The title of this work immediately evokes Calder’s engineering and mechanical abilities, whilst
focusing squarely on a piece of equipment directly employed to harness kinetic energy. Regardless
of size or manufacturer, the mechanical part is identifiable by the spiralling spring around a central
rod. In this composition, we can see at least two of these, but the left of the image is dominated by a
shock absorber. The other motives are also typical of Calder, the serpent mimics the spiral of the
shock absorber as if providing the natural world’s balance to the machine age. The black spiral and
star are paired with a colourful spiral and an orb displaying yin and yang – again balance is explored.

Movement has been deliberately created by the artist in that the paper has itself been turned in a
spiral motion allowing the black ink to move and bleed from the composition in different directions.
This manual and intentional action by Calder cements the work’s importance in the artist’s pursuit of
Kineticism even in what is arguably a static medium.