Stabile At Sunrise 1944

This is Alexander Calder’s ‘Stabile At Sunrise’ and like his mobiles, it's all about balance, form, and space. The shapes are pretty simple, almost cartoonish, but don't let that fool you, there is sophistication at play here. The way Calder applies paint is very matter-of-fact, not fussy at all. See the yellow of the cone? It has some texture to it but also feels pretty flat and evenly applied. This kind of directness gets to the heart of what painting is all about. It's about making choices and putting them out there, boldly. There's an immediacy that's so refreshing, almost like he's sketching with paint. It reminds me a little bit of Joan Miro, another artist who knew how to make playful and profound images, but there's also a uniquely American sensibility to this work. It is like Calder is saying, "Let's not overthink it. Let's just make something cool and see what happens.” Art as adventure, not as a homework assignment!