Name/Title
Black Forest Polyhedron FormsEntry/Object ID
1983.0014.0001Description
Robinson Fredenthal created a variety of sculptures that, like this work, involve stacked, leaning, or perfectly balanced tetrahedra. Discussing his affinity for the three-dimensional figure, Fredenthal once said, “I can’t think of anything more perfect than a tetrahedron…. If visitors came from outer space I’d hand them a tetrahedron, and they would understand.”
The artist’s inclination toward geometric sculptures, however, had a tragic beginning. While he was studying Penn’s Graduate School of Fine Arts, Fredenthal began experiencing the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Forced to abandon the intricate drawings that an architectural career demanded of him, he turned to the sculptural exploration of geometry.
He began creating simpler geometric models and soon developed the unique style for which he is known today. As his disease progressed and his physical mobility diminished, Fredenthal was able to continue making art with the help of his assistants.Dimensions
Dimension Description
SizeHeight
96 inWidth
149 inDepth
48 in