Superficies exercise 1957

This sculpture called Superficies exercise, by Tomas Maldonado is a real head-scratcher—a solid white form that seems both rigid and strangely soft. It reminds me of those experiments in art school where you're trying to break the rules of geometry. I wonder what Maldonado was thinking, wrestling with the material, bending it to his will but also letting the material dictate its own form. It's got this almost organic feel, like a man-made crystal that's been weathered by the elements. That little hole in the middle — is it an invitation? Or just a void? Painting, like sculpture, is all about this push and pull, the conversation between what you intend and what the medium allows. We’re all just feeling our way in the dark, trusting our instincts, and hoping something interesting emerges.