Alexander Calder at the Nasher

Calder’s Chat-Mobile (Cat Mobile), 1966

(Credit: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago)

An afternoon at the Nasher Museum on the campus of Duke University, is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially when there's an exhibit of mobiles: Alexander Calder and Contemporary Art: Form, Balance, Joy.  The exhibit includes 34 pieces by Calder and works of seven contemporary artists who were influenced by Calder's work.  Two of my favorites are Calder's Cat Mobile and his Performing Seal.

Calder's Performing Seal.

 The mobiles themselves are beautiful, and I was fascinated by the shadows they cast on the walls and the floors.  The movement of some of the mobiles are so subtle as to go undetected. A number of Calder's stabiles as he called his stationary sculptures are also included in the exhibit.  

Calder's stabile, Three Bollards.

Kristi Lippire Hanging Garden, 2006. (Lippire, one of contemporary artists influenced by Calder).

I've always liked Calder and this exhibit was fun!