Curator | Paolo Colombo

NEON, in collaboration with Fondazione Merz, presents an exhibition of the work of Mario Merz, one of the most significant artists of the Arte Povera movement.

Numbers are Prehistoric is the Italian artist’s first exhibition to be presented at a Greek museum. Curated by Paolo Colombo, the survey exhibition explores the multifaceted practice of Mario Merz. Presenting never before exhibited works, Numbers are prehistoric balances visual art with written expression using Merz’s trademark lines, numbers and words.

The exhibition title, Numbers are Prehistoric, derives from Merz’s book I Want to Write a Book Right Now (1989) describing the impulses that prompted him to dedicate his life to art and politics. It suggests that numbers existed before history and will evolve to infinity in parallel with the development of the earth and the universe. By taking place at a crucial moment in Greece’s history, when notions of necessity and primary needs are being re-evaluated, the exhibition offers the opportunity to re-examine our beliefs and ideas through the varied examples of Merz’s oeuvre.