Sabiduras and Other Texts by Gego - Tapa dura

A fascinating group of previously unpublished texts by the Latin American artist Gego, focusing on her exploration of line, aesthetics, and the role of art in society The German-born Venezuelan artist Gego (1912-1994) was renowned for her abstract drawings, prints, threedimensional works, hanging net pieces, and wire constructions. In 1999, a folder was found in a storage trunk that had belonged to Gego, with the word Sabiduras (loosely translated as "Words of Wisdom") written on the cover, containing previously unknown texts, word poems, and notes by the artist. Subsequently, additional short texts by the artist were discovered in the archives of the Gego Foundation. This important book assembles all of these writings together for the first time, providing an unprecedented look into Gego's philosophies of art and religion, her creative thought process, and her vast knowledge. In these texts, Gego was engaged with the line as an essential element in her research and creations; the aesthetics of transparency; art as enjoyment and pleasure for the artist and for the public; and the importance of education and training for everyone. The texts in this book are published in both English and Spanish (and in some cases German, which was Gego's native language) and are preceded by introductory notes. Reproductions of some of the original texts, plans for unfulfilled projects, and previously unpublished photographs are also featured. Sabiduras and Other Texts will undoubtedly motivate students, scholars, and anyone interested in the art of Latin America to learn more about Gego's contributions to modern art.

Gego (Gertrud Goldschmidt) was born in Germany and emigrated to Venezuela in 1939. Maria Elena Huizi is an essayist, a poet, and a museologist. Josefina Manrique is the Executive Director of the Fundacion Gego in Caracas, Venezuela. Mari Carmen Ramirez is the Wortham Curator of Latin American Art and director of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.