When I first heard the name of the exhibit at the Whitney we were assigned to visit, I couldn’t understand what an exhibit called To Organize Delirium could possibly be about. The oxymoron within the title had me curiously wondering, “How could something be organized/structured yet delirious or whimsically cacophonous simultaneously?”
Before entering the exhibit, I asked a curator to give me a briefing of Helio Oiticica and his exhibit. He explained to me how Hélio Oiticica intended to break the stereotype of what many perceive and define as Art. Art isn’t only for the elite and pretentious members of society. Art can become understandable to anyone once you view it as a means of expression. Helio felt that we all have artistic moments and means of expression. This expression comes to fruition generally in our leisure time, as we let our minds unwind a run free.
I gradually began to understand why the exhibit is called To Organize Delirum. The exhibit and the works displayed a kind of like a snap shot of Helios mind put on display. The art displayed portrays Helios concretization of his mind expressing itself. His thoughts and views put on display become the art.
The Eden exhibit allows provides an environment where you can really experience yourself. The exhibit is designed to be some sort of safe heaven where you can just relax and enjoy your time with your own thoughts. Or, perhaps, you may experience some sort of “zone out” where you may not think at all. Helio designed this exhibit so the average person, like himself, could be an environment where they could “utilize” their leisure time by expressing that within. I loved the tent with the music inside. Being inside and listening to the music was not only relaxing, but it felt as if I was in my own little heaven, my own little Eden.
The Rijanviera exhibit struck me as the contrast of the Eden exhibit. The exhibit is incredibly simple, almost pure. At first, I didn’t understand the intention behind this disjointed grey box before me. However, as I began walking through the sand and the cool water, I felt a certain calmness and ease. I felt calm and relaxed in the Eden exhibit, but the calmness experienced in the Rijanviera was different. I did not need music or books and magazines to allow my mind to unwind. I was able to relax solely by engaging with nature and its elements. I think Hélio Oiticica appreciated the calmness and serenity of nature as well. He chose to convey this serenity through a simple exhibit where one does not distract himself with his environment, rather he is a part of his environment.
I look forward to visiting the Whitney again, either to explore a new exhibit or visit this one again! The museum is in a beautiful location, right near the HighLine and fairly close to Baruch… I look forward to my return.
* Unfortunately I did not get pictures inside the exhibit but here are two photos of my favorite two parts discussed above!
Hi! I think it’s so smart that you asked a curator to explain to you their take on the exhibit and what they knew about Oiticica’s background. I never thought of doing this very simple thing that would probably help me understand art better!
I also really liked the little tent with the music. It was so nice to be isolated in that way in the middle of a big museum. Did you go into the room with the hammocks and Jimi Hendrix? I really liked that as well.
As I read the reviews from The New York Times and the Artnet Worldwide Corporation, I gained an even richer understanding of Oticicia’s background. I was aware that Oticicia indeed came from an artistic, but I didn’t know that his own father was a prospective artist/photographer himself! Art was not a new found love or domain for Helio, rather art for Helio was his childhood and passion reinvented.
I read in the review posted by the The New York Times about how Helio Oticicia started his art career by creating typical modern art. He soon realized that there was something too sterile about his geometric and bold colored shapes. He began to disassemble his framed work and stated experimenting with hanging objects from midair. He wanted art to effect the viewer through interaction rather than observation.
I noticed some pieces in the exhibits were framed, the more typical modern art “type”. With greater understanding of the intention behind Oticicia’s shift of display, I find it interesting that the museum chose to portray both styles. I think this leaves the viewer with a deeper understanding of the birth and rebirth of Helio Oticica’s art.