Subtile: “Ernesto Neto’s Monumental Sculpture “Le La Serpent” Graces Paris Department Store”
PARIS — The renowned Paris department store, Le Bon Marché, known for its history of artist collaborations, has commissioned Brazilian sculptor, Ernesto Neto, to develop a large-scale in-store exhibition named “Le La Serpent.”
The artist has been asked to design his installations in white, in tribute to the store’s traditional January linen sales, or “white sales.” This tradition was initialized by the store’s founder, Aristide Boucicaut, and is still practiced today.
The directive to work with white represented a departure from Neto’s noted vibrant crochet pieces and a shift from showcasing his sizable installations on gallery white walls. In turn, Neto pulled inspiration from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, preferred by him as Eve and Adam, yet with a twist; the snake was no longer the embodiment of evil.
Neto considers the snake as a symbol of infinity and nature’s ambassador. “The serpent is a divine element, as the entity that gave birth to humanity,” said Neto. He interprets the snake’s role in the story as benevolent: “If they had not exchanged the fruit, if they did not bite the fruit from the knowledge tree, they would still be in Paradise today, and we wouldn’t be here. So it’s clear the serpent is the divine entity.”
Critiquing the traditional interpretation of Adam and Eve, Neto argued that it has underpinned society’s divisive notion of ‘good and bad,’ pitting mankind against nature, and cultures against each other.
Neto questioned the framing of the myth: “There is another problem with the myth, because when they say that there is evil after they bit the fruit and got kicked out of Paradise, it [gives permission that] we can kill our neighbor, or we can be bad people because of that.”
Neto believes this perception poses “a giant societal problem” and emphasized the need for a new interpretation to foster love and reconnect humanity with nature. “Le La Serpent” reflects the consistent themes in Neto’s work, encouraging individuals to meditate on their relationships with ecosystems and the planet.
The serpent, prominent in various creation myths, made its way into an accompanying book that Neto created, providing an in-depth plunge into serpent stories across the globe. Available on-site and accessible via QR code, the book has been translated into English, French, and Portuguese.
The woven serpent exhibit weaves its way around the store’s central atrium starting from the main floor upwards, with the tree of life sprouting underneath reaching for the ceiling. Other sections of the exhibition occupy the second floor and the windows overlooking Rue de Sèvres. The artworks were crafted in Neto’s Brazil-based studio before being installed in Paris.
Hosting such a thought-provoking piece in a department store initially posed a challenge for Neto. However, amidst a beach walk, he was struck with a solution to breathe life into the serpent concept within this setting. Reflecting on the present overlap of art and commerce, Neto said: “It’s a place of objects and design.”
Speaking on the blend of fashion design and fine arts, Neto noted, “It’s all about nature, the tension, the balance, and the body — the connection between our body and the body of the Earth.”
Exhibiting in a department store presented Neto with the opportunity to reach an audience beyond typical gallery visitors. To encourage public participation, Neto has installed chalkboards for inspired visitors to sketch their own art. The opening event draws from Brazilian culture featuring a contemporary music orchestra, Samba percussion, and an indigenous musician.
Besides his acclaimed crochet work, Neto has also composed a song offering his unique take on the serpent story, available for all visitors to download. In a nod to unity and inclusivity, Neto chose to sing the song in French. “Le La Serpent” will run until February 23.
