“APPLE MONSTER” is a sculpture/stabile created by artist Alexander Calder in 1938. The work embodies elements of Expressionism and Surrealism, artistic movements known for their emotional directness and transformation of reality through imagination, respectively. Calder’s distinctive approach to sculptural form is evident in this piece, which reflects the playful and innovative spirit characteristic of his oeuvre.
The sculpture presents an abstract form that suggests a living entity with a whimsical or fantastical quality. It stands on three long, spindly legs, which give it a sense of precarious balance, as if it could move or sway. The body of the creature features a coiled center, possibly representing a torso, and flows into an elongated neck that culminates in a head with a singular protruding element that could be seen as a snout or a horn. The colors are muted, with natural tones of green, red, and brown predominating, which might reflect the organic inspiration behind the title “APPLE MONSTER.” The use of these colors and the sculpture’s graceful forms contribute to a sense of dynamic motion, despite the stillness of the medium. Calder’s play with abstract forms and his ability to impart an animate quality to metal sculptures are central to this work, inviting viewers to engage their own imaginations to interpret the creature and the whimsy it represents.
