For more than 30 years, Arthur Silverman (1923-2018) of New Orleans created artworks arising out of explorations of this angular form. "The tetrahedron is very exciting visually," Silverman explained. "It's very difficult to anticipate what you are going to see. Every step around a piece gives you a different view."
This colorful trio of tetrahedra, dubbed Painted Trio, can be found on Poydras Street in New Orleans. It's one of the few Silverman sculptures that's painted.
Located in front of City Hall in New Orleans, this sculpture resulted from removing tetrahedral forms from a rectangular block.
It's sometimes hard to tell that Silverman's sculptures are based on the tetrahedron.
Silverman created a dramatic, tetrahedron-based menorah outside Temple Sinai in New Orleans.
Changing the orientation of this Silverman sculpture, about 20 inches high, gives observers startlingly different views.
Silverman's outdoor sculptures survived the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Water filled his studio to a depth of about 12 inches, leaving distinct waterlines on several sculptures that had stood on the floor. Some smaller sculptures were knocked off their pedestals, resting in brackish water for days. Interestingly, several of these pieces developed a deep, rich patina--the weathered look of survivors.
Partially immersed in floodwaters for days after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this tall Silverman sculpture displays the resulting waterline.
In 2007 at age 82, Silverman stopped creating new works. He turned his studio into a gallery where visitors could wander about and ponder the tetrahedron's amazing versatility, as unveiled by an artist's imagination.
In 2006, Silverman stopped creating new works and turned his sculpture studio into a gallery, showcasing many of his artworks.
Originally posted January 15, 2007.
Photos by I. Peterson
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