Arte Povera, meaning “Poor Art” in Italian, was a radical art movement that emerged in the late 1960s, challenging the commercialization and institutionalization of art. Rejecting traditional artistic materials, Arte Povera artists used raw, everyday objects such as stones, wood, rags, and industrial scraps, transforming them into powerful, thought-provoking installations. This avant-garde approach sought to blur the boundaries between art and life, nature and culture, redefining what could be considered art. The movement reached its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with artists like Mario Merz, Giovanni Anselmo, and Jannis Kounellis gaining international recognition for their experimental works. Their art often explored themes of impermanence, transformation, and the relationship between humans and their environment, embracing a raw and unpolished aesthetic that contrasted sharply with mainstream contemporary art trends. A key moment in Arte Povera’s history was the 1967 exhibition Arte Povera: Im Spazio in Genoa, Italy, which marked the movement’s formal introduction. While it was primarily rooted in Italy, Arte Povera’s influence extended globally, inspiring future generations of artists to experiment with unconventional materials and challenge artistic hierarchies. Even today, Arte Povera remains a powerful and enduring movement, pushing the boundaries of creativity by emphasizing simplicity, spontaneity, and material experimentation. By rejecting consumer-driven aesthetics and embracing the raw essence of artistic expression, Arte Povera continues to inspire artists and audiences to reconsider the nature and purpose of art.