Chapter 1
The toy circus that started it all
Chapter 2
Inventing the mobile
Chapter 3
Standing tall with stabiles
Chapter 4
The physics of perfect balance
YOUR GOAL
Master of Making art move: Alexander Calder
Ch 4 · The physics of perfect balance
choko See how Alexander Calder's massive "Flight" mobile was designed to float on the breezes inside JFK Airport. Explore this iconic 1957 sculpture.
choko Alexander Calder's Mobiles
Bottom up, bottom up! Find the pivot, find the swing, Each level holds it all.
choko Learn how Alexander Calder brought art into three dimensions. Discover the principles of kinetic sculpture and moving art in this visual infographic.
choko Balancing a key and sea glass turns everyday objects into perfectly balanced mobiles.
BETA
choko Play an interactive game to explore the physics of perfect balance and learn how Alexander Calder made his kinetic mobile art move.
Fun Fact
Engineering perfect balance: Alexander Calder used his mechanical engineering degree to master physical forces, allowing his complex, moving sculptures to balance perfectly from a single wire.
Glossary
rotational path (noun)
The circular or curved route that an object takes as it spins or swings around a central point. In Alexander Calder's kinetic sculptures, calculating these paths is the key to perfect balance, allowing the suspended shapes to swing and dance in the air without ever colliding.
The circular or curved route that an object takes as it spins or swings around a central point. In Alexander Calder's kinetic sculptures, calculating these paths is the key to perfect balance, allowing the suspended shapes to swing and dance in the air without ever colliding.
Quiz
How did Alexander Calder prevent the rotating parts of his mobiles from colliding with each other?
choko See how finding the center of mass allows kinetic sculptures to balance and move, inspired by the mobile art of Alexander Calder.
Fun Fact
Intuitive physics balancing: Calder rarely calculated his balances using math; instead, he used his hands to find the balance point of each piece, working from the bottom up.
Quiz
Which mechanical device from physics does each arm of an Alexander Calder mobile closely resemble?
Quiz
What is the term for the pivot point on which a lever balances, crucial to Alexander Calder's engineering?
Quiz
In what direction did Alexander Calder assemble his mobiles to ensure they balanced perfectly?
Quiz
Which major international airport features a massive, suspended Alexander Calder mobile titled "Flight" in its terminal?