Exhibition: Ernesto Neto

Ernesto Neto (b.1964) The Edges of The World
Hayward Gallery Southbank Centre

I arrived at this exhibition with extreme levels of anticipation, having been an avid follower of Brazilian artist, Ernesto Neto’s work for years now via publications and internet searches. Fascination grew from the first moment I laid eyes on his sensual drooping vesicles. However, my initial reaction on entering was one of disillusionment- how had I come to be standing in the middle of a child’s pappy guide to anatomy? Moving onto the next room I found the Neto I was looking for in horizonmembranenave. Stretched tulle and the laser-cut wooden skeletal structures work in unison to create a bizarre tunnel at the centre of which is flavour flower womb domus . Here clusters of people had settled in the various nooks and soft parts, quite clearly in no rush to return to the craziness of London central. These environments are intended to be immersive, an expulsion from the frantic reality of the outside world. Admittedly I couldn’t help but feel animosity toward the linear edges of the room and harsh light fittings jolting my senses back to the reality of Hayward Gallery.

Neto’s interactive sculptures sit squarely in the participatory art category, indeed, without people swimming around the rooftop pool, beating the drum or lazing in the flavour flower womb domus the work seems to shift towards the cheerless and forlorn.