“Across the Orange Moons” is an abstract artwork created by Alexander Calder in 1967. Calder, who was associated with the Abstract Art movement, has utilized a style that can be characterized as figurative in this piece, though his works are commonly known for non-figurative abstraction and kinetic sculptures.
The artwork presents a bold composition, primarily using the colors black, orange, and yellow, with a touch of white providing contrast. Dominated by geometric shapes, the composition is anchored by two large circles—one orange and one yellow—that appear as celestial bodies, perhaps moons as mentioned in the title. These are intersected by thick black lines suggesting a sort of cosmic alignment or perhaps an abstracted astronomical event. The surrounding space is filled with a series of triangles and smaller circles, all in the same stark color palette, which might represent stars or other spatial elements, further contributing to the celestial theme. The use of color and simple geometric forms creates a dynamic tension and a sense of spatial ambiguity, inviting viewers to project their own interpretations onto the elemental interplay.
