“VERTICAL FOLIAGE” is a sculpture and mobile created by Alexander Calder in 1941, rooted in the Kinetic Art movement. The artwork is an embodiment of motion and balance, innovatively combining abstract shapes and organic forms to capture the essence of foliage in a dynamic, vertical arrangement.
In describing the artwork, “VERTICAL FOLIAGE” displays a series of biomorphic shapes that suggest leaves or petals, though abstracted. They spread out gracefully from delicate, wiry stems creating a cascading effect. The elements are primarily black, with one showing a pattern of white spots, which contribute to the visual interest and may induce a sense of playful curiosity. The sculpture is designed to move gently with air currents, creating an ever-changing dance of shadows and forms. Much like the natural foliage it loosely represents, the mobile interacts with its environment and offers a delicate, rhythmic beauty, full of balance and poise.