Stabile 1954

Curator: Let's consider "Stabile," a 1954 metal sculpture by Lolo Soldevilla. It strikes me as almost playful in its lightness, defying the solidity we typically associate with sculpture. Editor: It certainly has a whimsical quality. The linear elements and cut-out shapes remind me of simplified constellations or perhaps a symbolic celestial map. Curator: The genius lies in the relationships between the lines and the void they define. Observe how Soldevilla has carefully arranged these geometric forms to create a dynamic tension, an equilibrium that is visually stimulating. Note that none of the oval shapes are identical and consider their unique relationships to the center of the circle. Editor: Precisely! The ovals create an implied narrative. The composition evokes memories of Calder’s mobiles. Circles, often symbols of completion or eternity, here appear fragmented, orbiting a central axis. They seem to be suggesting a more complex relationship between stability and dynamism. Curator: Her use of line, reducing form to its barest essence, achieves incredible economy of expression. Look closely at the point where the metal touches the rounded base. The surface is very rough to create visual and literal stability for the form. It's a delicate balancing act between line, shape, and space, reflecting the broader aesthetics of mid-century modernism. Editor: Do you think she was drawing on specific cultural references? The central, bisected circle is strongly suggestive of solar and lunar symbolism—the coming together of opposites or the integration of masculine and feminine energies. Also the balance suggests equilibrium and serenity. Curator: That’s insightful. While it could certainly resonate with those archetypal images, her formalism is really at the forefront. Her treatment of surface, dimension, and shape. I do like to let viewers bring their own understanding into a viewing experience though, for greater enrichment. Editor: I agree, and in this instance I also appreciated the emphasis on material presence with these reductive, simplified forms and symbols. Curator: Ultimately, Soldevilla’s “Stabile” encourages a reflection on the fundamental elements of art. Editor: A chance to interpret personal relationships through geometric harmonies, perhaps, reminding us that even in simplicity, immense complexity resides.