Souscoupes in Alaska 1969

Alexander Calder made this gouache on paper, Souscoupes in Alaska, in 1969. It’s hard to pin down exactly what it is, but I love how Calder takes the simplest of marks and turns them into something evocative. The texture is flat, a smooth application of color that lets the shapes do all the talking. Look at the way the black ovals are arranged, almost like stepping stones across a snowy field, leading towards that fiery red sun. Each shape is slightly imperfect, a little wobbly, which gives the whole image a sense of movement and playfulness. It feels like he made them quickly, intuitively. That red sun, though—it’s so bold and unapologetic. It anchors the whole composition, giving weight to the lightness of the stepping stones. I’m reminded of Joan Miró, another artist who wasn’t afraid to embrace simplicity and joy in his work. Ultimately, art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and images that we all get to participate in.