Untitled (S.027, Hanging, Six-and-a-Half Open Hyperbolic Shapes That Penetrate Each Other)
1954
Ruth Asawa's vertical hanging sculpture presents six and a half open hyperbolic forms that interpenetrate one another along a central axis, creating a mesmerizing cascade of interlocking organic geometries. Hand looped and woven wire in iron, copper, and brass produces a delicate yet structurally complex form that casts intricate shadows against the surrounding wall. The work is catalogued as S.027 and exemplifies Asawa's pioneering exploration of negative and positive space through the medium of wire. Acquired through a gift from an anonymous donor together with the 2018 Collectors Committee and additional support from The Buddy Taub Foundation and Dennis A. Roach and Jill Roach, Directors.
- Medium
- Iron, copper, and brass wire
Notes
Museum accession number: M.2018.77. Catalogue number: S.027. Acquired 2018. Sculpture is displayed on a black circular pedestal base.
Spotted works by Ruth Asawa
Artists in conversation
Harry Bertoia
American · b. 1915
Bertoia worked in welded and woven wire to create sculptural forms that explore transparency, negative space, and organic geometry, closely paralleling Asawa's hand looped wire technique and the interplay of light through open metallic structures.
Gego
Venezuelan · b. 1912
Gego constructed hanging wire and mesh sculptures that cascade through space using interlocking geometric and organic units, sharing Asawa's commitment to wire as a primary medium for exploring volume, transparency, and interconnected open forms.
Kenneth Snelson
American · b. 1927
Snelson built suspended sculptural structures in metal that investigate the tension between positive and negative space along a vertical axis, echoing Asawa's hyperbolic interpenetrating forms and the structural complexity achieved through repeated geometric modules.
Start the Discussion
Request access to join the discussion