Jessica Hope Eddy
March 2020
Alexander Calder Inspired Mobile COMPOSITION: Aluminium is a chemical element with the symbol “Al”. Aluminum is a silvery-white, lightweight metal. It is soft and malleable. PROPERTIES: Aluminium has a density around one-third that of steel and copper. Aluminum doesn't have a high tensile strength. Aluminium is well suited to cold environments. APPLICATION: Aluminium is soft, ductile, corrosion, resistant and has a high electrical conductivity. It is widely used for foil and conductor cables. Aluminium is one of the lightest engineering metals, having a strength to weight ratio superior to steel. ADVANTAGE: Corrosion resistant, low maintenance, light weight, flexible DISADVANTAGE: hard, can tear easily ABOUT: By suspending forms that move with the flow of air, Calder revolutionised sculpture. Rather than a solid object of mass and weight, they continually redefine the space around them as they move. CONCEPT: The mobile design was Inspired by Henri Matisse portraits, I designed my piece by following the form and flow of the human face. EXPERIENCE: The design was achieved by using aluminium wire. The wire offered flexibility in shaping and bending while also being strong. I incorporated a dried fig leaf to add dimension and texture to the design.