The Universe Through Calder
Alexander Calder is the artist who created hanging mobiles as we know them. I visited a Calder exhibit at the Centre Pompidou years ago, and instantly connected to his work. I loved the bold succinctness and playfulness of his work. He has a talent for reducing subjects to their essence, which I always love in art. Maybe it’s the Scandi sensibility. Maybe I just like how quickly one can connect to it.
SENSORY EXPERIENCES
Having spent time in Paris during the 1920’s, his circle included other influential names of the time, including Miro, Modrian, and Picasso. Calder chose iron wire to create 3D sculptures, of human and animal subjects, then of the cosmos. His mobile works interact with the space around it, with the circulating air, to our breath. In this way, his works are highly connected to our presence, as well as to the ambiance of its surroundings. Witnessing his kinetic sculptures, his mobiles turning slowly in the air, intrinsically creates a sensory experience.
Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976), Triple Gong c. 1948. Calder Foundation, New York, NY, USA © 2015 Calder Foundation, New York / DACS, London; via Aesthetica Magazine.
THE UNIVERSE
He had a fascination with the cosmos, and with the universe. By exploring astronomy through metal sculptures, his works reflected upon a universe where everything is intrinsically connected. In his sculptures of the universe, all the parts move separately, and yet always react to the simultaneous movements created around it, within the same system. In effect, his kinetic works reflect the universe as we know it and experience it.
Calder, Croisière , 1931 via Artsy.
Image via ABCRIT
Calder, 21 Feuilles Blanches, via Christie’s.
CALDER AT HOME
Being a craftsman and a mechanic, Calder also created numerous functional items for his own home use. Believing in the effect of surrounding ourselves with beautiful everyday items, discovering Calder’s home items is a treasure. What’s more, now we are experiencing a revived trend for mobiles at home, for which we can all thank Calder.
Thanks and credits to
“Connaissance des Arts: Calder, les années parisiennes 1926-1933”,