Sometimes when I see art, I’m moved. (Sometimes not, but that’s another story.) I often feel emotion, brought on by whatever I’m viewing or experiencing. And that’s great. I relish those moments and the art that inspires them. But a few days ago I saw a new exhibit at LA County Museum of Art (LACMA): Calder and Abstraction: From Avant-Garde to Iconic, and I had a rather surprising reaction. I giggled.
Mister and I had free tickets, and though I knew next to nothing about Alexander Calder or his work, I rarely turn down free, y’all. So off to the museum we went. My expectations weren’t too lofty, as I did know I’d be seeing mobiles. The things made of wire and stuff? All balance-y and move-y and such? And we did see mobiles. And they were indeed balance-y and move-y and such. But they were so much more. The simplicity was lovely and the structural brilliance was smile-inducing. Honestly, before I knew what was happening, I was grinning from ear to ear and reveling in girlish laughter. There was just something about Calder’s beautiful, mesmerizing work that I found to be powerfully uplifting.
Most of the pieces on exhibit were made in the 1930’s and ’40’s. There are a few later works, and those are pretty impressive sculptures, “stabiles” I believe they were called. While there, I learned that Marcel Duchamp was the originator of calling Calder’s works “mobiles.” I love factoids like that!
This show runs through July 27, 2014. So if you’re in or around L.A. (or find yourself here for a visit), do try to pop over to LACMA. A little positive spirit goes a long, long way.