Untitled 1963

This print by Alexander Calder uses simple shapes and colors to create a playful sense of movement. Calder was an American artist who is best known for his invention of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture that uses air currents to create a constantly changing composition. This print shares some of the same visual language as Calder’s mobiles, with its use of simple, organic shapes and bold, primary colors. The print was made during a time of great optimism and social change in the United States, and Calder’s art reflects this spirit with its sense of freedom, energy, and possibility. His work was a radical departure from the traditional art forms of painting and sculpture and it challenged the established art institutions and galleries. Understanding the role of art and the artist in reflecting social change often depends on archival research. It requires a close look at the period and the values of different groups, as well as the way that those values are reflected in exhibition practices.