From Síntesis Series
- Shadow box construction with screen-printed Plexiglas and chromed aluminum metal bars
- Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse
Rafael Jesus Soto's Escritura is a captivating mixed-media sculpture that uses the interplay of lines, transparency, and shadow to create a sense of movement and spatial depth. Part of the Síntesis series, the artwork consists of screen-printed Plexiglas panels, with chromed aluminum metal bars creating a layered effect that manipulates light and visual perception. The abstract lines across the panels resemble flowing calligraphy or dynamic writing, hence the title Escritura (Writing). The combination of precise geometry with optical illusions is central to Soto’s work, encouraging viewers to engage with the piece from multiple angles. As light and perspective shift, the static lines seem to vibrate or oscillate, evoking a sense of motion. Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse, Escritura reflects Soto’s mastery in kinetic and optical art, where visual perception becomes an active experience.
Jesús Rafael Soto (Venezuela, 1923–2005) was a pioneering figure in kinetic and op art. Renowned for his 'Penetrables' series, he created immersive installations that invited viewer interaction, blurring the lines between art and observer. Soto's work explored movement, perception, and the dematerialization of the art object, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art.
Mixed MediaMixed media refers to artwork that incorporates more than one medium within a single piece. Unlike multimedia art, which combines distinct forms of visual art and often includes elements like sound, video, or digital media, mixed media focuses on combining traditional art materials, such as paint, ink, and collage. Mixed media art allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects and textures by layering and blending different materials.
From Síntesis Series
- Shadow box construction with screen-printed Plexiglas and chromed aluminum metal bars
- Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse
Rafael Jesus Soto's Escritura is a captivating mixed-media sculpture that uses the interplay of lines, transparency, and shadow to create a sense of movement and spatial depth. Part of the Síntesis series, the artwork consists of screen-printed Plexiglas panels, with chromed aluminum metal bars creating a layered effect that manipulates light and visual perception. The abstract lines across the panels resemble flowing calligraphy or dynamic writing, hence the title Escritura (Writing). The combination of precise geometry with optical illusions is central to Soto’s work, encouraging viewers to engage with the piece from multiple angles. As light and perspective shift, the static lines seem to vibrate or oscillate, evoking a sense of motion. Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse, Escritura reflects Soto’s mastery in kinetic and optical art, where visual perception becomes an active experience.
Jesús Rafael Soto (Venezuela, 1923–2005) was a pioneering figure in kinetic and op art. Renowned for his 'Penetrables' series, he created immersive installations that invited viewer interaction, blurring the lines between art and observer. Soto's work explored movement, perception, and the dematerialization of the art object, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art.
Art is not expression; art is knowledge.
- Rafael Jesus Soto
Celebrated for his contributions to both the Op Art movement and Kinetic Sculpture, Jesus Rafael Soto worked with a range of materials to create his trademark sculptural reliefs; his works study the interplay between colours as well as the dynamic between foreground and background, both of which often result in a final optical illusion effect, as exemplified in his acclaimed Vibration Blanc et Jaune work. Soto began his artistic career as a post-impressionist painter, but later discovered the methods and teachings of Piet Mondrian, from whom he gained much of his inspiration. Alongside his notable reliefs, Soto created a number of interactive sculptures that allowed direct audience participation – Penetrables is among his most successful works of this kind, of which the artist has remarked ‘’when you enter a penetrable, you have the sensation of being in a light swirl, a total plenitude of vibrations.’’ (Artist website)
Concrete Art is an art movement founded by the Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg in the 1930s. The movement emphasizes pure abstraction, focusing on geometric shapes and colors without any reference to the natural world or symbolic meaning. Unlike other forms of abstract art, Concrete Art is entirely non-representational and is based on mathematical principles and precise execution. It aims to create universal, timeless works by using simple, clear forms that emphasize objectivity and clarity.