Hourglass and Target 1967

Alexander Calder made this gouache on paper in 1967. It has these strong, bold, simple forms and colors that kind of dance on the page. I can picture Calder making this, you know? I see him in his studio, pushing the paint around, not fussing too much, letting the shapes and colors just happen. The paint is flat and opaque, laid down with an ease that belies the thought that went into placing each element just so. It's so playful, this painting. The black shapes feel like notes of punctuation. It is like he is talking to other artists, tossing ideas around. It makes me think of Miró. Painting is so good at ambiguity. Calder gives us just enough to spark our imaginations but leaves plenty of room for us to bring our own meanings to the party.