Canone variato V 1975

Fausto Melotti made this delicate, linear sculpture, *Canone variato V*, using metal rods that resemble musical notes suspended in air. Imagine the artist in his studio, bending and shaping each slender line by hand, coaxing them into subtle curves and spirals. I wonder if Melotti felt like a conductor, orchestrating these metal elements into a harmonious composition. I love how each rod has its own character, some standing tall and straight, others arching gracefully or twirling playfully at the top. It’s as if they are engaged in a silent dance, each responding to the others in a delicate choreography. This piece reminds me of Alexander Calder’s wire sculptures, or even the calligraphic gestures in Cy Twombly’s paintings – artists who were also interested in capturing the ephemeral quality of line and movement. All of them reveal how the simplest of materials can be transformed into something poetic and profound. These artists share ideas, inspiring each other’s creativity across time. So wonderful to let a piece wash over you and mean different things at different times.