Evolution 1971

Alexander Calder made this in 1971, a painting, a constellation of lively forms outlined in thick black paint, dancing on a white background. The act of painting must have felt spontaneous, almost like a game. I can imagine Calder, with brush in hand, allowing shapes to emerge intuitively, one leading to the next, like a visual stream of consciousness. The colors—red, orange, and blue—feel so primary, so elemental. What was he thinking as he laid down those strokes? Look at that single blue stroke, how it slices through the composition like a bolt of lightning, injecting a jolt of energy into the mix! It’s not just color; it’s a feeling, an attitude. Calder's work reminds us that painting is a conversation, a dialogue with the past and a playful jab at the future. These forms echo Joan Miró or Jean Arp, but they have Calder’s unmistakable stamp on them. It’s about embracing the unknown, trusting the process, and letting the painting evolve.