Wood and Wire

Just put this one together a couple of days ago. It is about two feet long, but less than eight inches from top to bottom, leaving out the length of the chain. The largest wood triangles are about four inches long/wide.  So, even though it has some large pieces, this  mobile can fit into a relatively small space with low ceilings. It throws some interesting shadows too.

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Mobile in Motion

I’m still exploring video and sound, while working on the technical aspects. One of the neat things about mobiles is that they generally move slowly in response to air currents or another force that sets them in motion. This slow, steady movement can have a calming influence if you give it a bit of time. I believe the music enhances the effect, but it is by no means necessary.

Concerto & Mobiles

I have found it very difficult to photograph mobiles. In part, this is because they are three-dimensional, but an even bigger reason is that the way they take up space in those three dimensions constantly changes. There is no way  to capture that in a single photo. Finally,  there is the obvious fact that mobiles are mobile: they move. That character is completely lost with a single photo. I have a book that has photos of dozens if not hundreds of Calder’s mobiles and, as beautiful as the book is, it hardly does them justice.

So, going forward,  I will be experimenting with short videos of my mobiles to see how that works as a presentation medium. And, if and when I have time, I will try to get down to the National Gallery of Art and Hirshhorn museum in DC to shoot some of Calder’s mobiles as well.

I hope you enjoy this first attempt and please feel free to leave comments and suggestions.