Vertical Constellation with Bomb 1943

Alexander Calder made Vertical Constellation with Bomb from painted wood and wire. This sculpture combines hand-carved forms with industrially produced wire, blurring the lines between craft and industry. Calder shaped the wooden elements through careful carving, emphasizing the material's grain and texture. The wood’s inherent warmth and organic quality contrast with the cold precision of the wire. Look closely at how these components are connected. Calder used the wire to create dynamic tension, suspending the wooden shapes in a seemingly weightless arrangement. The painted surfaces add another layer, with bold colors and simple geometries, all contributing to a playful and accessible aesthetic. Calder was working at a time of great change in the art world, when artists were experimenting with new materials and modes of production. He took a craft-based approach and brought it into the realm of fine art. By valuing both the handmade and the industrial, Calder challenged traditional hierarchies, reminding us that materials and making processes are central to understanding an artwork's full significance.