Living Sculpture, Turin, 1966. Courtesy Fondazione Merz.
As the daughter of this extraordinary woman, I can’t not mention Marisa Merz, both as an artist and also as a mother. I was guided and inspired by her quiet determination and her energy. Often going against what was rational, she lived by her own rules. These are qualities that, in addition to other things, I consider fundamental to be able to achieve one’s goals. Beatrice Merz, president, Fondazione Merz, Torino, Italy
Belgian philosopher Isabelle Stengers in 1997. Photo by Louis MONIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.
The writing of Belgian philosopher Isabelle Stengers has been really influential in the thinking in my own work. I find her work provocative. It cuts through the illusions of our age to find alternative truths and gives me a sense of purposefulness. I think her concepts and writings are crucial for our time.