Cildo Meireles Retrospective Traverses Political and Poetic Terrains
In the January 2010 issue of art press n°363, Paulo Herkenhoff examines a significant retrospective of Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles, titled "bifurcations." This exhibition initially took place at Tate Modern from 2008 to 2009, then traveled to Museo universitario de arte contemporáneo in Mexico City from July 4, 2009, to January 10, 2010, and is set to be displayed at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto from March 27 to June 27, 2010. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1948, Meireles explores themes of economics and history through his work. Notable pieces include "Cross of the South" (1969–1970), "Mission/Missions" (1987), and "Insertions into Ideological Circuits" (1970), alongside critiques of capitalism like "Money Tree" (1969) and "Tiradentes" (1970). Herkenhoff highlights Meireles' political activism and his connections to Brazilian neoconcretism.
Key facts
- Cildo Meireles retrospective 'bifurcations' reviewed in art press n°363 (January 2010)
- Exhibition at Tate Modern (2008–2009), then MUAC Mexico City (July 4, 2009 – Jan 10, 2010), then AGO Toronto (March 27 – June 27, 2010)
- Meireles born 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, lives and works there
- Key work 'Cross of the South' (1969–1970): 9x9x9 mm oak and pine cube
- 'Mission/Missions: How to Build Cathedrals' (1987): 2,000 bones, 600,000 coins, 800 hosts
- 'Insertions into Ideological Circuits' (1970): stamped Coca-Cola bottles and banknotes
- 'Tiradentes: Totem-Monument to the Political Prisoner' (1970): burning chickens
- Meireles' concept of 'ghetto' as a black hole-like force
- Herkenhoff rejects minimalist framing, citing neoconcretist influences
- References to Duchamp, Borges, Merleau-Ponty, and chaos theory
Entities
Artists
- Cildo Meireles
- Paulo Herkenhoff
- Guy Brett
- Jorge Luis Borges
- Marcel Duchamp
- Piero Manzoni
- Aluísio Carvão
- Hélio Oiticica
- Rodchenko
- Van Gogh
- Carl Andre
- Donald Judd
- Sol LeWitt
- Carlos Marighella
- Mario Pedrosa
- Giorgio Agamben
- Mitchell Feigenbaum
- Lu Menezes
- Miroslaw Balka
- Merleau-Ponty
- Descartes
Institutions
- Tate Modern
- Museo universitario de arte contemporáneo (MUAC)
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- Frac Lorraine
- Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Biennale di Venezia
- art press
Locations
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- London
- United Kingdom
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Toronto
- Canada
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Houston
- United States
- Venice
- Italy
Sources
- artpress —