Art among Argentina, Brazil and Switzerland. Max Bill and his Latin-American Connections

Abstract

This essay studies Max Bill’s performance in the scene of the ArgentineanBrazilian Concretism, presenting a critical reflection on the postwar artistic historiography. The working hypothesis claims that for one to understand Bill’s artistic trajectory it is essential to turn to the events and relations that took place in the Argentinean-Brazilian scene. Bill found among the LatinAmericans possibilities of dialogue and action, which resulted unthinkable for his situation in the European scenery. On the other hand, artists and critics found in Bill’s production a systematic model for a series of searches already installed in the local circuits.