Remembering Raquel Rabinovich: The Art of the "Dark Source"

A Journey of Abstract Expression

Raquel Rabinovich, a visionary artist known for her enigmatic monochromatic paintings and ethereal sculptures, has gracefully departed this realm on January 5 at the ripe age of 95.

Her abstract works, particularly the Dimension Five (1969-1974) series, possess an otherworldly luminosity. They evoke a disorienting sense of entering a new dimension, their layered materials suggesting both meticulous creation and the passage of time.

Rooted in a Time of Turmoil

Born in Buenos Aires in 1929, Rabinovich's Jewish heritage became central to her artistic journey. The unstable political climate in Argentina led her and her family to seek refuge in the United States in 1967.

Quest for the "Dark Source"

It was in Buenos Aires that Rabinovich began exploring the concept of the "dark source," a hidden dimension beyond the physical world. This idea became a guiding force in her art, inspiring the deep and introspective nature of her work.

"I have been repeatedly drawn to spaces of silence and darkness... where I can access a primordial source of ideas and inspiration." -Raquel Rabinovich

Sculpting Translucence

In the 1970s, a dream led Rabinovich to create sculptures from transparent glass. Her "Tabletop Glass Sculpture (Untitled 1)" (1974) invites viewers to circumnavigate the piece, witnessing the interplay of light and shadow as planes shift.

Buddhist Influences and Site-Specific Installations

Rabinovich's practice was deeply influenced by Vipassana meditation. She traveled extensively, creating site-specific installations that explored the metaphysics of space. Her "Point/Counterpoint" (1983) at Lincoln Center used bronze-tempered glass to reflect and distort the surrounding environment.

The Hudson River's Embrace

Later in her life, Rabinovich moved to Rhinebeck, where she found inspiration in the Hudson River. Her "Emergences" (2001-2012) series featured stone sculptures emerging and submerging with the tide, offering a meditation on time and impermanence.

Legacy and Remembrance

Rabinovich's work is a testament to the power of abstract art to evoke the profound mysteries of our existence. Her passing leaves a void in the art world, but her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

"She had so many friends. She will be greatly missed." -Lucia Reissig, granddaughter