In 1946 in Buenos Aires, Carmelo Arden Quin articulated the ideas of the MADI movement in his MADI Manifesto. Some say the letters MADI stand for Movimiento Artistico De Invencion. Others say the letters MADI stand for MAterialismo DIalectismo (Dialectical Materialism). Still others say it is taken from letters in the name CarMelo ArDen QuIn.

Whatever the origins of the name, the movement has combined complexity and uniqueness with playfulness and whimsy. Focusing on geometric shapes that spill out of the traditional frame, and articulated and mobile structures, MADI artists refuse to make the object representative, but rather focus on the object and the colors themselves. One does not have to look for meaning behind the art, but rather enjoy each piece for itself.

Today there are MADI artists in many countries. France, Italy, and Hungary all have strong MADI organizations, with whole colonies of practicing artists. There are MADI artists in Argentina, Japan, Spain, and the United States. Several major MADI artists were born in Uruguay, but other South American countries such as Venezuela, where Herrera was born have contributed as well.