Europe was in deep devastation and immense disaster during and after World War II. There was a severe genocide and holocaust, along with towns that were bombed and completely destroyed, that left a vast destruction and despair that was difficult to endure and cope with. In this war, there were more civilians that died than soldiers, with over sixty million lives lost . Europe was in a devastating state of wreck and depression. Many artists that fled during the war began to return once the war ended, but struggled to find a form that could suffice to release their pain. This was the case for many artists who had to serve in the war as well. Post world war II in Europe was when some of the most influential abstract art movements began, such as Art informel and Arte Povera, which brought…show more content… Arte Povera was “critiquing the superstructure of capitalism, invoking class struggle, and questioning the use of value in art” (1). This movement became an important Avant garde movement in Europe that dealt with the use of common materials. The artists that joined this movement believed that modernity was a threat to erase the past they wanted to contrast the new and the old, and escape tradition and to reconnect life and art; they wanted to express unique personal responses. The term was first used by art critic Germano Celant. A vital artist to this movement was Mario Merz. His most infamous pieces are his igloo sculptures. One of his sculptures titled “Giaps Igloo” is made up of sand bags that form the shape of an igloo, and in neon letters reads “If the enemy concentrates, he loses ground; if he scatters, he loses force” . This sculpture was in comment to the Vietnam War, and “condemnation” on how America was involved. Merz definitely commented on politics a lot in his works, and used his sculptures to speak up about his
