Sphere within a Sphere

Sfera stera, or "Sphere within a Sphere," is a sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro that consists of two spheres, one inside the other. This piece is part of a series of spherical compositions that are some of the artist's most well-known works.

Arnaldo Pomodoro, born in 1926 in Morciano di Romagna and based in Milan since 1954, is considered a major contemporary sculptor. His works can be found in collections around the world and have been exhibited in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Japan.

Pomodoro is known for his large, geometrical sculptures that carry symbolic meaning. By breaking and destroying the surface of the sphere, which represents the process of corrosion, the artist reveals its interior. The outer sphere appears to have a thin, torn shell, but it is actually thick and irregular, containing a smaller sphere surrounded by small, gear-like elements. The smaller sphere also has a jagged, irregular surface and a fragmented structure. The contrast between the smooth exterior and the complex, irregular interior can be seen as a metaphor for the fractured nature of the contemporary world, but also as a reflection of the Renaissance-era longing for an ideal city.

During the beginning of his career, Pomodoro created relief sculptures. In the 1960s, he turned his attention to creating three-dimensional works in the form of geometrical shapes, such as spheres, disks, pyramids, cones, columns, and cubes. These sculptures are usually made of bronze and have a polished surface, but are full of fractures, gaps, and holes. By revealing the inner structure of the sculptures, Pomodoro highlights the contrast between their polished exteriors and the complex systems within.