Untitled
Roberto Aizenberg
Rolled bronze: 3.90 x 5 x 1.70 m. Sculpture made from a sketch by the artist
2003
The sculpture was carried out on the basis of one of the artist´s original sketch and refers to his family. Valeria, being pregnant, Martín and José, Maltide Herrera´s children, Aizenberg´s life partner, all of them disappeared between 1976 and 1977. Therefore, taking into account this individual story, one may allude to all victims of State Terrorism. In this group portrait the contours enclose a void that indicates the absence of their bodies, while at the same time marking their indelible presence. The piece interacts with the landscape as the River Plate appears through its figures; the river being the final destiny of many of the victims.
Roberto Aizenberg (Capital Federal, Argentina,
1928-1996) He began to study painting in Antonio Berni’s studio and continued his education with Juan Battle Planas between 1950 and 1953. In 1969, he had an exhibition at the Instituto Di Tella titled «Obras 1947/68» (Works 1947/68) which earned him recognition. Following his children being disappeared in 1976, he sought exile in Paris. In 1981 he moved
to Tarquina, Italy, and three years later, returned to Buenos Aires. He was awarded the Premio Konex-Diploma al Mérito in both 1982 and 1992, and was the guest of honor at the Feria de Galerías Arte BA in
1995. In September, 2001 an important retrospective show of his work was held at the Centro Cultural Recoleta, curated by Marcelo Pacheco. Since 2003, one of Aizenberg’s works has figured in the series of «Pintura Argentina» postcards issued by the Correo Argentino. In 2013, the «Roberto Aisenberg, Transcendencia/Descendencia» (Roberto Aisenberg, Transcendence/ Descendants) show was held at the Museo Colección Fortabat, curated by Valeria González, bringing together sixty-five works by the artist along with production by several contemporary artists. The show aimed to highlight the influence that his work had on subsequent generations.
