Artist Document
This handwritten riddle by Harald Szeeman on Mario Merz' key topic - not a house, not a sculpture, not a picture - is reproduced in Parkett 15, for which Merz made his etching depicting the riddle’s solution.

The riddle’s translation in English:     What is it?   I t’s not a house  It’s not a sculpture  It’s not a picture  Pictorial vehicle sometimes  Scriptorial vehicle often  Facade never  It is not merely human warmth in coldness  It is not only radia…

The riddle’s translation in English:

What is it? I t’s not a house It’s not a sculpture It’s not a picture Pictorial vehicle sometimes Scriptorial vehicle often Facade never It is not merely human warmth in coldness It is not only radiation in warmth It is profane and sacred On the ground it stands, above and inbetween It performs miracles in space, darkness and light Over-all, corner-less What is it?

 
Parkett 15 Merz Mario.jpg

Parkett Cover
Mario Merz’s work on the cover of Parkett no. 15

Parkett_15.jpg