it is a small sphere and heavy sphere
ash stick, string, fishing line, marble, etc and impedimenta (2025)
L’Ambience, Struts Gallery, Sackville NB
Photo credit: Lucas Morneau
Hand-painted sign by Simone Schmidt
Small Sphere and Heavy Sphere was Alexander Calder’s first
hanging mobile, made in 1932/1933. It consisted of a heavy lead
ball, a small wooden ball and 7 found objects which he called
“impedimenta” (a wooden crate, a symbol, glass bottles, tin can.)
By pushing the heavy sphere, the small sphere is sent flying
through a series of engagements and avoidances with
impedimenta, playing with our expectations as we try to anticipate
the complex and surprising interactions. What fun!
Calder intended for this work to exist as an idea – one that can be
played over and over again – and the idea is the only fixed aspect
of the composition. He welcomed others to try different types of
arrangements of various impedimenta.
it is a small sphere and a heavy sphere is homage to Calder’s
seminal mobile. Here is an iteration for Strut’s Gallery’s L’Ambience programming at Sappyfest in 2025.