Art Basel Miami Beach is abuzz with the unveiling of a masterpiece from Venezuelan artist Jesús Rafael Soto's oeuvre. 'Penetrable', an early iteration of his iconic series, has taken center stage at the Meridians sector, drawing visitors into its vast, translucent expanse.
This monumental installation, measuring 500 x 400 x 500 centimeters, is among the last of roughly 30 versions Soto created from 1967 until his death. Composed of hundreds of suspended, flexible PVC tubes, it dissolves the line between observer and object, inviting viewers to step inside and become an integral part of the artwork.
Soto's work has long been revered for its ability to probe the interconnected notions of time and space, movement and perceptual instability. 'Penetrable' embodies this philosophy, presenting a vast geometric volume that invites spectators to navigate its shifting dimensions freely and playfully through fluid paths.
In an interview, Soto once stated, "My concept of space is very different from that of the Renaissance... [With] the Pénétrable, I reveal that man... is part of space. And this is the sensation of those who enter them and the feeling of joy and elation that you witness is similar to getting in the water and being completely liberated from gravity."
The 'Penetrable' series has undergone several major retrospectives across Europe, with its most recent unveiling at Galería RGR's solo exhibition "The Instability of the Real" in Mexico City. Its reactivation at Art Basel Miami Beach marks a significant rediscovery for a new generation, reaffirming the historical and sensorial impact of Soto's work.
A visit to 'Penetrable' is an experience not just for the eyes, but also for the senses. The suspended PVC tubes create a surreal atmosphere, as if wading into a wave of ocean light. As visitors move through its vast expanse, they become active participants in the artwork, dissolving the line between observer and object.
This groundbreaking installation from Soto's oeuvre is a testament to his innovative approach to kinetic art. It invites viewers to explore its dimensions freely, playfully navigating shifting paths that unfold collectively. 'Penetrable' stands as a pioneering work that embodies the artist's vision of space and time, leaving an indelible mark on our understanding of the human experience.
This monumental installation, measuring 500 x 400 x 500 centimeters, is among the last of roughly 30 versions Soto created from 1967 until his death. Composed of hundreds of suspended, flexible PVC tubes, it dissolves the line between observer and object, inviting viewers to step inside and become an integral part of the artwork.
Soto's work has long been revered for its ability to probe the interconnected notions of time and space, movement and perceptual instability. 'Penetrable' embodies this philosophy, presenting a vast geometric volume that invites spectators to navigate its shifting dimensions freely and playfully through fluid paths.
In an interview, Soto once stated, "My concept of space is very different from that of the Renaissance... [With] the Pénétrable, I reveal that man... is part of space. And this is the sensation of those who enter them and the feeling of joy and elation that you witness is similar to getting in the water and being completely liberated from gravity."
The 'Penetrable' series has undergone several major retrospectives across Europe, with its most recent unveiling at Galería RGR's solo exhibition "The Instability of the Real" in Mexico City. Its reactivation at Art Basel Miami Beach marks a significant rediscovery for a new generation, reaffirming the historical and sensorial impact of Soto's work.
A visit to 'Penetrable' is an experience not just for the eyes, but also for the senses. The suspended PVC tubes create a surreal atmosphere, as if wading into a wave of ocean light. As visitors move through its vast expanse, they become active participants in the artwork, dissolving the line between observer and object.
This groundbreaking installation from Soto's oeuvre is a testament to his innovative approach to kinetic art. It invites viewers to explore its dimensions freely, playfully navigating shifting paths that unfold collectively. 'Penetrable' stands as a pioneering work that embodies the artist's vision of space and time, leaving an indelible mark on our understanding of the human experience.
oh man I'm so stoked to see this masterpiece being showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach!! Jesús Rafael Soto's 'Penetrable' is literally like stepping into a dream world 
... it's crazy how his art makes you feel like you're becoming one with the space 
and I love how it dissolves the line between observer and object, inviting viewers to just play & explore 
. It's like, Soto was totally ahead of his time with his concept of space and time being all connected 
... and now we get to experience this incredible installation that leaves you feeling liberated & joyful 
. Can't wait to see more artists pushing boundaries like this in the future! 
i'm literally freaking out over this new soto exhibit in miami!!! "penetrable" is giving me LIFE 
it's like, totally immersive and interactive - you feel like you're actually part of the artwork, you know? 
and that PVC tube thingy is soooo trippy 
anyway, can't wait to get my hands on some merch with this masterpiece on it 
it's like being in a dream world where gravity doesn't exist. and that quote from soto about man being part of space... yeah, it's so true! we're all connected to each other and our surroundings in ways we don't even realize. 'penetrable' is more than just an art piece - it's an experience that makes you rethink your whole perspective on life 
Art Basel Miami Beach is literally taking me to another dimension with this 'Penetrable' installation by Jesús Rafael Soto 
. I love how it dissolves the line between observer and object, making you feel like you're becoming one with the artwork. It's like stepping into a dream world where gravity doesn't apply 
. The fact that there are only 30 versions of this masterpiece makes me appreciate its historical significance even more. 
I'm not surprised it's getting a new generation excited about Soto's work – it's truly a groundbreaking installation that leaves you with a sense of joy and elation 
.
it's like he's saying we're all part of this vast space together, and that's such a beautiful feeling 
it's like soto is challenging us to see ourselves as part of the art itself 
which is so refreshing. can't wait to check out more of his work! 
The way they talk about how it dissolves the line between observer and object is so true, I feel like I'm not just looking at it, I'm part of it 
And what's up with all these people wanting to be 'part of' the artwork? Can't they just enjoy it from afar like normal humans? 
. and can we talk about how genius it is to use PVC tubes? who knew they could create something so immersive with just plastic pipes and some clever engineering 
gotta experience this masterpiece for myself! 
and I've been reading reviews online... do they even make phones with 8K resolution yet? And what's up with all these big art shows like Art Basel, is it just for people who have loads of money 
or can anyone go? My friend said it was really cool but also super crowded 
i love how soto blurred the lines between observer and object, makes me wanna step inside too 
it's not just a work of art, but an experience that lets you step inside and become one with it. i love how soto's concept of space is all about blurring the lines between observer and object - it's like, what even is reality anymore? 
it's like walking into a dream world where gravity doesn't exist and time stands still. anyway, i'm definitely adding 'penetrable' to my bucket list ASAP 
. and can we talk about how beautiful it looks? 
, killing over 500 people and leaving thousands more trapped under the rubble. And it's not like we haven't seen this before... remember that devastating tsunami in 2004? 
The species is actually a sign of climate change and warming ocean temperatures. Like, what's next? More devastating natural disasters and ecosystem failures? 
. It's so cool that the artist, Jesús Rafael Soto, created all these versions of this one piece over the years - it shows how much he believed in his idea.
. And have you seen those videos online where people are walking through it and their faces light up? It's like they're experiencing a whole new level of art