Red to the Front 1973

Alexander Calder made this gouache painting, "Red to the Front", and it's all about the process, right? The guy's a genius at letting shapes be shapes. I love how the primary colors aren't trying to be anything other than themselves. Look at that big, juicy red form – how it confidently cuts through the space. There's a slight awkwardness in how the shapes are placed, and that's where the magic happens. It's like Calder is saying, "Here are some forms, deal with it." The paint is laid down so directly, you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the surface. See the little gaps and overlaps? It feels so immediate, like a visual diary entry. He’s doing something similar to what Miro was up to at this time. It's this ongoing conversation about form, color, and the sheer joy of making marks, and the conversation continues.