BELT 1935

This belt was made by Alexander Calder, though I can’t tell you exactly when or with what. What I can say is that it's fascinating to see how Calder, known for his mobiles, brings that same sense of play and movement to a static object. Look at the spirals, each one slightly different, a wonky handmade quality that I really appreciate. They're not perfect, and that's the point. There's a tension between the rigid metal and the soft, almost frayed fibers, which suggests the piece is caught mid-motion. The colors too, are lovely and muted, with the odd splash of red. The way the twine is bound and wrapped creates a kind of organic texture, which contrasts the more mechanical feel of the metal. In that sense it reminds me of work by Anni Albers, who also brought a modernist sensibility to craft traditions. Art is just this constant conversation and exchange, with each artist riffing on what came before. What’s not to love!