Sensoriality: A Constant in the Work of César Henao
Sensoriality is a constant in the work of César Henao, a French artist of Colombian origin, who began his artistic practice as a self-taught artist at the age of 16. Influenced by the Op Art movement, he pursued his training at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, where he received the highest distinction awarded unanimously by a jury led by Pol Bury, the Belgian kinetic sculptor. This recognition marked an important moment in Henao’s career, highlighting his talent and potential in the field of kinetic and fractal art.
In 1987, Henao created his first large land-art installation in the heart of Ciudad Perdida, a pre-Columbian city lost in the tropical forest of Colombia, in response to the Chernobyl disaster. This installation marked a turning point in his career, integrating elements of science and technology, notably using the SPOT-1 satellite to capture images of the artistic installation in the middle of nature.
Over the years, Henao has continued to explore the intersections between art and science, developing increasingly complex and conceptual works. His early works, marked by the use of geometric patterns and mixed techniques, quickly attracted the attention of art critics, notably Pierre Restany.
Digital Art
César Henao is also recognized as a pioneer of digital art. In 1997, he was one of the signatories of the Fractal Manifesto, a founding document for the fractalist movement, published in the November 1997 issue of Art Press. This manifesto marked the official birth of the fractalist group, which integrates concepts of fractal geometry and chaos theory into contemporary art.
The Infinitisations Series
In his Infinitisations series, César Henao addresses profound and complex themes, including the concepts of the singularity of being, gravitational singularity, and technological singularity. This series explores notions of uniqueness, cosmic mystery, and technological future, offering an artistic reflection on these subjects.
Public Art
His monumental kinetic sculptures, such as “Aurea Duo,” unveiled in 2024 in Vaison-la-Romaine, illustrate this evolution. Composed of more than 3800 stainless steel tubes, this monumental kinetic sculpture represents the faces of the Roman emperor Hadrian and his wife Sabine, and is a tribute to the harmony between art and technology.
By combining his early works influenced by Op Art with his latest kinetic sculptures, Henao projects a vision enriched by his multiple practices and experiences, offering a unique perspective on the impact of technology in contemporary art.
