Moon 1986

This piece, "Moon," by Edgar Negret, uses a limited range of tones, ochres and browns, to suggest a celestial orb. Like much of his work, it's less about surface decoration and more about a kind of structural poetry. You can see how Negret constructs forms out of modular elements, almost like a cosmic erector set. I think this approach gives his sculptures a sense of possibility, an openness to change and reinterpretation. The surfaces are matte, almost industrial, which contrasts nicely with the natural subject. Look at how the circles overlap, creating these slivers of light and shadow. It’s like the moon in its waxing and waning phases, a reminder of constant flux. Negret's sculpture reminds me of the constructivist sculptures of Naum Gabo; however, Negret brings a distinctly Latin American sensibility, infusing hard-edged abstraction with warmth and sensuality. Ultimately, this piece invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe through the lens of human ingenuity.