Blue Shape 1964

Alexander Calder made this painting, Blue Shape, in 1964, probably using gouache or tempera on paper, judging by its matte surface and smooth, opaque colours. Calder's hand is clearly visible; the process of applying the paint is upfront and honest. Look at the blue shape in the centre. It’s got a watery, blob-like quality, achieved by layering thin washes of blue paint. You can see the individual brushstrokes, each one building up the form. The dark balls scattered around it and the red circles seem to dance in relation to it, like planets orbiting a strange new galaxy. There's a playfulness to the arrangement, an intuitive sense of balance. Calder, of course, is known for his mobiles and I see in this painting the same interest in form and motion, but in two dimensions. I’m reminded of Joan Miró too, in the way he uses simple shapes and colors to create a dynamic composition. Calder and Miró, like all great artists, were engaged in a lively conversation about the possibilities of art.