
Hélio Oiticica with Bólides and Parangolés at his atelier at Engenheiro Alfredo Duarte Street, Rio de Janeiro. 1965. Photo: Claudio Oiticica. Courtesy of César and Claudio Oiticica.
Hélio Oiticica (1937 – 1980) is widely regarded as one of Brazil’s leading artists of the twentieth century and a touchstone for much contemporary art made since the 1960s, primarily through his freewheeling, participatory works of art, performative environments, avant-garde films and abstract paintings. Increasingly throughout this career, Oiticica became a countercultural figure within various underground artistic circles, foregrounding bodily interaction with spatial and environmental concerns over pure aesthetics. This landmark exhibition across both of DLWP’s galleries will be the first presentation of Oiticica’s work in a UK public institution in over 15 years.
In our current climate, we are faced with a series of impending crises: those of our bodies, our ecologies and the systems that govern them. Within this context, the relevance and radicality of Oiticica’s ideas could not be more evident. His visionary perspective opens new avenues for individuals to collectively reclaim subjectivity from its relentless exploitation through capitalism and consumerism. Drawing upon Oiticica’s notion of ‘crelazer’ (creative leisure) as a guiding framework, as well as the ways in which queerness manifests through his expansive practice, this exhibition will explore the artist’s fusion of art and life through film, photography, sculpture, immersive environments, and archival material.
This exhibition was made possible with a Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Research Grant from Art Fund.
There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following :
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 8pm. After this time parking is free. There is also lmiited free car parking along the seafront.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building.
Please contact the Box Office on 01424 229 111 to arrange a visit.
Facilities for disabled visitors
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.