The Meeting 1968

Alexander Calder made this ink drawing, The Meeting, in 1968. He's known for his sculptures, mobiles, and wire figures, but he also made a bunch of graphic works on paper, like this one, with a cast of characters rendered with a playful simplicity. I can imagine Calder drawing this in one sitting, his hand moving freely across the page. One figure in black ink, with hypnotic spirals for eyes and a huge grin, stands next to another, striped black, with a single staring eye, like they're in the middle of some kind of kooky conversation. It’s clear that Calder had a great sense of humor and a knack for capturing the essence of a figure with just a few lines. He makes me think about Miró, Picasso, and Klee, all artists playing with form and line. What would it be like to be that free? I think we can all take inspiration from Calder’s playful approach to art, embracing the joy of creation and inviting us to see the world with fresh eyes.