The title of the show is taken from a poem by the famous Portuguese lyric poet Herberto Helder (1930–2015) and testifies to Neuenschwander's trust in the power of poetry. At the same time, this quote possesses considerable social relevance: no knife can open people's hearts, let alone put out "political" fires. Instead, it is an instrument which, when turned against someone, causes fear.
In 2015 the artist began designing capes with children to protect them from their fears. The collaborative work The Name of Fear is an important focal point of the exhibition and was continued with schools in Liechtenstein and Switzerland especially for this show. The show also features works expressing wishing, freedom, experimentation and play. I Wish Your Wish (2003) harks back to a custom from the Brazilian Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim in Salvador. On the walls of the exhibition hang thousands of colourful ribbons with wishes printed on them. Visitors are invited to choose a wish-ribbon and tie it around their wrist and, conversely, to leave wishes for others. The tradition has it that the wishes will be fulfilled if the ribbon falls off on its own.
In her oeuvre, Neuenschwander explores fears and hopes, demonstrating how they define people and society. There is a profoundly philosophical understanding in her works in which she puts the human perspective into perspective; for example, the passage of time, the power of the nature or the activity of animals, that the artist stages as formative protagonists.
The exhibition knife does not cut fire is the artist's first comprehensive solo exhibition in the German-speaking world and places an emphasis on her recent works.
Rivane Neuenschwander (born 1967, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) lives and works in São Paulo.
A production of Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, curated by Christiane Meyer-Stoll.
