The Four Elements, Kinetic sculpture at Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden
The Four Elements is a kinetic sculpture on Skeppsholmen island featuring four metal sheets rising to about 30 feet, with motorized components that continuously move. The painted metal elements rotate and respond to environmental conditions, creating a structure that changes its visual form throughout the day.
Alexander Calder created this kinetic sculpture in 1961 for a movement-focused exhibition at Moderna Museet, drawing on an earlier 1938 design. The work represented a peak in the artist's exploration of movement and mechanical dynamics as a form of creative expression.
The work embodies four natural forces through abstract metal shapes and represents how modernist artists engaged with movement and form in public spaces. Visitors can observe how the sculpture brings together artistic innovation and the elemental world in an open-air setting.
The sculpture sits in the open-air park surrounding Moderna Museet on Skeppsholmen island, which is freely accessible year-round. Visitors should know that strong winds or cold weather can sometimes affect the movement of the metal elements.
The work requires ongoing maintenance by engineers to keep its mechanical parts moving and protect it from Sweden's harsh climate conditions. This continuous care is essential to preserve the piece's kinetic quality and prevent deterioration of its painted surfaces and motorized components.
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