X Marks The Spot 1968

"X Marks The Spot" was made by Alexander Calder in 1968, we think, using gouache and ink on paper. I always find myself drawn to Calder’s color palette; these ochres, oranges and blacks against the white of the paper are so playful, so unpretentious. It's about gesture, about capturing a sense of lightness and movement. I think of artmaking as a process, an ongoing experiment, and Calder really embodies this. The texture here is subtle but present. The gouache gives a matte finish, while the ink lines are crisp and defined. The brushstrokes are visible, and you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the paper. Take that orange circle with the cross through it; it seems so simple, but it's also dynamic, full of energy. It really pops against the muted background. Calder reminds me of Miró in some ways, both artists sharing a similar sense of whimsy and love for abstract forms. But Calder's use of line and color is entirely his own. For me, this piece is a reminder that art can be both intellectually engaging and joyful at the same time.