The artwork titled “Gibraltar” created by Alexander Calder in 1936, is a prominent example of Kinetic Art, particularly in the sculpture and mobile genres. This piece embodies the innovative spirit of the movement, focusing on the incorporation of movement and the use of abstract forms to redefine the traditional concept of sculpture.
“Gibraltar” by Alexander Calder presents a striking combination of shapes and materials that create a sense of dynamic balance. At its base, there’s a rugged, irregularly shaped piece of wood that anchors the entire sculpture. Hovering above this wooden base, a flat, horizontally oriented element serves as a platform from which two slender wires ascend. Each wire leads to an elegantly simple form; one wire culminates with a crescent-shaped element, while the other holds a spherical shape, possibly a small ball. The mobile elements appear almost as if in orbit around the central structure, owing to the delicate way they hang and the potential for movement this setup implies. The contrast between the organic texture of the wooden base and the smooth, polished surfaces of the hovering elements emphasizes Calder’s play with material and form, suggesting a harmony between the natural and the created.
