From Síntesis Series
- Screenprint on plexiglas, chrome-plated steel
- Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse
Rafael Jesus Soto’s Permutacion is a mixed-media sculpture that continues the artist’s exploration of optical illusion and kinetic art. Part of the Síntesis series, the piece is composed of screen-printed Plexiglas and chrome-plated steel, creating a structured yet visually dynamic composition. The vertical lines, arranged symmetrically across the surface, produce a subtle sense of movement, engaging the viewer’s perception as they change position. A central black bar runs through the middle, creating a focal point that anchors the composition, while a small white square embedded within adds a contrasting element that disrupts the uniformity. The interaction of lines, light, and shadow gives the illusion that the artwork is in constant flux, a signature characteristic of Soto's work in kinetic and optical art. Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse, Permutacion showcases Soto’s mastery in transforming static materials into dynamic visual experiences.
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
- Screenprint on plexiglas, chrome-plated steel
- Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse
Rafael Jesus Soto’s Permutacion is a mixed-media sculpture that continues the artist’s exploration of optical illusion and kinetic art. Part of the Síntesis series, the piece is composed of screen-printed Plexiglas and chrome-plated steel, creating a structured yet visually dynamic composition. The vertical lines, arranged symmetrically across the surface, produce a subtle sense of movement, engaging the viewer’s perception as they change position. A central black bar runs through the middle, creating a focal point that anchors the composition, while a small white square embedded within adds a contrasting element that disrupts the uniformity. The interaction of lines, light, and shadow gives the illusion that the artwork is in constant flux, a signature characteristic of Soto's work in kinetic and optical art. Signed and numbered on a label affixed to the reverse, Permutacion showcases Soto’s mastery in transforming static materials into dynamic visual experiences.
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)
Interactive art is a form of art where the spectator is actively involved by the artist to achieve the artwork's purpose. This involvement can include allowing the visitor to walk around, in, or on the art installation, or even becoming a part of the artwork itself. Works in this category often feature computers, sensors, and interfaces that respond to various inputs such as meteorological changes, heat, motion, or other types of data programmed by the artist.