Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Email
“Tropicália was a creative explosion, and it was a political movement wrapped into one.” —Jill Drower
“The idea was for art that could be participatory, that could be immersive, and that would give the public the freedom to move, to interact, in a new world, in a new way. Over time, that led to some of the most radical break-outs of what art could be.” —Michael Wellen
Art Basel’s Unlimited program always contains many highlights of the fair, and Hélio Oiticica’s Penetrável Filtro (1972), presented by Galerie Lelong & Co, is not just a highlight, but a truly rare opportunity to experience this seminal environment in person.
Oiticica (b. July 26, 1937, Rio de Janeiro; d. March 22, 1980, Rio de Janeiro) was one of the most original artists of the 20th century, creating immersive work that combined revolution with interaction. Part of his masterwork Tropicália, Penetrables PN2 ‘Purity is a Myth’ and PN3 ‘Imagetical’ (1966–7), a “landmark work of early installation art,” is currently on view at the Tate Modern, as part of their presentation Performer and Participant. Tate Shots produced this great short documentary about Oiticica and the work on view.
