Kinetic Art Movement using Mobiles

Kinetic energy is… The adjective "kinetic" to the noun energy has its roots in the Greek word for "motion" The adjective "kinetic" to the noun energy has its roots in the Greek word for "motion" Kinetic Energy is the energy of motion. An object which has motion - whether it be vertical or horizontal motion - has kinetic energy.... Kinetic Energy is the energy of motion. An object which has motion - whether it be vertical or horizontal motion - has kinetic energy....

Mobiles have kinetic energy because of their movement.

Alexander Calder (22 July 1898 – 11 November 1976), also known as Sandy Calder, was an American sculptor and artist most famous for inventing the mobile. AmericansculptorartistmobileAmericansculptorartistmobile

The history of Calder’s abstract start. While in Paris, Calder met and became friends with a number of avant-garde artists, including Joan Miró, Jean Arp, and Marcel Duchamp. A visit to Piet Mondrian's studio in 1930 "shocked" him into embracing abstract art. While in Paris, Calder met and became friends with a number of avant-garde artists, including Joan Miró, Jean Arp, and Marcel Duchamp. A visit to Piet Mondrian's studio in 1930 "shocked" him into embracing abstract art.Joan MiróJean ArpMarcel DuchampPiet Mondrianabstract artJoan MiróJean ArpMarcel DuchampPiet Mondrianabstract art The Cirque Calder can be seen as the start of Calder's interest in both wire sculpture and kinetic art. He maintained a sharp eye with respect to the engineering balance of the sculptures and utilized these to develop the kinetic sculptures Duchamp would ultimately dub as "mobiles". He designed some of the characters in the circus to perform suspended from a thread. However, it was the mixture of his experiments to develop purely abstract sculpture following his visit with Mondrian that lead to his first truly kinetic sculptures, manipulated by means of cranks and pulleys. The Cirque Calder can be seen as the start of Calder's interest in both wire sculpture and kinetic art. He maintained a sharp eye with respect to the engineering balance of the sculptures and utilized these to develop the kinetic sculptures Duchamp would ultimately dub as "mobiles". He designed some of the characters in the circus to perform suspended from a thread. However, it was the mixture of his experiments to develop purely abstract sculpture following his visit with Mondrian that lead to his first truly kinetic sculptures, manipulated by means of cranks and pulleys.Cirque Calderwire sculpturekinetic artmobilesMondrianCirque Calderwire sculpturekinetic artmobilesMondrian

The era of his mobiles started… By the end of 1931, he had quickly moved on to more delicate sculptures which derived their motion from the air currents in the room. From this, Calder's true "mobiles" were born. At the same time, Calder was also experimenting with self- supporting, static, abstract sculptures, dubbed "stabiles" by Arp to differentiate them from mobiles. By the end of 1931, he had quickly moved on to more delicate sculptures which derived their motion from the air currents in the room. From this, Calder's true "mobiles" were born. At the same time, Calder was also experimenting with self- supporting, static, abstract sculptures, dubbed "stabiles" by Arp to differentiate them from mobiles.Arp

Calder’s mobile examples

Mobiles

More Mobiles

Mobile Examples

How to make a mobile Think of an image, symbol, or subjects that are related to each other. Think of an image, symbol, or subjects that are related to each other. Think of a design you would like to have your mobile represent. Think of a design you would like to have your mobile represent. Using found materials, create your shapes. Color or paint them as needed. Using found materials, create your shapes. Color or paint them as needed. Use wire and wire cutters to create your structure for your mobile. Use wire and wire cutters to create your structure for your mobile. Make sure it has rhythm and balance! Make sure it has rhythm and balance!

Things to remember... You need to have at least 4 or more shapes to have balance. You need to have at least 4 or more shapes to have balance. Your shapes can be made out of everyday materials like cardboard! Your shapes can be made out of everyday materials like cardboard! You need to think of a strong structure for your base (top). You may need to double up materials. You need to think of a strong structure for your base (top). You may need to double up materials. If your wire seems to flimsy, you can always wrap it together... it gives it a cool effect as well! If your wire seems to flimsy, you can always wrap it together... it gives it a cool effect as well! When you create your mobile as a whole, think about not only the shapes, but how you hang your wires to make it have balance! When you create your mobile as a whole, think about not only the shapes, but how you hang your wires to make it have balance!

Good examples

Remember!!! Your mobile needs to… Not be too heavy for the wire we have (you may need to double the wire up)! Not be too heavy for the wire we have (you may need to double the wire up)! Have movement and balance. Have movement and balance. Have shapes and symbols that relate to each other. Have shapes and symbols that relate to each other. Have an overall good kinetic design. Have an overall good kinetic design.

Materials Paper, found objects, etc. Paper, found objects, etc. Cardboard or mat board Cardboard or mat board Wire, wire cutters Wire, wire cutters Paint Paint Whatever works for your design! Whatever works for your design!