An experimental and artistic look at the work of artist Hélio Oiticica (1937-1980), a known representative of the Neo-Concrete Movement,
which proposed that art wasn't just an object and it challenged usual conventions of what is about and what could be done with.
With the creation of his Parangolés (capes, flags and/or banners made with fabrics and plastic that included poems or social/political quotes)
used on dance performances where the spectactor
can join the act. Here, filmmaker Ivan Cardoso captures some of those performances, some of Oitica's view on art and the idea of being an inventor,
and the short also introduces his artist friends on brief meetings and music bits from classic sambas and even The Rolling Stones.
A more versed crowd on Oiticica and his works will find a great source to admire him and fulfill their curious minds about the man and his
works, specially those who enjoy experimental works where the intention is merely to present everything in a non typical fashion or a highly
elaborate manner. Also a great opportunity to see the artist outside of his experimental shorts done during his New York days, and meeting
with Lygia Clark (also part of the movement), Caetano Veloso and others. It marks his last project while living, soon after his return to Brazil in '79
he passed away in the following year, from a stroke. If the controversy about his return were truth, revolving on dealing with authorities heckling
about his sexuality, no wonder why he got so sick.
If following the exact idea of the artistic movement, depending on how you absorb that craziness of it all with a lack of cohesion in
its presentation, the better you feel the experience. It's not about finding a meaning, it's about how everything shown appeals to you and
the feelings that are taken out of you. I'm okay with that as I enjoyed the mystery of it all, and many of Oiticica's talks about what he was
trying to conceive and trying to be. All valid expressions of an artist and creator.
But it wasn't a case of being deeply invested. The sound goes to some atrocious noising, and that fixed notion of wanting to
understand anything is hard to be conquered. Let's just say I wasn't bored by it, therefore it gets a praise from me. 6/10.
