All Around Animals 1963

Alexander Calder made this ink on paper work, All Around Animals, in 1963. It presents a playful collection of animals rendered with the spontaneous, childlike simplicity that characterizes much of Calder's work. In mid-century America, artists often grappled with the legacy of abstract expressionism, pushing towards more accessible, yet sophisticated modes of expression. Calder, already known for his innovative mobiles, here engages with a more flattened pictorial space. The whimsical nature of the piece might seem merely decorative. However, it also reflects a broader cultural interest in reclaiming art from the high seriousness of the preceding decade. The bright colors and simple forms can be linked to a broader movement towards Pop Art. To further understand this piece, one might delve into the cultural publications of the time to understand the debates of the art world. It is through such research that we can understand art not in isolation, but as a product of specific social conditions.