Jac Leirner's 'Hardware Silk' exhibition explores gender, materials, and Brazilian legacy

In 2013, Jac Leirner presented her exhibition 'Hardware Silk' at Mason’s Yard, showcasing pieces that questioned gender norms using materials such as chains and rulers arranged horizontally. A significant figure in the art world since the 1990s, the Brazilian artist rejects classifications like 'female artist' or 'Latin American artist.' The exhibition's title symbolizes the contrast between robust and delicate components, illustrated by 'Hardware Silk 3' (2013), which features a 19-meter steel cable adorned with metallic and plastic items. Notable wall works included the 'Skin' series (2013), which addresses mortality through grids of cigarette papers, a reflection of Leirner's smoking habit evident in 'Rolling Level' (2013). Curated by Robert Storr, the initial 'Hardware Silk' took place at Yale in 2012, concluding with the playful necklace 'After the Show' (2012). This review was published in the September 2013 edition of ArtReview.