At the temporary space in OsramHöfe in Berlin-Wedding Galerie Max Hetzler is pleased to announce the exhibition of Ernesto Neto, From Sebastian to Olivia.
On view will be an organic overarching concept, engaging with the idea of the simultaneity of internal and external structures, linking biology and architecture with social interaction in Neto’s formal vocabulary. The title of the installation, From Sebastian to Olivia, makes clear the issue of a condensed spatial world: linking through the space the two opposing poles with both an organic-sensual and a social atmosphere.
"I am sculpture and think as sculpture", Neto says, thus describing his view that sculpture is a living organism that transgresses all limitations.
The artist shows this blurring of boundaries alongside diffuse light and scent components with four stairways, a viewing platform, a swing, stools, sculptures, Naves objects, as well as four spice drawings and a colourful wall piece. In the space that appears like an organic world of membranes, the objects link the various levels of space and significance to one another. Each element can be understood as an individual piece and a component of the work as a whole.
Like a taut inner skin, transparent Lycra divides the space into two layers that remain linked to one another by several openings. From the four stairways and the viewing platform, one can look across the upper level and down to the lower level, as if through a membrane of tissue.
For the first time, Neto presents sculptures made of light MDF material that seems to have been assembled with components of what appears to be an oversized children's construction set. Neto made stools and several animal-shaped sculptures using this assembly system. With these oversized toy building components, Neto 'de-hierarchizes' art by turning toys into sculpture. With the stools and Naves on the other hand, the artist is pointing to situations between lying and standing, sensation and beholding.
The wall work(s) of colourful cotton stripes from the Dry Color Series are reminiscent of cell colonies growing out of the wall. The colourful line marks the organic boundary distinction between membranes as well as a painterly line. The work which combines sculptural elements with textile can be viewed as painting and wall relief.
The four drawings equally expand the boundaries of the medium. By throwing spices across the paper surface, powdery traces are left behind that exude a scent, surpassing the two-dimensionality of the surface to have a multi-dimensional impact on the surrounding space, fully involving the beholder's senses.
Ernesto Neto is sceptical about the meaning of art and whatever is declared to be art, and attempts in his installations to create social spaces and associations by using the human body, everyday materials, surfaces, and structures.
Ernesto Neto was born in 1964 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), where he lives and works. This is his second exhibition at Galerie Max Hetzler. He has been featured in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group shows, including the Panthéon, Paris (2006); Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh (2006); MCA, Chicago (2006); Malmö Konsthall, Malmö (2006); Daros Foundation, Zurich (2006); MoMA, New York (2005); TBA 21, Vienna (2005); MCA, Chicago (2005); Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego (2004); MoCA Los Angeles (2003); Kunsthalle Basel (2002); 49th Venice Biennale (2001); Centro Galego de Arte Contemporaneo, Santiago de Compostela, Spain (2001); ICA, London (2000); Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid (1999); Serpentine Gallery, London (1997); Museo de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (1992).
On view in the Zimmerstrasse space:
Bridget Riley ( until October 27th )
starting November 3rd Sarah Morris Chinatowns ( until December 22nd )