Miguel Berrocal (Spanish, 1933-2006) Romeo & Juliet Brass multiple, circa 1966-67, comprising 16 interlocking elements excluding base, stamped 'Berrocal 386' underneath, from the total edition of 2,000 Overall 100 x 225 x 89mm (4 x 8 7/8 x 3 1/2in) Footnotes: Spanish sculptor Miguel Ortiz Berrocal had a simple mission: 'How to awaken people to sculpture'. His method was his 'puzzle sculptures' or as he sometimes called them his 'assembled multiples'. With these puzzle sculptures Berrocal allows the viewer to 'look with the hands' - we can take them apart and explore how each volume defines space individually, then we join the pieces together with its partners to create a larger fuller form. Berrocal was born on 28 September 1933 in Villanueva de Algaidas, a town in the province of Málaga, Spain. As a child he constructed his own toys out of found materials, which allowed him to develop an intricate understanding of geometry and a fascination with science. In 1962 Berrocal began his puzzle sculptures: he would start with a sketch of the statue and then break it down into a number of parts to form the first prototype. Refining these elements would continue over the years until the final prototype could be reproduced in metal; a cast was made from the metal piece to produce injection moulded forms, where bronze was forced into the mould. Berrocal wanted the sculptures to engage as many people as possible, and he developed the technology that could cast multiple versions on a large scale at an affordable price. There were two thousand copies of Romeo and Juliet; they came with an assembly booklet to help the owner fully experience the visual pleasure and mental challenge provided by his fascinating work of art. Berrocal designed many puzzle sculptures - Romeo and Juliet dates from 1966 and breaks down into sixteen distinct parts; in both his large static works and his smaller interactive puzzle sculptures, Berrocal intricate interwoven forms implied the interlocked nature of existence infusing them with a sensual playful dynamic that makes life struggle sustainable. Source: Bechtler Museum, North Carolina, US, film presentation 'Miguel Berrocal - 'Romeo & Juliet'', 2017. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * AR * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. AR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing