Elastic Networks
Activation of Lygia Clark's Rede de Elásticos within the framework of her retrospective at Baró Galeria. This experience took place as part of the "Processes of Diffusion and Marketing in Art" course and gave students the opportunity to engage directly with Clark's participatory art practice.
Lygia Clark, a key figure in 20th-century participatory art, created Rede de Elásticos as an experience that transcends the conventional notion of an artwork, inviting collective interaction. In 1974, she developed A rede de elásticos, one of her most significant works. This network is not simply a physical structure; it is a web of interdependence between bodies, built collectively. When activated, it transforms into a participatory action where hands come together to create something collaboratively, allowing participants to share an ephemeral but meaningful space. In today’s fragmented world, perhaps we need more than ever to continue weaving these elastic networks that connect us.
This activation enabled students to experience firsthand the collaborative and ephemeral nature of Clark's relational objects, deepening their understanding of participatory art and its role in fostering community and connection.