Pyramids and Worlds 1970

Alexander Calder made “Pyramids and Worlds” in 1970, with ink and gouache on paper. Look at the simple shapes, the kind a child might draw, but assembled in a way that makes you wonder what's up and what's down. It's playful, like his sculptures, but on a flat surface. I love how the colors are so direct, no blending, just pure hues slapped on. The ink outlines give everything a clear edge, a confidence, but also a kind of lightness, as if these shapes could float away. Notice that pyramid in the front, the one with the scribbled lines. It feels different from the others, more alive, like Calder couldn’t resist adding his own little flourish. It reminds me of Miró, but with a Calder twist. Both artists create these worlds that are both abstract and strangely familiar. It's like they’re inviting you to play with shapes and colors, to make your own sense of it all.