Snake stick above entrance door 1964
Kurt Schwitters had an eye for all natural forms which could be used in his work.
The anvil stone below was collected by KS, probably from a local river, and displayed inside the Merz Barn

Detail of the Merzbau 1964
Such truncated views cannot give the viewer much feel for the work.  It has to be seen full scale in Newcastle at the Hatton Gallery - and then viewed in perspective as only one of the features which would have filled the inside of the Barn.

Interior of the Merz Barn 2002
Where the Merz sculpture was removed for transit to Newcastle, there is now a windowed wall.  Some of the original sculpture, or at least that part which was completed by Harry Pierce and Jack Cook [in the style of], can be seen where it continued onto the wall to the right.  Some new construction can be seen.  The original skylight has now gone, but the "stream" which flowed through the Barn in 1947 has gone.

(partial) Transcription p.8:

“But they confirmed nothing about Merz Barn. They actually gave me the money for Hanover or Lysaker.  But I cannot travel, and started in Elterwater, to do still something.  The new Merz Bau is called Merz Barn.  It was previously a barn. There comes a

p.9

Grasroof on it. It lies in a wonderfull scenery.  5 : 5 m. 1, 2. 3. are windows.  4 is a door.  2 shall be the sky window.  The room before 4 is a big room for pictures to store and sell.  5 gets another door.  You see, it is high.  And stands against a hill. Right.  From 4 to 2 are two leading lines.  They lead from the entrance to the light. Than there are two other lines leading to the window 1.  You walk left passing ... o roof down?, looking on it and there are walls to the floor. Over 8 is the wall

p. 8 [double numbering!]

to be decorated.  10 is also a roof, and there are walls to the ceiling. You can walk under this roof.  I start with the wall behind 10, it is very much allready decorated. Wantee and 2 Mr Pierce help me. [sketch Reliefwall] About like this, but quite different. I must do you a sketch in the barn once. But you see, that I here allready started. ...“

p.12:

“I will come once to Lysaker.  But not now.  Perhaps I must [underlined], when they don’t confirm me the money for the Merz Barn. And when I have finished in 2 or 3 years the barn I want to finish also the Merzbau II in Lysaker. ...“

Letter Kurt Schwitters to Ernst, Eve and Bengt Schwitters, 28.9.1947
© Kurt und Ernst Schwitters Stiftung, Hannover
 

Kurt Schwitters suggestions for the future of the Merz Barn
© Kurt und Ernst Schwitters Stiftung, Hannover
 

Suggestions for the aggreement Pierce - Schwitters concerning Merz Barn.

Lend for 50 years.  Either Schwitters or Wantee or Ernst Schwitters. 52£ a year.  In case that this payment does not be realised, in case of death of K S, Mr Pierce or his inheritants try to find an art institution to take the lend over, In case that would not succeed, they can remove the sculptures, Otherwise the 50 years are guaranted.

After these 50 years (1.1.1998) belong all not removable sculptures to

   1. Ernst Schwitters }
   2. Edith Thomas     }              or inheritants.
   3. Harry Pierce       }

That means, if a Museum buys the Merzbarn, the money would be parted among them in 3 parts.

Untill that date, all sculptures shall be kept, when rent is payd.  Kurt Schwitters cannot sell the not removable sculptures alone.  The removable sculptures are allways property of K S or his inheritants.

Over all questions of selling or lending of the Merzbarn after K S death, divide ES, ET, and HP or inheritants equally. In case of equal voices, HP has 2 voices.