Formes 1970

Alexander Calder made this painting, titled Formes, at some point in his career, using a striking palette of bold primary colors and graphic black lines. You know, it's funny, as a painter, I always find myself thinking about the artist's process. What was Calder thinking? How did he approach the canvas? The painting's surface is flat, but the colors really vibrate against each other. It's almost like you can feel the push and pull of the shapes, the way they're bumping up against those heavy black outlines. Look at that big circle, for instance, split right down the middle with yellow and red. It’s like a planet cut in half, or maybe a really stylish pie chart. Calder was known for his mobiles, and I can really see that sense of playful, floating forms in this work, too. It kind of makes me think of Joan Miró, but with an even more pared-down, graphic sensibility. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art doesn't have to be serious or literal; it can be about pure joy and experimentation.