My first Achromes date from 1957, and are of canvas impregnated with kaolin and glue. In 1959 the seams of the Achromes consisted of machine stitching. In 1960 I make some in cotton wool and expanded polystyrene. I experimented with phosphorescent pigment and with other surfaces soaked in cobalt chloride that would change color with the passage of time. In 1961 I carried on with still more surfaces in straw and plastic and with a series of paintings, also white, made of falls of cotton wool, and then some that were furry like clouds, made of natural or artificial fiber. I also made a rabbit skin sculpture. In 1959 I prepared a series of 45 Bodies of Air (pneumatic sculptures) of maximum diameter 80cm (height including base 120cm) : if the purchaser wished, he could, in addition to the membrane and the base (closed in the small pencil box provided), buy my breath too, in order to conserve it in the membrane.
At the same period I planned a group of spherical bodies of air of approximate diameter 2.50 meters to go in a park. By means of an air compressor these were to pulsate with a slow unsynchronized rhythm of breathing (experimental example with a membrane of small dimensions, 1959). On the same principle I make an architectural proposal of a pneumatically pulsating ceiling and wall. As another scheme for a park I had thought of a cluster of pneumatic cylinders, elongated in shape, like steel, which would vibrate in the blowing of the wind. (As part of the same project there would have been other very high steel which would have produced sounds in the wind).
In 1959-1960 I studied the idea of a moving, autonomous sculpture for outdoors. This mechanical animal would be independent because it would draw its nourishment from nature (solar energy). At night it would shut down and close in on itself. In the day it would move and emit sounds, rays and antennae in order to seek energy and avoid obstacles. It would also have the ability to reproduce itself.
In 1960 I realized an old project: the first sculpture in space. A sphere held suspended by a jet of air. On the same principle I worked on a number of bodies of absolute light : spheroids held up by suitably directed jets of air that turned giddily on their own axes to create a virtual volume.
At the beginning of 1959 I carried out my first lines, at first short, then longer and longer, the longest one I have done to date is 7,200m. (1960 Herning, Denmark). All these lines are placed in sealed containers.
I would also like to draw a white line around the entire Greenwich Meridian!
In 1960 in the course of two manifestations (in Copenhagen and Milan) I consecrated a number of hard-boiled eggs to art by placing my thumb print on them: the public was able to make contact with these works by swallowing the entire exhibition in 70 minutes.
From 1960 onwards I have been selling prints of my right and left thumbs. In 1959 I thought of exhibiting a number of living people (I wanted to enclose and conseve other, dead, bodies in blocks of transparent plastic).
In 1961 I began to sign people for exhibition. I give a certificate of authenticity to accompany these works. In January 1961 -I also constructed the first " magic base ": as long as any person or any object stayed on this base he, or it, was a work of art. I realized a second " magic base " in Copenhagen. The earth is held up by the third one which is of large scale and made of iron standing in the park at Herning (Denmark 1962) : this is the
In the month of May1961, I produced and tinned 90 tins of 'artist's shit ' (30 grams each) naturaly preserved (made in Italy).
Between 1958 and 1960 I prepared a series of 'tables of assessment ' of which eight have been published as lithographs presented in a folder (maps, alphabets, finger prints...).
In the field of music I composed,
in 1961, two 'Aphonie ' the ' aphonia Herning ' (for orchestra and public),
and the ' aphonia Milan ' (heart and breath). At the present moment (1962)
I am studying an electronically controlled labyrinth which will be of use
for psychological tests and brainwashing.
Mr. Manzoni died in his studio on February 6, 1963
(From Piero Manzoni Paintings, reliefs & objects The Tate Gallery - Exhibition of March 20 - May 15, 1974)