The Star 1960

This mobile, made by Alexander Calder, presents a playful dance of shapes and colors, held in delicate balance. Here, the star at the top, a motif resonating through millennia, captures our attention. Stars, in ancient cultures, were not merely celestial bodies but potent symbols of guidance, destiny, and the divine. The Star of Bethlehem, guiding the Magi, comes to mind, or the star goddesses of ancient Egypt, symbols of cosmic order. Calder strips away the overt religious context, yet the symbol retains a subconscious echo. Consider how the star differs from its classical appearances - simplified, almost childlike. Yet its radiant yellow color elicits a feeling of optimism, of hope. This speaks to a deep human desire for something constant, something beyond our earthly realm. The mobile's gentle movement, the interplay of light and shadow – it's a reminder that these symbols aren't fixed, but in constant dialogue with the world around them, subtly influencing our emotional landscape. They persist, reinvented, retaining their power to move us.