Beginners’ Slope 1966

Editor: Here we have Alexander Calder's "Beginners' Slope" from 1966, an ink on paper piece. There's a real playful energy here with these quirky figures, almost like doodles, suspended against this white background. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: What interests me is Calder’s public persona versus this work's playful seeming intimacy. We mostly remember him for large-scale public mobiles. But here, on paper, using ink, it's as if we're glimpsing his private experimentation. Consider how Abstract Expressionism, still lingering in '66, pushed for spontaneous expression. Does this resonate with what you see here? Editor: I can see the spontaneity, definitely. The dripping ink, the simple lines...it feels immediate, like he’s capturing a fleeting thought. It is a very distinct, and divergent approach from his better known sculptures. It looks cartoonish in its quick and easy read. It also kind of appears unfinished or like practice work for the real deal, that's quite thought provoking given Calder's background and stature. What does the cartoonish, spontaneous, even juvenile feel have to say in connection with his role in art at that time? Curator: The perceived ‘unfinished’ quality is exactly what complicates his status as a master. By appearing naive, he bypasses the need for highbrow artistic statements, almost as if suggesting art can exist outside the usual constructs. Isn't that interesting considering the era and how much he broke norms? Editor: That’s a fascinating way to look at it. He’s playing with the idea of what "art" even is. And that idea comes across so strong for me, now. It gives Beginners’ Slope an edgier tone that juxtaposes against my first reading of its tone as innocent and youthful. Curator: Precisely! This piece pushes us to reconsider how an artist's playful exploration can subvert institutional expectations. Editor: So, it's more than just a whimsical drawing. It challenges our notions of artistic value and public image. A perfect summation and an excellent new read for me!