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Peter Alexander — Untitled (sphere within cube)
Peter Alexander

Untitled (sphere within cube)

1965

Peter Alexander's "Untitled (sphere within cube)" from 1965 is a compact yet conceptually charged object that places two of geometry's most fundamental forms in direct, silent dialogue. Measuring just 21 × 21 × 21 centimeters, the work encases a perfect sphere within a transparent cube of cast polyester resin, a material Alexander was among the first Los Angeles artists to champion as a primary sculptural medium. The clarity of the resin suspends the sphere in a state of permanent, weightless tension, making the interior visible from every vantage point and inviting the viewer to rotate around the piece in search of a singular resolution that never arrives. The work sits at the heart of the Light and Space movement, reflecting the Southern California preoccupation with perception, materiality, and the behavior of light as it passes through and refracts within translucent volumes. Alexander's choice of resin was not merely formal; it carried a distinct regional sensibility, evoking the luminous quality of Pacific coastline light and aligning his practice with contemporaries such as Larry Bell and Craig Kauffman. Yet this piece carries its own quiet authority, framing the inherent incompatibility of a curved surface and a rectilinear boundary as something meditative rather than combative. Dating to the very early phase of Alexander's resin investigations, this signed 1965 work represents a foundational moment in both his career and the broader history of postwar West Coast sculpture. Its modest scale belies its intellectual weight, making it well-suited to a refined private collection where sustained, close looking is possible. NYEHAUS presents the piece in unframed condition, allowing the object to stand entirely on its own terms.

Overall
Signed
Yes

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About this work

Peter Alexander, Untitled (sphere within cube) , 1965

Peter Alexander's "Untitled (sphere within cube)" from 1965 is a compact yet conceptually charged object that places two of geometry's most fundamental forms in direct, silent dialogue. Measuring just 21 × 21 × 21 centimeters, the work encases a perfect sphere within a transparent cube of cast polyester resin, a material Alexander was among the first Los Angeles artists to champion as a primary sculptural medium. The clarity of the resin suspends the sphere in a state of permanent, weightless tension, making the interior visible from every vantage point and inviting the viewer to rotate around the piece in search of a singular resolution that never arrives. The work sits at the heart of the Light and Space movement, reflecting the Southern California preoccupation with perception, materiality, and the behavior of light as it passes through and refracts within translucent volumes. Alexander's choice of resin was not merely formal; it carried a distinct regional sensibility, evoking the luminous quality of Pacific coastline light and aligning his practice with contemporaries such as Larry Bell and Craig Kauffman. Yet this piece carries its own quiet authority, framing the inherent incompatibility of a curved surface and a rectilinear boundary as something meditative rather than combative. Dating to the very early phase of Alexander's resin investigations, this signed 1965 work represents a foundational moment in both his career and the broader history of postwar West Coast sculpture. Its modest scale belies its intellectual weight, making it well-suited to a refined private collection where sustained, close looking is possible. NYEHAUS presents the piece in unframed condition, allowing the object to stand entirely on its own terms.

Dimensions
overall: 21 x 21 x 21 cm
Year
1965
Signed
Hand-signed by the artist
Seen at
NYEHAUS

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Collected by

Jim Arnone, Kylie Cohen, Alex Capecelatro