Alexander Calder’s interest in astronomy and the cosmos led him to create a series of delicate works he called Constellations. This is the most complex one. His uncharacteristic use of wood was due to the scarcity of scrap metal during World War II. The colorful “bomb” also refers to war. Unlike his suspended mobiles, which drift slowly through space, Calder’s Constellations do not move, yet their organic shapes cast shadows that shift with the light. The appearance of these open, linear structures constantly alters as we move past them.

Vertical Constellation with Bomb
wood, metal
1943
Alexander Calder (1898-1976)

One of his sculptures from the 'Constellation' series.

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