The mobiles of Alexander Calder

The mobiles of American artist Alexander “Sandy” Calder (1898–1976) are delicate kinetic sculptures using cutout shapes reminiscent of natural forms (birds, fish, falling leaves).

The mobiles move in response to air currents, meaning that they are not completely under human control.

The existentialist philosopher Jean–Paul Sartre praised Calder’s mobiles, describing them as “lyrical invention.”

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Big Red (1058, source)
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Snow Flury, I (1948, source)
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A selection at the Tate Modern in London (source)

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