Ernesto Neto addresses concepts of social interaction in large-scale, site-specific installations that engage multiple senses and often invite interaction. He deliberately contrasts the organic and the synthetic in the materials he chooses for these works. Frequently, he creates his compositions from stretchable materials filled with either scented spices or, as in Citoanima Demopylea, with foam to create biomorphic abstractions that reference the body. Sprawling wall works such as this draw on Neto's affinity for minimalist sculpture and the creations of the Brazilian avant-garde of the 1960s and 1970s, which combined radical artistic innovations with an engagement in political, social, and ethical issues. The striking and transgressive nature of Neto’s work can remove visitors from the monotonous flow of everyday life, providing an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with the world around them.
