Gego: Measuring Infinity - Guggenheim (275)

The exhibition Gego: Measuring Infinity is a collection of around 200 two and three-dimensional form-focused works made by German-Venezuelan artist Gertrud Goldschmidt displayed at the Guggenheim. The show consists of five wrapping rotunda floors with pieces arranged uniformly and chronologically. The work utilizes a variety of mediums including sculptures, drawings, prints, and textiles, but most notable are the sculptures and their use of wire to create both geometric and organic shapes and patterns.

The wire sculptures feel both structured and delicate with designs ranging from simple to more complex forms, but all are quite minimal and clean. Most of the sculptures are neutral in color, and many of them seem to be precariously balanced and almost defy gravity with nothing but what appears to be clear fishing line holding them in place. Gego’s focus on form uses structure through lines and shapes to create and explore spatial relationships and movement. There is an element of illusion to the pieces with lines intersecting and overlapping, so as one moves through the space these same lines shift to create another perspective of the piece. 

In addition to the sculptures, other mediums like drawing and textiles cement Gego’s interest in geometric abstraction. Similar to the sculptures, these drawings use convergence of lines and shapes to create intriguing and eye-catching patterns and compositions. Unlike the sculptures, the drawings feel less minimal, utilizing more color and less negative space, which gave more context to Gego as an artist. 

Because the show chronologically displayed around 40 years of art, walking through the floors really felt like a look into the history of Gego’s work as well as progression of her ideas. 

-Gabrielle