Nuages 1976

Alexander Calder made Nuages in 1976, looking at it, you get a real sense of play, don't you? The colours are bold and primary, and the shapes feel like they're dancing on the page. Look at how the shapes have been outlined with black, and how the pyramids cast no shadow. Calder is playing with perspective and space, creating a world that is both familiar and slightly off-kilter. The clouds in the sky are just a few lines. It’s like he is saying “don’t take things too seriously.” Calder was a master of line and form. He was always thinking about how to make things move and engage with the viewer. I am thinking about Leger and Miro, both of whom play with colour, shape, and abstraction, but there is something totally unique and joyful about Calder's vision. Art is about seeing the world in new ways, and Calder invites us to do just that.