{{Short description|Brazilian artist}} {{more footnotes|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox artist |name = Ernesto Neto |image = Ernsto Neto portrait 4.JPG |image_size = 200 |birth_name = Ernesto Saboia de Albuquerque Neto |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|7|2|mf=y}} |birth_place = Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |field = Visual arts |occupation = installation artist, sculptor, drawer, painter |education = Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage | known_for = | notable_works = Léviathan Thot, Anthropodino |awards = Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres }}

'''Ernesto Saboia de Albuquerque Neto''' ({{Birth date|1964|7|2}} in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a contemporary visual artist.

==Early career== Ernesto Neto began exhibiting in Scotland in 1988 and has had solo exhibitions abroad since 1995. He represented with Vik Muniz their country in 2001 Venice Biennale, his installations were featured in Brazil's national pavilion and in the international group exhibition at the Arsenale.

==Style== [[Image:Leviathan Pantheon.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Léviathan Thot]] Neto's work has been described as "beyond abstract minimalism". His installations are large, soft, biomorphic sculptures that fill an exhibition space that viewers can touch, poke, and walk on or through. They are made of white, stretchy material—amorphous forms stuffed with Styrofoam pellets or, on occasion, aromatic spices. In some installations, he has also used this material to create translucent scrims that transform the space's walls and floor. His sculptures can be regarded as expression of traditional abstract form, but in their interaction with the viewer, they work on another level as well.<ref name="Holzwarth">{{cite book|last1=Holzwarth|first1=Hans W.|title=100 Contemporary Artists A-Z|date=2009|publisher=Taschen|location=Köln|isbn=978-3-8365-1490-3|pages=422–427|edition=Taschen's 25th anniversary special}}</ref>

==Exhibitions== In 1998, Neto exhibited a new installation ''Navedenga.'' A clear-like lycra chamber that stretched from the floor and ceiling, viewers were invited to remove their shoes and walk through it. Resembling penetrating an opening, this installation tries to connect the dependence of the viewer's experience and the work itself.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Fortin |first=Sylvie |title=Ernesto Neto (exhibition) |magazine=Parachute: Contemporary Art Magazine |number=94 |date=April–June 1999 |pages=58–59 |via=Gale Academic OneFile |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A30398653/AONE |access-date=2020-11-29 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In 2006 created Léviathan Thot for an exhibition which lasted from 15 September to 31 December 2006, as part of the 'Festival D'Automne à Paris'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leviathán Thot |url=https://www.festival-automne.com/fr/edition-2006/ernesto-neto-leviathan-thot |date=2006-09-15}}</ref>

Also in 2006 Neto was awarded chevalier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.<ref>List of members of the Order of Arts and Letters</ref>

In 2009 Neto exhibited a new work at New York's Park Avenue Armory called ''anthropodino''. Filling the {{convert|55000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} hall, the aim is to help the Armory reposition itself as a big-art destination like the Turbine Hall in London's Tate Modern.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/arts/design/13neto.html|title=Hey, Drill This! Park Avenue Armory Goes Sci-Fi|last=Kennedy|first=Randy|date=2009-05-12|work=New York Times|accessdate=2009-05-13}}</ref>

In 2018, Neto exhibited at a central train station in Zurich, Switzerland. The exhibition was titled ''GaiaMotherTree'' and consisted largely of hand-knotted cotton strips in oranges and yellows. The exhibit was created alongside the Beyeler Foundation and featured a monthlong series of workshops for both children and adults which took place beneath the exhibit. At the time of its debut, Beyeler Foundation director Sam Keller estimated that approximately a half-million people will visit the station and, consequently, the sculpture. This would have made ''GaiaMotherTree'' the most visited work of art in the history of Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Barrato |first=Romullo |title=Brazilian Artist Ernesto Neto Creates Giant Installation in Zurich's Central Station |magazine=Arch Daily |date=July 2018 |url=https://www.archdaily.com/897449/brazilian-artist-ernesto-neto-creates-giant-installation-in-zurichs-central-station |access-date=2021-06-19}}</ref>

In 2019, Neto exhibited at the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery with ''Children of the Earth'' in Los Angeles, California. This solo exhibit consisted of yellows, greens, purples, and reds. The exhibit also utilized musical instruments, spices and crystals to engage all five senses.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Nys Dambrot |first=Shana |title=BEST OF L.A. ARTS: FALL PREVIEW PICK: ERNESTO NETO AT TANYA BONAKDAR GALLERY |magazine=L.A. Weekly |date=August 2019 |url=https://www.laweekly.com/best-of-l-a-arts-fall-preview-pick-ernesto-neto-at-tanya-bonakdar-gallery/ |access-date=2021-06-19}}</ref>

In 2021, Neto exhibited a new work at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston called ''SunForceOceanLife''. This solo exhibit featured large, spiraling hand-woven materials in oranges, yellows and greens.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Ebert |first=Grace |title=A 79-Foot Labyrinth Crocheted by Ernesto Neto Hangs from the Ceiling of a Houston Museum |magazine=Colossal Art, Design and Visual Culture. |date=June 2021 |url=https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2021/06/ernesto-neto-sun-force-ocean-life/ |access-date=2021-06-19}}</ref> thumb|right|180px|Nosso Barco Tambor Terra In 2024, Neto exhibited at Museu of Art, Architecture and Technology in Lisbon, ''Nosso Barco Tambor Terra'', one of his largest installations up to date. Its shape is richly imbued with history and symbolism. The sculpture, which incorporates a series of instruments, will be periodically activated by a musical programme. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Ernesto Neto - Nosso Barco Tambor Terra |date=2024-02-05 |url=https://www.maat.pt/pt/event/ernesto-neto-nosso-barco-tambor-terra |access-date=2024-10-05}}</ref>

==References== *Soares, Valeska; Meireles, Cildo; Neto, Ernesto. ''Seduções: Installations''. Hatje; Daros. 2006 {{reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book|title=Art Now|editor-first1=Uta|editor-last1=Grosenick|editor-first2=Burkhard|editor-last2=Riemschneider|publisher=Taschen|location=Köln|edition=25th anniversary|year=2005|pages=216–219|isbn=9783822840931|oclc=191239335}}

==External links== {{Commonscat|Ernesto Neto}} * [https://fdag.com.br/artistas/ernesto-neto/ Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel] * [https://www.tanyabonakdargallery.com/artists/49-ernesto-neto/ Tanya Bonakdar Gallery] * [https://elbabenitez.com/artist/ernesto-neto/ Galería Elba Benítez] * [http://www.neto.afmuseet.no Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art] * [http://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/understanding-the-expansion-of-universe-an-interview-with-ernesto-neto Understanding the Expansion of Universe: An interview with Ernesto Neto] at [http://www.studiointernational.com Studio International]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Neto, Ernesto}} Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Brazilian contemporary artists Category:Artists from Rio de Janeiro (city)