Alexander Calder. Ordinary. 1969. Painted steel, 19' X 19'8 3/16" X 19'.
Luis Jimenez. Vaquero. Modeled 1980, cast 1990. Acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature, height 16'7". Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.
The father of the mobile that is Alexander Calder and an artist embracing contemporary materials for contemporary art, Luis Jimenez, have constructed pieces with amazingly captivating qualities. The works create movement and suspense using dynamic concepts. They use 3 dimensional properties to the greatest potential. And they bring an interesting perspective to the world of play.
Calder viewed art as "a kind of serious play for a adults". He came up with a new toy, the mobile. He also created stabiles, and pictured above he fashioned hybrids. Calder used simple shapes and colors and the power of balance to create phenomenal works on a large scale. Ordinary teeters in the wind causing the simplest flow of air to create an interesting sensation. It emphasizes simplicity in everything that it is and does.
Vaquero is brilliant, fun, and daring piece of work that celebrates the American west and remind us of the original influence of the Mexican culture. This daring composition isn't even possible without the help of the steel armature that holds it in place. The acrylic urethane works wonders to enhance the fluid movement of the sleek lines. The raw power of a bucking horse is prevalent and continues on in the wild vaquero holding on. I can really appreciate this work because I created a similar figure as a hood ornament, so i understand the work that is put into a model that doesn't even stand on its own.
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