The artwork titled “CYCLE ACT” was created by artist Alexander Calder in 1931. It is associated with the Expressionism movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study, forming part of Calder’s “Circus” series.
In this piece, Calder portrays a dynamic scene that appears to represent performers in a circus act. The simplicity of the lines suggests movement and the playful nature of a circus. There are figures drawn with minimal detail, capturing the essence of characters in mid-performance. One figure is juggling atop a unicycle, another balances on a tightrope, and a third rides a bicycle. In the foreground, a smaller figure also rides a bike. The sketch conveys the sense of a carefully coordinated act, with each performer involved in a delicate balance, much like the one in Calder’s own famous mobiles. Despite the rudimentary depiction, there is a clear sense of action and balance, typical of Calder’s interest in dynamic forms and his exploration of movement within his work.
