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 If you’re fascinated by the intersection of art, philosophy, and pure, unadulterated genio (genius), then Xul Solar is a nombre (name) you must know. This enigmatic Argentine artist isn’t just a pintor (painter); he was a polymath, a mystic, and a visionary who dreamt of a universal language and transformed the universo (universe) onto small, vibrant canvases.

Diving into his world in Buenos Aires is a profound cultural experience and a fantastic ocasión (opportunity) to have truly unique conversations in Spanish!

Xul Solar, Buenos Aires' Cosmic Dreamer

Pure, unadulterated vanguardist true genius from Zona Norte.

“Soy el director de un teatro que todavía no funciona…”

Astrological Planet Symbols

A Mind Beyond Categories

Born Oscar Agustín Alejandro Schulz Solari (1887-1963), Xul Solar (he adopted his cosmic-sounding name later) was truly a polímata (polymath). He dabbled in everything: he studied arquitectura (architecture), was deeply engrossed in music, astrología (astrology), the occult, and philosophy. He also spoke seven languages and, not surprisingly, his most audacious undertaking was creating new ones.

His curiosidad (curiosity) was inexhaustible. His interests ranged from mathematics, biology, metaphysics, architecture, music, Persian and Arabic scriptures, Muslim religions, Rumi’s Sufism, the Upanishads of Hinduism, the Zen Avesta, alchemy, St. Francis of Assisi, Zen Buddhism, the I Ching, and astrology. His biblioteca (library) consisted of over three thousand titles. 

“Soy campeón del mundo de un panjuego que todavía nadie conoce: el panajedrez. Soy maestro de una escritura que nadie lee todavía. Soy creador de una nueva técnica musical, de una grafía musical que permitirá que el estudio del piano, por ejemplo, sea posible en la tercera parte del tiempo que hoy lleva estudiarlo. Soy creador de una lengua universal –la panlingua– sobre base numérica y astrológica, que tanto contribuiría a que los pueblos se conociesen mejor unos a otros. Soy creador del neocriollo, lengua que reclama al mundo de Latinoamérica. Soy el director de un teatro que todavía no funciona…”.

“I am a world champion of a pan-game that no one knows yet: pan-chess. I am a master of a writing style that no one reads yet. I am the creator of a new musical technique, of a musical spelling that will allow the study of the piano, for example, to be possible in a third of the time it takes today. I am the creator of a universal language—the panlingua—based on numeric and astrological principles, which would contribute so much to peoples‘ better understanding of one another. I am the creator of neo-Creole, a language that reclaims the Latin American world. I am the director of a theater that is not yet operational…”

His relevancia (relevance) in the Argentine art scene is immense.  Xul Solar was a force of intellectual and artistic inspiración (inspiration). His art, typically small-scale watercolors (often on glass painted on both sides), are portals to mystical worlds populated by fantastical beings and cosmic landscapes.

A central figure in the vanguardia (avant-garde) movement of the 1920s and a close friend of legendary writer Jorge Luis Borges.

  • Borges delivered his eulogy at his funeral and described him as “one of the most singular events of our era”. 
  • Writer Manuel Mujica Láinez authored the obituary for Xul Solar, which was published in the newspaper La Nación, marking a significant homage to the artist’s life and legacy.

“Recuerdo su sentido del humor, de la broma y el hecho de que no era en absoluto convencional”, dijo Borges sobre Xul Solar, recordandolo durante una conferencia de 1975: “Es uno de los tres hombres de cuya inteligencia no dudé nunca”.

“I remember his sense of humor, his joking, and the fact that he was not at all conventional,” Borges said of Xul Solar when he remembered him during a 1975 lecture: “He is one of the three men whose intelligence I never doubted”.

Speaking the Universe: The Magic of Pan Lengua

One of Xul Solar’s most fascinating creations was Pan Lengua (Universal Language). He invented words, as a phonetic, ideographic language meant to transcend cultural barriers and facilitate universal communication through signos (signs) and símbolos (symbols). Imagine the ambition! He also crafted Neocriollo, a simplified blend of Spanish and Portuguese.

He believed that language could bridge gaps between different cultures and disciplines. The Pan lengua was intended to be a monosyllabic language without traditional  gramática (grammar), featuring an invented script and a duodecimal number system (like the 12 astrological signs). It is a philosophical and artistic endeavor, based on the combination of letters and syllables to convey ideas in a simple and functional way. 

Each consonant in the Pan lengua represented a categoría (category) of ideas, while vowels were used in polarities of positive and negative.

  • The letter “T” represents concepts related to quantity, such as “Ti” (little), “Tu” (a lot), “To” (more), and “Te” (less). 
  • Letter “R.” Xul Solar considered this letter to be the most mobile, indicating action, and is associated with Sagittarius. “Rra” (to act), “Rri” (to make or fabricate), “Rru” (to undo), “Rre” (to exchange), and “Rro” (to move).
Xul Solar Panachess board

Trivia! Xul also invented Pan Chess, a modified chess game with new pieces full of symbols and reglas (rules), and even designed his own unique pieces and board (12 squares by 12 squares, 12 as the astrological signs). The game was intended to create a connection between players and even gaze over your astrological fate each time. 

Xul Solar Experience in Buenos Aires

Ready to step into Xul’s extraordinary world? Buenos Aires offers you the perfect places to do just that, creating wonderful chances to conversar (to converse) and practice your Spanish:

  1. The Museo Xul Solar: His Home, His Universe
    • Why it’s unique: Xul Solar’s former house and studio is a wonderful starting point to glide into his symbolic world. Stepping inside feels like entering his very mind. It’s an intimate, intensely personal space filled with his mesmerizing small paintings, his transformed musical instruments, and his invented games. (Laprida 1212, C1425EKF Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina)
    • Practice Opportunity: The staff here is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate. Don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation! Ask about specific artworks, his life, or his ideas (ideas). It’s a fantastic place to use those descriptive adjectives you’ve been learning! “Este cuadro (painting) es muy misterioso (mysterious),” or “¿Qué significa este símbolo?” (What does this symbol mean?). (Avenida Pte Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Buenos Aires C1425CLA Argentina).
  2. MALBA (Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires): A Broader Context
    • Why it’s important: The MALBA is a must-visit for any art lover in Buenos Aires and frequently features Xul Solar’s works in its permanent colección (collection) or special exposiciones (exhibitions). It provides a broader context for Xul’s place within Latin American modern art (Avenida Pte Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Buenos Aires C1425CLA Argentina).
    • Practice Opportunity: Engage with other visitors about their favorite pieces, or ask the information desk for recomendaciones (recommendations) on current exhibitions. It’s a more international environment, so you might find yourself practicing your Spanish alongside other curious travelers!
  3. An Escape to  Casa Museo Xul Solar in Tigre
    • Why it’s inspiring: Xul Solar, like Borges, spent time living in Tigre, a charming town north of Buenos Aires at the heart of the Paraná Delta. The intricate waterways and lush nature of the Delta surely influenced his cosmic visions. Here you can visit the Casa Museo Xul Solar, where he lived his last years and died in 1963 (Chacabuco y los Ciruelos, Villa Ñata, B1648 Dique Luján, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina).
    • Practice Opportunity: Take an excursión (excursion) to Tigre! Visit the lively Puerto de Frutos (Fruit Port), a bustling market where you can practice Spanish with vendors, haggle prices, and ask about local products. Then, take a boat ride through the Delta, listening to local guides describe the unique ecosystem. It’s a wonderful contrast to the city’s intensity and a natural setting for conversar (to converse) about nature and local life.

Why Xul Solar is Perfect for Your Spanish Journey

Engaging with Xul Solar’s work pushes your Spanish beyond basic phrases as his work was meant to create a deep and introspective journey. You’ll find yourself discussing abstract concepts, exploring mystical ideas, and debating the nature of communication. This kind of curiosidad (curiosity) fuels genuine, deeper language practice.

Handy Spanish Words for Your Buenos Aires Trip

  • Museo: Museum
  • Exposición: Exhibition
  • Artista: Artist
  • Barrio: Neighborhood
  • Entrada: Entrance/Ticket (for a museum)
  • Subte: Subway (how you’ll get around Buenos Aires!)
  • Interesante: Interesting
  • Único/a: Unique
  • Inspiración: Inspiration
  • Recomendación: Recommendation
  • Significado: Meaning

Let TangoSpanish be your guide to this incredible linguistic and cultural adventure. Our native teachers can help you preparing to truly connect with the fascinating stories and minds, like Xul Solar’s, that make Buenos Aires so único (unique)!

Ready to start your journey into Spanish and discover the cosmic wonders of Buenos Aires?

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