Jesus Rafael Soto

Light Trap

1965

© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2021

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Not on display

Artist: Jesus Rafael Soto 1923–2005
Original title: Piège de lumière
Medium: Wood, nylon and printed paper
Dimensions: Object: 470 × 298 × 131 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Transferred from the Victoria & Albert Museum 1983
Reference: T03770

Display caption

Before he moved on to making real kinetic work Soto had explored optical effects that give the illusion of movement. The technique used here is very simple, with a vertical wire placed in front of a black and white lined background causing visual effects of flickering movement as the spectator passes by.

Gallery label, August 2004

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Catalogue entry

T03770 Light Trap 1965

Construction of wood and nylon with printed paper 18 1/2 × 11 3/4 × 5 3/8 (470 × 298 × 131)
Not inscribed
Transferred from the Victoria and Albert Museum 1983
Prov: Purchased by the Department of Circulation, Victoria and Albert Museum, from Signals London, 1966 (Circ. 140–1966)

Exh: Travelling exhibitions of the Department of Circulation, Victoria and Albert Museum

Previously listed in error at the Victoria and Albert Museum as ‘Spiral Relief’, this is a reproduction of a 1964 construction by Soto titled ‘Piège de Lumière’ which he published with Editions MAT as a multiple. In the original the background lines are white on black, and in the multiple they are black on white.

Published in:
The Tate Gallery 1982-84: Illustrated Catalogue of Acquisitions, London 1986