The critical turn around the subjects and objects of art: Edgardo A. Vigo and Cildo Meireles

Abstract

In this paper we will analyse some artistic expressions by Argentinian artist Edgardo A. Vigo (1928-1997) and Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles (1948-), putting them into dialogue as participants of the critical turn in the art between the sixties and the seventies, in the context of the Latin American artistic avant-garde.. Both artists widen the scope of their questionings towards the culture, society and politics –when Brazil and Argentina were living under dictatorships and their consequential repressive regimes– through forms that appeal to imagining, experiencing and signifying objects, actions and facts. For this purpose, we will focus on Obras (in)completas, (in) conferencia y Señalamiento XI Souvenir del dolor by Vigo and Desvio para o Vermelho: I. Impregnação, Inserções em circuitos ideológicos: Projeto Coca-Cola and Projeto Cédula and Tiradentes – Totem Monumento ao Preso Político by Meireles. We use the qualitative methodology approach with a transdiciplinary perspective, which articulates different fields of knowledge to reflect on art.