In 1989, Carlos Cruz-Diez published the book Reflexión sobre el color, which was generously illustrated and contained sixteen essays written by this seminal figure in the field of “Venezuelan Kinetic Art.” Five of these essays were technical descriptions of his series (Fisicromías, 1959; Inducción cromática, 1963; Cromo-interferencias, 1964; Transcromías, 1965; and Cromosaturación, 1965). The appendix of the book lists a collection of quotes from historical and contemporary authors. This particular essay stands out among Cruz-Diez’s didactic writings because of its instructive nature, and the author’s desire to provide viewers with sufficient information about how the human eye works when looking at a color plane; especially about what is happening when viewers look at work, such as the Fisicromías. The illustrations, consisting solely of red planes and black lines, are freehand sketches that are easy to understand. Cruz-Diez displays his extensive knowledge of graphic design and communications, and reveals secrets about his techniques and discoveries. He reiterates one of his constant concerns, something he brings up in every interview, which is his goal of being widely understood and enjoyed.
[For other articles about this artist’s work, see in the ICAA digital archive the essay by Jean Clay (untitled) [“Pronto hará ocho años que Carlos Cruz-Diez…”] = [“Voici bientôt huit ans que Carlos Cruz-Diez…”] (doc. no. 858602); the article by Víctor Guédez “Vertientes plásticas y estéticas en Carlos Cruz-Diez” (doc. no. 857000); the review by Frank Popper “Cruz Diez: el acontecimiento color” (doc. no. 861671); by Freddy Carreño “Carlos Cruz-Diez: el color más allá de la materialidad” (doc. no. 858046); the interview by Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza “Entrevista a Cruz-Diez [‘No imitamos, nos imitan…’]” (doc. no. 862938); and the interview by José María Salvador “El artista en la arquitectura y la ciudad. Diálogo con Carlos Cruz-Diez” (doc. no. 858069). For articles written by Cruz-Diez, see “Estética y efectividad” (doc. no. 857857); “Estructura y eficacia del discurso plástico” (doc. no. 857928); “Dialéctica del color” (doc. no. 857888); “Didáctica y dialéctica del color” (doc. no. 858089); (untitled) [“El arte es una estructura compleja…”] (doc. no. 857019); (untitled) [“Los nuevos conceptos y experiencias que se realizan en la actualidad…”] (doc. no. 856961); “¿Por qué explicar el arte?” (doc. no. 857038); “¿Por qué una reflexión sobre el color?” (doc. no. 857817); “La construcción de un lenguaje” (doc. no. 857057); and “La reflexión” (doc. no. 857837)].