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The Italian sculptor and painter began his career in the 50s, in Turin under the influence of the then dominant Informal Art style. After, in the mid 50s, having gone through a certain crisis in his work, Merz rejected the successive reproduction of images, replacing these traditional methods with the use of objects such as bottles or waterproof cloaks. In 1967-68, with the appearance of Arte Povera in Turin, he likewise rejected the use of these objects turning to objects which he himself produced, according to his needs. Merz moved increasingly towards conceptual and dematerialised art in which the mental aspect was more important than physical support, although both were ever present in the artist's work. In the 80s, he showed a renewed interest in colour, image and manual values through which he recovered picturesque aspects. He had favoured these at the beginning of his career, and they were now revived through conceptual abstract schemes and the constant use of neon. His objects and installations combine aspects of concrete and physical art with the immaterial aims of Conceptual Art. In 1972 and 1982, he took part in Documenta 5 and 7, in Kassel and, in 1976, at the Venice Biennale. In 1992, he returned to Kassel to take part in Documenta 9.

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