“A Universe,” created by Alexander Calder in 1934, is a sculpture that exemplifies the Kinetic Art movement. This mobile piece, part of the sculpture genre, is on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork itself presents an abstract form suggesting cosmic and celestial themes, as implied by the title “A Universe.” Calder’s mastery of balance and elegance is visible through the delicate assembly of shapes and lines. It features organic and geometric shapes in a sophisticated composition of black and white, with a single red sphere that provides a visual counterpoint. The mobile is designed to move gently, with the various elements kept in a delicate, fluctuating balance, alluding to celestial bodies in motion within the universe. Calder’s work embodies the ideas of both physical and visual poetry, set into motion by air currents or by touch, allowing the piece to reveal different forms and alignments over time.
