Alexander Calder- Ordinary

Alexander Calder has been one of my favorite artists since the beginning of high school. His use of kinetic art and the creation of the mobile-inspired multiple projects and lesson plans that I have made in the past. I have always been interested in moving artwork since it brings the artwork to life in a whole new way. To be able to stand and watch the art move instead of moving yourself gives the feeling that the artwork itself is alive and gives the viewer different ways to admire the sculpture. Calder’s sculpture, Ordinary, was made in 1969 and was created by the use of paint, rods, bolts and sheet metal. I was drawn to this particular piece by where the artist had chosen to install it. I have lived in New York for most of my life and enjoy seeing the many works of art that are installed all around such as the variety of artwork displayed around the Pratt Institute campus. To place a sculpture outside instead of in a museum leaves the piece exposed to the seasons, variation in weather conditions and allows people to get up close and touch the piece, whereas a museum wouldn’t allow people to get too close to the artwork. Displayed outside in an open field draws the viewer’s attention specifically to the artwork. The use of color and size compared to the green of the trees and ground and blue of the sky makes the sculpture stand out.

Colors such as red, yellow and blue give the sense of playfulness and fun, which young children would be drawn to.  Calder’s artwork had also caught my interest because of the way he shows that art does not have to up against a wall, hung from a ceiling or placed on a pedestal for all to see. His work breaks away from the typical placement, such as a gallery and allows a new way of looking at the artwork. The artwork shows balance through the use of metal which is a nice material to work with. The material brings back memories of when I was first exposed to using metal to create art. It holds shape and has enough strength to hold the shapes that are suspended in the air, but proper safety is required to avoid hurting yourself. I find it important that a sculpture has balance so artists don’t run the risk of having their work collapse or lean-to one side unintentionally. It’s a sad day in an artist’s life when they spent hours on a piece, only to have it fall apart when they were close to finishing it.