Neto is a good name for an artist who has done the more for nylon netting than anyone since whoever it was who invented women's tights - and with considerably more imagination! Basically Ernesto's world is constructed out of slot-together wooden struts (often vaguely resembling bones) over which is stretched a lot of nylon netting weighted down with stones...
...and joined to other structures with stocking-like tubes that resemble connective tissue.
Elsewhere, his netting divides rooms creating new levels only visible from viewing platforms that allow head-and-shoulder access into these upper spaces...
That is certainly true and visitors spend a very happy hour or more wandering through Neto's mysteriously secretive environment and, last weekend, that included David, Sophie and myself...
Neto's work has been described as "beyond abstract minimalism". His installations are large, soft, biomorphic sculptures that fill an exhibition space that viewers can touch, poke, and even sometimes walk on or through. These are made of white, stretchy, stocking-like material -- amorphous forms stuffed with Styrofoam pellets or, on occasion, aromatic spices.
In some installations, he has also used this material to create translucent scrims that transform the space's walls and floor. His sculptures can be regarded as expression of traditional abstract form, but in their interaction with the viewer, they work on another level as well.
And here are some of the things we photographed...
And here's Sophie photographing David...
And I looked on and laughed...
The Edges of the World continues on show until 5 September. And Google has a great many (and varied) images of Ernesto Neto's work.
And you'll find more photos from our visit on my flickr photoset, Arty-facts.
Images: Brian Sibley & David Weeks © 2010. Photographs of David & Brian by Polkadotsoph © 2010
I think Wikipedia got it just about right. Forget the high blown rhetoric and just enjoy the experience, I say. I have often thought that if an artist wanted to describe their output then the 'work' doesn't - work. By using media, other than words, as a means of expression is fine but you really don't need the artist, or anyone else to describe an installation piece in words. The pictures are the next best thing to actually being 'in it'. I enjoyed very much.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! It looks as though it ought to be a set for C.S. Lewis' "Out of the silent planet"...
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very interesting to visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame I was just too late to go with you! Certainly looks like a worthwhile experience.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you happen to be there and notice you've got a ladder in your tights/stockings...
This "art" remind me one of those sets of 60`s Star Trek.
ReplyDeleteDavid – Well said! My own response to installation art is always along those lines. 'How' (rather than 'what') does it make me feel. Of course, there were extensive notes by the artist in the accompanying booklet, but after a couple of sentences, I decided not to read any more - in case I stopped enjoying the experience of being there!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne – Well, I did see several people there who might have been hrossa who mistakenly thought they were back on Malacandra...
Steven – Yes, it was. I love exhibitions that stretch my responses to things and this stretched them –– along with a lot of nylon netting!
SharonM – Funny you should say that because there was an emergency exit at one point as we made our way through the tunnels and it had a dangling end of thread that if pulled would have unravelled like the worst run in a pair of tights -– in order to provide immediate escape!
Eudora – The only difference was that these weren't meant to look realistic! :)
lovely day... I will never look at tights in the same way again...
ReplyDeleteIt was! Thanks for sharing in it. Just thought of an alternative title for this posting: Tight Spot!
ReplyDelete