The artwork “BOOMERANGS” by Alexander Calder, created in 1941, is an example of Kinetic Art and falls within the genre of sculpture, specifically a mobile. Kinetic Art is a movement that emphasizes motion in artworks, and Calder’s mobiles are some of the most iconic examples of this genre. This type of art is designed to move with air currents, highlighting the balance, motion, and the relationship of its parts to each other and its environment.
“BOOMERANGS” is a hanging mobile sculpture characterized by its delicate balance and graceful forms. The artwork consists of shaped elements that hang from a series of rods and chains. The main components seem to be fashioned from thin, flat materials and are connected by wire or metal links, allowing them to move freely in the air. These elements are painted in vivid, solid colors including yellow, black, blue, and shades of orange or brown. The composition forms an asymmetrical balance, as the parts are arranged in such a way that their movements in the air would likely be fluid and responsive to subtle changes in their surroundings. The precise engineering and clever design exhibit Calder’s ingenuity in creating mobile sculptures that are both playful and mathematically harmonious.
