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The Limits of the Possible

Original Language TitleLos Límites de lo Posible
Artist Jose Dávila (Mexican, born 1974)
CultureMexican
Date2023
MediumWhite Bego marble and green Jasper marble
DimensionsOverall: 46 7/8 × 39 3/8 × 41 15/16 inches (119.06 × 100.01 × 106.52 cm)
.1 (White Base): 27 5/8 × 27 1/2 × 27 5/8 inches, 940 lb. (70.17 × 69.85 × 70.17 cm, 426.38 kg)
.2 (Green Top): 18 3/4 × 28 1/2 × 36 inches, 740 lb. (47.63 × 72.39 × 91.44 cm, 335.66 kg)
Credit LineCollection of Shirley Bush Helzberg
Object number33.2023.1,2
On View
On view
Gallery Label

Mexican artist Jose Dávila’s provocative title for this sculpture, The Limits of the Possible, suggests a nearly impossible achievement. Challenging physics and defying gravity, the raw green marble precariously balances atop the polished white marble base to create a visual and conceptual equilibrium. “My fascination with balance, gravity, and the laws of physics is deeply rooted in the fundamental principles that govern our physical world,” Dávila explains. “These elements are not just scientific concepts; they are the invisible forces that shape our daily experiences and interactions with the material world.”

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