JESUS RAFAEL SOTO
JESUS RAFAEL SOTO "VIBRATIONS METALLIQUES" 1969
Jesús Rafael Soto (1923-2005) was a Venezuelan artist and key figure of Kinetic Art and Op Art, best known for his large-scale sculptures.
After completing his artistic training at the Plastic and Applied Arts School in Caracas, Soto relocated to Paris in 1950, where he lived and worked for most of his career.
In Paris he was exposed to the dynamic art scene and met numerous artists including Piet Mondrian, Alexander Calder, and Victor Vasarely. These important exchanges inspired Soto to explore creating three dimensional works.
Soto began experimenting with serial art, wherein formal elements were repeated within a plane. By eschewing traditional notions of composition and equilibrium (like top, bottom, left, right, beginning, end), Soto transcended traditional barriers of painting and sculpture.
Soon after, Soto began incorporating movement into his works and alongside Yaacov Agam and Victor Vasarely, helping birth the Kinetic Art movement. If Soto's works didn't physically move, they created the illusion of movement in space - an Op Art fundamental.
"Vibrations Metalliques" is a paradigm of Soto's work. Delicate metal rods float in front of a horizontally-striped background giving the artwork energy and motion. The active elements change with the viewer's perspective, with dancing shadows and seemingly kinetic rods. The simple elements come together to create a complex and engaging viewing experience.
It is almost impossible to view this unique work from a single vantage point. With a strong sensation of movement, the optical illusion demands--and rewards--active viewer participation. Created in the height of his artistic career, this uniquely timeless artwork would make a keen addition to any collection.
In 1973, the Jesús Rafael Soto Museum of Modern Art was opened in Soto's hometown of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. While receiving the award for Venezuela's National Prize for Plastic Arts over a decade prior, Soto expressed his intentions to build a museum in his hometown. During the 60's he began donating works to his hometown and laying the groundwork for one of its first cultural institutions.
Soto's works can be found in the permanent collections of many of the most prestigious institutions globally including; MoMA (NY), Centres Pompidou (Paris), and the Tate (London) among many others.
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"Vibrations Metalliques"
1969
Silkscreen on aluminum with metal elements and nylon string
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered on original publisher's label, verso
Number 189 from an edition of 250
Published by Denise René Editions
11"H 12"W 7"D
Minor abrasions on metal elements. Overall very good condition
Literature: J. Soto, et al., Soto, 1982, n. M10, p. 127 (another edition, illustrated).
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