• Brazilian contemporary artist
• Born in 1964

Ernesto Neto’s works explores constructions of social space and the natural world by inviting physical interaction and sensory experience. Though his works, usually site specific and interactive, lack a sense of context and generally considered minimalist, Neto’s large-scale sculptures and installations differ through the interactive and intense olfactory qualities. Neto comes from a generation of Brazilian artists in the 1950s and 60s that followed Neo-concretism, a movement that rejected the pure rationalist approach of concrete art and embraced a more phenomenological and less scientific art. Neo-concretism aims to disassemble the limitations of the object, merging art and life together which led to developments in participatory and immersive art. This is seen in Neto’s work as his tactile and biomorphic structures takes inspiration from the natural world and life and creates new environments that explores the boundaries of the physical and social space.

The range of media he uses vary from stretchy poly-amide textiles, nylon, styrofoams, knitted crochet, stockings and other textiles to create his heavily-physical interactive installations, Furthermore, his structures often draw the olfactory sense through the use and play of scents such as aromatic spices, candies and sand. He also plays a lot with the height and composition of the space, having netting separate and cut into the space, whilst pendulous sculptures hang from the ceiling. This playful construction of the environment makes viewers more spatially- aware and draw attention to the body within the space.

“I believe in the sensual body, and it is through the movement of such body-minds that we connect the things in this world, in life—the way we touch, the way we feel, the way we think and the way we deal.”

– Ernesto Neto

I like his work because it demands participation and interaction from its viewers. His work targets all senses, even with smells, using spices like cumin and turmeric etc. And he uses material very simply but in a way that completely changes the space. I would to see one of his large-scale installations up close one day, and to be able to interact with the work and play within the space that is created. Especially his bigger pieces that can be climbed upon and is suspended over the floor. Its like a giant playground for adults, meant to be enjoyed and experienced.

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