I was talking with Calder one day in his studio when suddenly a ‘mobile’ beside me, which until then had been quiet, became violently agitated. I stepped quickly back; thinking to be out of its reach. But then, when the agitation had ceased and it appeared to have relapsed into quiescence, its long, majestic tail, which until then had not budged, began mournfully to wave, and, sweeping through the air, brushed across my face. These hesitations, resumptions, gropings, clumsiness’s, the sudden decisions and above all that swan-like grace make of certain ‘mobiles’ very strange creatures indeed, something midway between matter and life. At moments they seem endowed with an intention; a moment later they appear to have forgotten what they intended to do, and finish by merely swaying inanely…”
— Jean-Paul Sartre, from “Calder’s Mobiles” (1947) by Buchholz Gallery/Curt Valentin, New York, in a catalogue also titled Calder’s Mobiles
Notes:
- Thank you Beth for the quote (via Alive on All Channels)
- Photo: Eléments Démontables was suspended in the atrium of the Ruffin Building in Wichita, Kansas from 1975 until 2024, and is now in the collection of the Calder Foundation. An article “Giant Mobile Flies at Fourth” from The Wichita Eagle on March 9th 1975 when the mobile was originally installed. Source: The Five Largest Mobiles Worldwide That I’m Aware of by Marco Mahler. (All 5 happen to be by Calder.
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.
This post made me think of wind chimes, because to me they have similar characteristics.
Agree!
PS: thank you, Beth!
sounds rather like an emotional. human
Agree!
I’m having a real foreigner morning, or maybe it’s just a sawsan morning. I had to look up so many things to get this. I think I get it.
Maybe I’m just tired.
Smiling. I admire the honesty! Very much. Take a nap, please.
This has been a long week.
Please take care of yourself as much as you can dear Sawsan. Health has to be priority #1. Without it, you can’t take care of the ones you love. (I am sharing this because I have far too much experience with it.)
Be Well & Blessings 💕
-Paul
Thank you, Paul. I’m well. Travel, then house guests for 10 days, and work with last weekend on call. I’m waiting for Friday 5pm for my feet to touch the ground.
Understood. 24 more hours and then you can rest! Thanks for letting me know that you are well, but just super busy… Happens to all of us from time to time. Take care – Paul.
flirty little things … 🙂
Yes!
How disconcerting, not sure I’d like the experience.
And this is why Humans are so uniquely different. Magic!
True!