Exploding 1967

Alexander Calder made this painting in 1967 with broad marks of primary colours – oranges, yellows, and blues – contrasted with blacks and grays. I can imagine Calder in his studio, working quickly and intuitively, laying down these shapes with decisive strokes, probably in one sitting. I wonder, was he thinking of the cosmos, of planets aligning? Or maybe these forms represent something more personal, like memories or emotions floating in space? The black shapes, almost like dark matter, pull the brighter colours into their orbit. The paint looks quite thin, almost like gouache, which gives the forms a lightness and buoyancy. These gestures remind me of Joan Miró, another artist who explored similar biomorphic shapes. It’s like they’re all in conversation with each other across time, riffing on the same themes but with their own unique voices. Painting is often about embracing uncertainty, letting the act of creation guide you. Each gesture is a question, an exploration, a step into the unknown.