fondation cartier explores the diversity of modern art in latin america

the exhibition ‘géométries sud, du mexique à la terre de feu’ celebrates the wealth of color, and diversity of styles and artistic approaches to geometric abstraction in latin america. it shows 250 artworks by over 70 different artists from the pre-columbian period, presenting modernist abstract art, sculpture and architecture, ceramics, weaving, and body painting. including specially designed installations by bolivian architect freddy mamani, and paraguayan architecture duo solano benítez and gloria cabral, the show will also feature the first presentation of a collection of sculptures by gego in paris and showcase indigenous works from paraguay for the first time in europe.

the exhibition, opening on october 14 in fondation cartier, paris, starts with a spectacular ballroom designed by freddy mamani, whose work is inspired by the geometric motifs characteristic of tiwanaku culture and the spirit of andean village festivals.

freddy mamani
from neo‐andina series photos © tatewaki nio
this work was produced with the support of the musée du quai branly – jacques chirac

solano benítez and gloria cabral, the winners of the golden lion at the venice architecture biennale in 2016, use panels of shattered bricks and concrete to create a monumental work based on the principle of repetition. a rhythmic construc­tion that plays with the light coming into the gallery space, this installation, assembled in a delicate equilibrium using a modular system of triangles, runs the length of the facade of the fondation cartier building.

anna mariani
façades series, 1973‐86
xique‐xique, bahia, brazil, 1979
inkjet print collection of the artist
© anna mariani

a remarkable group of 23 intricate wire sculp­tures by the acclaimed venezuelan artist gego will also be on display. these works, many of which belong to the fundación museos nacionales in venezuela, have been brought together for the first time here.

luiz zerbini, a primeira missa, 2014
acrylic on canvas 200 x 300 cm
collection luis zerbini
© luiz zerbini
photo © jaime acioli

 
beatriz milhazes, são cosme e damião, 2014
acrylic on canvas 250 × 220 cm
private collection, rio de janeiro
© beatriz milhazes
photo © pepe schettino

loló soldevilla
untitled, 1956
oil on panel
35,6 × 28 cm
© loló soldevilla

 
carmen herrera
camino rojo, 2017
acrylic on canvas
152,4 x 152,4 cm
courtesy of the artist and lisson gallery
photo by carmen herrera

guillermo kuitca, cárcel amarilla, 1994
graphite, color pencils and acrylic on canvas
175 × 236 cm
collection of the artist
© guillermo kuitca
photo by martín touzón

olga de amaral brumas e, b, c, a, g, d, 2013
cotton, gesso and acrylic
190 × 90 cm (each)
galerie la patinoire royale / valerie bach, brussels,belgium
© courtesy of casa amaral
photo © diego amaral

paolo gasparini
caracas y su arquitectura, venezuela
1967‐1968
16,6 × 24,4 cm
© paolo gasparini

martin gusinde
terre de feu, argentine et chili
ulen, forte tête. hain ceremony, selk’nam rite.
ulen, the male jester. his role is to entertain the hain’s spectators
piezographic print with carbon pigments
58 x 41 cm
private collection, paris
© anthropos institut, sankt augustin