This is the first comprehensive scholarly book on Piero Manzoni's "Merda d'artista (Artist's Shit)", one of the most provocative and misunderstood works of contemporary art. Often compared to Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" (1917), Manzoni's work has been both scandalous and influential, marking a turning point in 1960s conceptualism. The book presents the latest research on "Merda d'artista", revealing its hidden meanings and stories, all verified. Drawing from multiple disciplines, including Art History, Philosophy, Sociology, Chemistry, and Economics, the book compiles papers from an international conference held in Verona, Italy, in March 2023. Organized by the Fondazione Piero Manzoni and the University of Verona, this work summarizes years of research on this iconic work, part of which available on the website "merdadartista.org." It is designed to introduce an international audience to the profound impact and significance of Manzoni's controversial art.
