The

Pain

of

Others,

Alfredo

Jaar’s

‘The

Geometry

of

Solitude’

Alfredo Jaar’s solo exhibition at Goodman Gallery in Cape Town, ‘The Geometry of Solitude’, may initially seem minimalist in its purity and simplicity. Still, it subtly conveys a sense of tension and complexity. In a recent interview, Jaar discusses his approach to “critical minimalism,” a term he coined to describe his work. Inspired by the social and political upheaval of the 1960s and 70s, Jaar reflects on the contrast between the minimalist art of that era—characterised by its simple, geometric forms—and the turbulent events of the time, such as student protests and the Civil Rights Movement. His work seeks to infuse meaning back into these simple forms, creating art that engages with history and society in a critical and reflective way.