Sculpture: Four Arches

This is an Alexander Calder sculpture called "Four Arches". I love the motion of this piece... and, of course, the Calder Red. From this angle it looks like an erupting volcano.



I also like how elegant something this massive (and it is pretty big) looks against the gigantic skyscrapers in the distance.



The curved arches are reminiscent of Gothic architecture to me. This, with the vibrant orange-red of the steel, makes it a great study of contrasts; heavy, massive materials looking light, fluid and elegant; the muted tones of the surrounding buildings with the vibrancy of the sculpture's color.

Calder was also fascinated by the Circus. One of his early jobs as an artist was to sketch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. He did sculpture later in his career based on circus themes. Which may be why, when I look at this piece, I ultimately think of an Elephant separated from the Circus parade marching down main street.

Location: Los Angeles, Bunker Hill