ABOUT THE WORK

Grande Tavola della Memoria (1959 – 65) by Arnaldo Pomodoro is a monumental sculpture of immense physical and metaphysical complexity. This work, measuring over two meters tall and three meters long, embodies the dualities and intricate references that became foundational for Pomodoro's subsequent artistic endeavors. Through bronze panels that juxtapose stillness with dynamism, interiority with exteriority, and past with present, Pomodoro crafts an abstract yet profound representation of continuity and evolution.

This sculpture stands as the apex of Pomodoro's prolific career, symbolizing not only his artistic prowess but also the philosophical depth of his work. Its inclusion in the 1988 Venice Biennale and subsequent placement in prestigious museum exhibitions attest to its enduring significance. Grande Tavola della Memoria's monumental presence and intricate symbolism resonate with viewers, offering a profound reflection on human history and the quest for artistic and existential balance, as articulated by Pomodoro himself in his discussions on art and life, “For my work, then, I hope to strike a balance between an absolute artistic quality…and the sense of being in the midst of life, a part of its movement, and its hope for change” (Arnaldo Pomodoro, quoted in conversation with Sam Hunter, ‘An Interview with Arnaldo Pomodoro by Professor Sam Hunter, Princeton University’, Arnaldo Pomodoro, exh. cat., Milan, 1974, n. p.).