Exclusive Look into Piero Manzoni's Exhibit

Have you heard of the Milanese artist, Piero Manzoni? Well, you are about to because WhereMilan provided Anna, Alessandra, Joy and myself with press passes to the grand opening of Manzoni's Palazzo Reale exhibition! (A perk that comes with working for a tourism publication.)

Piero Manzoni (Image: Timeout.com)

Born in 1933, Manzoni lived only 30 more years until his death in 1963, due to a heart attack. During that time, he was an extreme benefactor of the avant-garde movement. Members of this movement had a tendency to experiment with various techniques and materials bringing new and innovative ideas to the art scene. Manzoni...now he was famous for introducing the world to a style of work called achrome. Achrome is created mainly out of a white, colorless rough gesso and/or karolin compound that is placed on a surface and left to dry. The outcome was not a work of art created by a self-imposed process but was created by the art itself. Here is one example of his achromes.

Achrome by Manzoni

The next Manzoni work I pondered about was titled "Linee". Inside the cardboard tube, was a scroll containing a simple, black line that went from end to end. Individuals were given the opportunity to buy these labeled tubes complete with Manzoni's autograph, the work's description and the length of the scroll. Next, it was up to the buyer to decide whether or not to open the tube.

Manzoni's "Linee"

"Magical Base" is where Manzoni presents a pedestal shaped platform as if it was meant for a statue. In fact, it was meant for a statue....a living statue. Here he would have participants stand on the specified area indicated by the two footprints; therefore, turning the actual individual into an working art. Manzoni then applied his signature to the skin of the subject.

"Magical Base" by Manzoni

Another of his most famous concepts is using the human body in an artful way. Not only did Manzoni sell a kit containing a balloon and instructions where the buyer could create the intended art work, but  he also sold hard boiled eggs with his thumbprint representing his signature. It was then at the buyer's discretion to decide if they wanted to eat the Manzoni's boiled egg art or not.

"Uova con Impronta" by Manzoni

In addition to selling eggs with his thumbprint and his breath, he also sold "Artist's Shit". These cans are probably some of his most famous works. In 2008, "Artist's Shit" can # 83 sold for 97,000 Pounds.

Artit's Shit by Manzoni

Overall, the Piero Manzoni exhibition at the Palazza Reale in Milan comes in second out of the three exhibits I've seen there; slightly beating out Andy Warhol. Thanks WhereMilan for this amazing experience!