Why are Alexander Calder’s sculptures called mobiles?

The term ‘mobile’, which was coined by Marcel Duchamp, was used to describe Alexander Calder’s work, as Calder’s sculptures often moved with the help of motors or wind. ‘Mobiles’ was a French pun which meant ‘motion’. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from Alexander Calder.

Outdoor Mobile Sculpture

1930 Outdoor Metal Furniture

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Embryo Outdoor Sculpture by Alice Crepaldi

H 59.06 in W 13.78 in D 11.82 in

Large Modernist Steel Outdoor Kinetic Hanging Mobile Sculpture 1980s

Located in Troy, MI

Large Modernist Steel Outdoor Kinetic Hanging Mobile Sculpture 1980s Large kinetic indoor/outdoor

Category

20th Century North American Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Large Modernist Steel Outdoor Kinetic Hanging Mobile Sculpture 1980s

H 38 in W 23.5 in D 2 in

Vintage Alexander Calder lithograph (1970s Calder prints)

By (after) Alexander Calder

Located in Brooklyn, NY

paintings, stabiles, standing mobiles, monumental outdoor sculptures, works on paper, domestic objects, and

Category

Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage Alexander Calder lithograph (1970s Calder prints)

H 14.5 in W 11.5 in D 0.01 in

Recent Sales

Artist Brother Mel Meyer Obelisk with Kenetic Mobile Large Outdoor Sculpture

By Brother Mel Meyer

Located in St. Louis, MO

commission for former art collectors garden. 12' tall stainless obelisk, with a kenetic mobile atop, having

Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Artist Brother Mel Meyer Obelisk with Kenetic Mobile Large Outdoor Sculpture

H 144 in W 180 in L 144 in

Beautifully Patinated Iron Outdoor Kinetic Sculpture

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A wonderful Kinetic sculpture out of iron that has rusted to a beautiful patina. Works nicely

Category

20th Century Unknown Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Beautifully Patinated Iron Outdoor Kinetic Sculpture

H 52.5 in W 11 in D 16 in

Bruce Goff Style Monumental Bronze Outdoor Sculpture

By Bruce Goff

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Bruce Goff style large scale outdoor sculpture has architectural and Art Brut stylings. Similar

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bruce Goff Style Monumental Bronze Outdoor Sculpture

H 87 in W 111 in L 87 in

Super Cool 1960s Outdoor Kinetic Pendulum Sculpture

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Super cool Kinetic sculpture in wrought iron and metal. The sculpture has 3 circles on rods that

Category

Vintage 1960s American Kinetic Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Super Cool 1960s Outdoor Kinetic Pendulum Sculpture

H 67.5 in W 25 in L 67.5 in

Contemporary Outdoor Large Abstract Steel Painted Sculpture, Model VEGA

By Antiques MC

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

the outside. Thermo lacquered steel Contemporary outdoor large abstract steel painted sculpture

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kine...

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Outdoor Large Abstract Steel Painted Sculpture, Model VEGA

H 63 in W 39.38 in D 23.63 in

Contemporary Large Abstract Brutalist Orange Metal Outdoor Floor Sculpture

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

For your consideration is a unique marvel of a painted orange metal outdoor floor sculpture. This

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Contemporary Large Abstract Brutalist Orange Metal Outdoor Floor Sculpture

H 144 in Dm 84 in

Large, Modern, Kinetic, Outdoor Balancing Steel Sculpture by David Edelman

Located in New York, NY

21st century, Modern, Kinetic, Outdoor Balancing Steel Sculpture Large Scale Outdoor Steel

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Brass, Bronze

H 96 in W 74 in D 24 in

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Outdoor Mobile Sculpture For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of outdoor mobile sculpture for your home. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, steel and brass. There are 3 variations of the antique or vintage item from our selection of outdoor mobile sculpture you’re looking for, while we also have 7 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of outdoor mobile sculpture you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. An object in our assortment of outdoor mobile sculpture, designed in the mid-century modern or modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made option in this array of outdoor mobile sculpture has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Alexander Calder, André Fu and Angela Conner are consistently popular.

How Much is a Outdoor Mobile Sculpture?

Prices for a piece of outdoor mobile sculpture start at $612 and top out at $75,000 with the average selling for $13,131.

Questions About Outdoor Mobile Sculpture

Why are Alexander Calder’s sculptures called mobiles?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The term ‘mobile’, which was coined by Marcel Duchamp, was used to describe Alexander Calder’s work, as Calder’s sculptures often moved with the help of motors or wind. ‘Mobiles’ was a French pun which meant ‘motion’. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from Alexander Calder.