El Maíz, Abstract sculpture at Organization of American States, Washington, D.C., United States
El Maíz is an abstract aluminum sculpture at the Organization of American States headquarters featuring geometric forms that create a stylized representation of corn. The roughly 71-centimeter-tall work combines industrial materials with organic contours.
Colombian artist Édgar Negret created this aluminum work in 1996 as part of a series exploring agricultural subjects through abstract modern forms. The piece emerged during a period when Negret was developing his formal language and investigating the relationship between industry and nature.
The work represents corn, a fundamental crop across Latin America, through contemporary metalwork that bridges traditional farming practices with modern artistic creation.
The sculpture is located in the Organization of American States headquarters building and viewable during regular operating hours. Visitors should check ahead about access restrictions, as the building sits in a sensitive diplomatic area.
The yellow paint references the natural color of corn kernels directly, anchoring the abstract form in the visual reality of the plant material. This color choice reveals how Negret deliberately bridges geometric abstraction and immediate observation of nature.
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