In 1957, Hélio Oiticica began his Metaesquema series, compositions of squares and rectangles on white ground. In these innovative works, the surface seems to pulsate with energy, compelling the viewer's gaze to move around the composition. Oiticica is one of the foremost Brazilian artists of his generation. In the 1950s, he was part of the Grupo Frente, a circle of abstract artists whose work was based on European constructivist movements. He later joined the short-lived neo-concrete movement in Rio de Janeiro, which emphasized the value of experiencing a work of art over artistic theory—a subject that Oiticica continued to explore throughout his career. Ilona Katzew, 2008
