Lygia Clark’s retrospective at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin sheds light on the intricate connection between art, therapy, and politics. As a prominent member of the Neo-concretists in Brazil during the 1950s, Clark’s work transcended traditional boundaries by blending geometric abstraction with elements of both sculpture and painting. However, in the 1960s, amidst a turbulent political climate in Brazil following a military coup, Clark and her contemporaries began creating art that not only invited interaction from viewers but also fostered connections between them.
In the late 1970s, Clark delved into the realm of psychotherapy by creating sensory objects that engaged the senses, particularly touch and sight. Her “Bichos” sculptures, made of aluminum pieces connected by hinges, allowed for various forms and shapes, inviting viewers to interact with them. Additionally, her “Nostalgia of the Body” series, initiated during the same period as the military coup, aimed to facilitate conceptual rebirth through physical structures like “A casa é o corpo (The House Is The Body),” symbolizing the process of reproduction.
Clark’s collaborative works, such as “Life Structures” and “Anthropophagic Slobber,” emphasized the importance of collective participation. The exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie diverges from previous retrospectives by providing ample opportunities for visitors to engage with Clark’s sensorial objects. From climbing on structures to trying on sensory suits, the exhibition encourages active participation and exploration.
For Clark, therapy served as a means of survival during oppressive times. By turning inward and fortifying the self, she advocated for self-preservation in a repressive regime. This act of self-care and resilience, packaged as art and therapy, is inherently political, offering a subtle form of resistance. Clark’s retrospective serves as a guide for navigating challenging circumstances, urging visitors to slow down, strengthen their sense of self through collective experiences, and forge new paths for survival and perseverance.
The exhibition, curated by Irina Hiebert Grun and Maike Steinkamp, with Assistant Curator Sarah Hampel, runs at the Neue Nationalgalerie until October 12. It showcases Clark’s innovative approach to art, therapy, and politics, inviting viewers to explore the intersections between creativity, healing, and activism in a time of uncertainty and change.
