The artwork titled “WHITE PANEL” was created by Alexander Calder in 1936 and is associated with the Kinetic Art movement, which emphasizes motion in art. This genre of art often includes mobile sculptures, which is precisely what “WHITE PANEL” is. Calder’s work is noted for its delicate balance and playful sense of motion, engaging viewers through its dynamic structure.
The “WHITE PANEL” by Alexander Calder features a stark white rectangular panel which serves as a backdrop for the mobile components. From this panel extends a long, slender black rod that curves gracefully at the bottom end, creating a sense of fluid motion even in stillness. Suspended from thin wire, there are abstract shapes, including one that is yellow and forms reminiscent of biomorphic or organic forms and another that is a compound shape with blue and red elements. These elements suggest buoyancy and are carefully balanced, able to move with the air currents in the room, thereby incorporating the dimension of time and making each viewing of the sculpture a unique experience. This combination of abstract forms and dynamic balance is iconic of Calder’s mobile sculptures and expresses the innovation of kinetic art as a form of visual expression.
