(alexander calder’s “three discs” 1967)
alexander calder is largely credited with creating the “mobile,” a suspended, kinetic sculpture in the early 1930’s. while other artists were also experimenting with moving art (notably man ray’s “obstruction” constructed from wooden coat hangers in 1920 or aleksandr rodchenko’s “oval hanging construction no.12” also from 1920), calder explored and experimented with the art form for decades, creating some of his most recognized works. his mobiles were so dubbed by friend and fellow artist, marcel duchamp, when he was visiting calder’s studio in 1931, “mobile” being a french pun meaning both movement and motive.
(man ray’s “obstruction” 1920)
(aleksandr rodchenko’s “oval hanging construction no. 12” 1920)
(marcel duchamp photographed by julian wasser)
(alexander calder in his studio, getty image)
born into a family of sculptors and painters in lawton, pennsylvania, calder began his studies in mechanical engineering at stevens institute of technology in 1915, a departure from his artistic roots. he excelled in mathematics and was a natural engineer, but ultimately decided to pursue his art. his original sculptures were motorized to create movement, but he was intrigued by the use of air currents to facilitate a freer, more organic shifting of the suspended forms.
(alexander calder’s “maripose” 1960)
(alexander calder’s print depiction of a mobile 1973)
calder’s iconic mobiles are installed in large scale at JFK airport and MIT and have been on display at many expos and significant world events, as well as continue to be exhibited in permanent collections: the whitney, the guggenheim, the ny moma and pompidou. they are breath taking to see live… both visually stimulating with their bright, primary colors and calming in their nearly imperceptible evolutions. few of us have the space or means to install an original calder in our homes, but there are many artists inspired by calder who create smaller pieces that will draw your eye upward and add dimension and movement to your space.
(alexander calder’s “flight” 1962 photographed by ezra stoller)
this clean, white mobile found on eBay adds quiet drama to a stairwell adorned with one of sarah kinn’s abstracts and a bright, striped piece.
(photos: HBK photography)
by contrast, this all-black mobile from sky setter mobiles punctuates the corner of a neutral toned living room.
(photos: HBK photography)
other fun, colorful mobiles add whimsy and spirit to a home space.
(“tilt” by ekko mobiles, also available on amazon")
“art deco mobile in multi-color” from hanging mobile gallery featuring organic shapes with circular cut-outs)
i also love these modern mobiles in wood or metallics that take leave from the classic calderesque powder-coated primary colors.
(“large apple B” by noah spencer for fort makers)
(“mid-century modern mobile in cherry” by JFjones on etsy.
(“santa lucia mobile” in bronze from the citizenry)