Wire Mobile
Wire No. 2
It is difficult to name these things. Something I need to work on. This one is about 20 inches high, including the base.
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.
Small Mobile
This mobile is nice in a fairly small space. It’s over my desk at home at the moment. With a large number of different colored pieces moving together and separately, it captures one’s quiet attention.
The colored pieces are made out of card stock and painted with acrylics.
Calder and Giacometti
Taken at the National Gallery in Washington DC a couple of years ago.
Wire No. 1
This piece is about 20 inches high including the base. Photo was taken in the snow, a perfect background.
Wire and Wood
At about four feet wide and 15 inches tall, this is a good size for me. Big enough to have a presence in most rooms and small enough to make in my basement without much trouble.
Artist Profile: Ekko Mobiles
It’s a real pleasure to say a few words about Ekko Mobiles.
Ekko creates a wide variety of truly fabulous mobiles and stabiles. Many of their designs are unique, while at the same time, as with just about all mobiles makers, there is a tip of the hat to Alexander Calder. With a 1200 square foot studio space, they have enough room to go big, creating mobiles that work in large public buildings. But they also create some really nifty table-sized stabiles.
One thing that other artists and mobiles creators should take a look at is the presentation of Ekko Mobiles and the related Ekko Workshop websites. These sites are top-notch in their professionalism. Great colors, large vibrant images, and extremely “clean” design make for a great user experience. And, as you can see with these two images, the photography is gorgeous.
Also, while you’re at Ekko Workshop, be sure to check out their killer catalog and watch their super video; or see it embedded here.
Ekko Mobiles from Little Engine PDX on Vimeo.
Marketing Art Online
I just discovered the Abundant Artist, a site by Corey Huff that helps creatives market their art. I’ll be going back to it in coming days and weeks and will be listening to their Creative Insurgents podcasts as well. For now, I wanted to mention an article on that site that I found worthwhile, even though it is a few years old. For anyone starting to sell their art online, check it out. It’s called 15 Ways to Sell Your Art Online and has links to a lot of good resources. Make sure to check out the comments while you’re there too as people have offered additional resources and suggestions.
Wire Mobile: “Angular and Round”
This wire mobile is a bit more “designed” from the beginning in the sense that I was going for a specific look. In most other cases, I have a vaguer sense of what I want, but let things play out as the piece develops. “Angular and Round” is the provisional title. It is very difficult to name these things.
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