solo show in the United States in 1972. Accompanied by rarely seen materials from the Walker’s archives—including preparatory drawings, installation views, and footage from a 1972 Event by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company staged around Merz’s sculptures. 

This conversation is in conjunction with Merz’s presentation on long–term view at Dia Beacon and the restoration of Senza titolo (Untitled, 1996–97), a site-specific work created by the artist for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.   

Vincenzo de Bellis is curator and associate director of programs, visual arts, at the Walker Art Center, where he most recently supervised the restoration of Mario Merz’s Senza titolo (Untitled, 1996–97). 

Matilde Guidelli-Guidi is Dia’s associate curator. She recently organized Mario Merz’s exhibition at Dia Beacon, which opened for long-term view on November 20, 2020.