SPINY [MAQUETTE] (c.1939) by Alexander Calder

“SPINY [MAQUETTE],” created by Alexander Calder around 1939, is a sculpture that sits within the realms of Expressionism and Surrealism. It is classified as a “stabile,” which is a term Calder himself coined to describe his non-moving sculptures as a contrast to his mobiles.

The sculpture consists of elegantly curved elements that have an organic quality, suggesting forms that might be found in nature, yet abstracted into a surreal and expressive composition. The color appears to be monochromatic, and the material, though not detailed in the provided information, is likely to be metal, considering Calder’s frequent use of sheet metal and wire in his stabiles.

Calder’s work often plays with form, space, and balance, and this piece is indicative of his interest in creating three-dimensional works that engage the viewer from every angle. Despite being static, there’s a sense of implied motion through the sweeping curves and projecting elements that reach out into the surrounding space, demonstrating Calder’s preoccupation with kinetics and dynamism even in his stabiles.