Waltercio Caldas at Galerie Denise René: Geometric Sculptures Balancing Presence and Absence

During the France-Brazil year, Galerie Denise René in Paris presented an exhibition of recent works by Brazilian artist Waltercio Caldas (born 1946 in Rio de Janeiro). The show, running from May 15 to late July 2009, featured geometric sculptures that combine tubular stainless steel structures with materials such as marble, granite, aluminum, vinyl paint, and wool threads. These works oscillate between tension and relaxation, rigidity and fragility, straight lines and curves, as well as flat wall planes and volumes projecting into space. The largest piece, ST (110 x 94 x 71 cm), is a delicate, almost airy assembly of metal tubes partially painted in vermilion red, with black wool threads forming a rectangle that intertwines with the metal structure. Other works like Donde and Amarelo feature flat color fields in mauve and yellow, painted on aluminum or directly on the wall, with rounded or rectangular metal forms creating a pop-up effect against the wall. Caldas, a fervent creator of books since the 1970s, also exhibited ink drawings with acrylic or pastel, reminiscent of the geometric collages in the less sophisticated, more incisive drawings of Brazilian artist Willys de Castro. The exhibition was reviewed by Carole Boulbès in artpress.