SPINY [MAQUETTE] 1939

Alexander Calder made this maquette, titled Spiny, from sheet metal. You can clearly see the evidence of its fabrication. It’s been cut, likely with shears, and then bent and welded. The material really dictates the appearance. The sheet metal has inherent qualities – its thinness, its capacity for being shaped, and also its resistance. These are all on display. And of course, it's been painted a dark color. This gives the sculpture visual weight. Consider the labor involved. Calder was deeply engaged with the industrial processes of his time. He understood the power of metal, its strength, and its ability to be transformed. He also brought to this understanding a craftsman’s eye, informed by his family tradition of making sculpture. This work challenges conventional distinctions. Is it art? Is it design? Is it craft? Well, it’s all of those things. And understanding its making helps us appreciate Calder’s unique contribution to the history of sculpture.