Abstraction 1966

Alexander Calder made this 'Abstraction' sometime in his career, using simple shapes and bold colors, like a kid playing with construction paper, but with the sophistication of someone who knows exactly what they're doing. The surface is flat, clean, almost like it's been printed. The colors are pure, direct, not mixed or muddled. It's like Calder is saying, "Here are the basics: color, form, space. What else do you need?" Look at the black spiral. It's so playful, like a doodle you'd make while talking on the phone, but it also feels infinite. It pulls you in, around and around, without ever really going anywhere. It reminds me of Joan Miro, another artist who knew how to make serious art out of childlike gestures. Calder isn't trying to trick you or impress you with skill. He’s inviting you to see the world with a sense of wonder and simplicity.