





Cildo Meireles
Entrevendo
Glimpsing
1970/1994 (2013)
Since the sixties, the Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles has redefined artistic practice through an extension of the sensory experience of the viewer. In addition to the social and ethical commitment against unbridled capitalism and Western colonialism found in many of his works, what Meireles questions is the condition of art itself by incorporating the experiences of touch, sound, smell and taste that demand the total involvement of the public. Entrevendo [Glimpsing], produced in 1970 and remade in 1994, is one such piece.
Entrevendo is a large work that requires the direct participation of the viewer. A system of wooden slats and large circular rings form a huge conical tubular structure. The result is a nine-metres deep tunnel with a mouth of three metres in diameter. At one end is a fan that generates a spiral of hot air through the length of the tunnel. The large size of the system allows a person to access its interior, walk its full length and experience different sensations. At the entrance, the visitor is given two small pieces of ice to be put in the mouth. One is slightly curved and salty; the other is spiral-shaped and sweet. Seconds after entering the installation, the pieces of ice begin to melt in the mouth. The curve and the spiral correspond to the forms taken by the air projected by the fan, a physical reality that, although not visible, is present.
If the human eye could perceive the air stream, the frontal image would be curved, whereas the lateral form would be a spiral. In this sense, Entrevendo creates the ephemeral materialisation of an invisible element: air. As indicated by the title of the work, this is about glimpsing or ‘seeing’, through taste, a physical reality that the eye does not perceive. As Meireles himself explains: ‘Leaving the ice to melt in the mouth means trying to understand the differences between the cubes and the only way to understand this invisible thing: the wind.’ (acervo.publico.pt/temas/jornal/cildo-meireles-quer-o-espectador-por-inteiro-) [consulted: 29 January 2015]
Entrevendo is a large work that requires the direct participation of the viewer. A system of wooden slats and large circular rings form a huge conical tubular structure. The result is a nine-metres deep tunnel with a mouth of three metres in diameter. At one end is a fan that generates a spiral of hot air through the length of the tunnel. The large size of the system allows a person to access its interior, walk its full length and experience different sensations. At the entrance, the visitor is given two small pieces of ice to be put in the mouth. One is slightly curved and salty; the other is spiral-shaped and sweet. Seconds after entering the installation, the pieces of ice begin to melt in the mouth. The curve and the spiral correspond to the forms taken by the air projected by the fan, a physical reality that, although not visible, is present.
If the human eye could perceive the air stream, the frontal image would be curved, whereas the lateral form would be a spiral. In this sense, Entrevendo creates the ephemeral materialisation of an invisible element: air. As indicated by the title of the work, this is about glimpsing or ‘seeing’, through taste, a physical reality that the eye does not perceive. As Meireles himself explains: ‘Leaving the ice to melt in the mouth means trying to understand the differences between the cubes and the only way to understand this invisible thing: the wind.’ (acervo.publico.pt/temas/jornal/cildo-meireles-quer-o-espectador-por-inteiro-) [consulted: 29 January 2015]
show more
show less
The texts of the MACBA web draw on previous documentation. Please let us know if you find any errors.
Enquiry the
MACBA Library
for more information on the work or artist.
If you want to make a work loan request, go to colleccio@macba.cat.
If you want the image of the work in high resolution, you can send an image loan request.
If you want to make a work loan request, go to colleccio@macba.cat.
If you want the image of the work in high resolution, you can send an image loan request.
contact
for more information, please contact us through the following links
for further information
Image loan request