Eduardo Chillida Convergence at SDMA

 by Patricia Frischer

Drawing a line in the air is a flowing gesture; imagine an orchestra conductor and the motion of his baton. It swoops, it soars, it is pointed or flat. Capturing that ultra-light movement and making it out of iron, steel, oak, alabaster and/or clay is a challenge that the Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida masters. Yes, these very heavy materials seem counter intuitive, but they do add weight and substance to Chillida’s subjects – earth, sea, wind and light. You can see his thought process in the many drawing and collages included in this show
    Eduardo Chillida Convergence on view until Feb 8 at the San Diego Museum of Art. 

A favorite quote from the exhibition by Chillida:

Johann Sebastian Back, A tribute. 

modern as the waves
ancient as the sea
always never different
never always the same

I was not familiar with this artist who passed away in 2002 until this first in 50 years retrospective of his work. Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director & CEO of the museum, has made it her mission to expand our knowledge of all things Latino and it is a job very well done. Beautifully laid out and with informative signage and fantastic shadows from excellent lighting, it is an elegant showing and supplies that stress free experience so often needed in these angst-ridden times.

The exception to this is the very exciting immersive five-minute virtual reality video which takes you to the edge of your seat by viewing the Comb of the Wind XV, three enormous sculptures set on the steep bluff overlooking La Concha Bay in San Sebastián, Spain. Literally, I had to hold onto my seat! You get closer to this massive work than you could in real life and it reveals all the power of the steel and the relentless sea below it. (There is a $5 extra charge for non-members for this roller coaster ride.)

Forged iron

"...a branch shaken by the wind."

Rough Chant; Oak structures made from salvaged beams of Basque building

Rough Chant: close up view

v

This alabaster sculpture is like a doll house but with light and permanence. 

Earth series using Chamotte clay, some natural and some with copper oxide to make it black. 

Gravitation series is juxtaposed with the Earth series to revealing a lightness with the use of paper

Comb of the Wind, photo from Spain

Maquettes for Comb of the Wind

The small study room where you can draw your own hand and add it to the collection. Gesture drawings of hands was a continued series for Chillida.  There is also a small free video showing of the artist making some of his works. 

Eduardo Chillida Convergence
On view until February 8, 2026
San Diego Museum Of Art
1450 El Prado Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat 10AM - 5PM
Sunday Noon to 5, Wednesday Closed