Mobile: Balanced Hanging Sculpture (Part 6)

Practice balance in this art lesson: mobile: balanced hanging sculpture (part 6).

🎨 Studio Brief #58

Build a hanging mobile inspired by Alexander Calder.

🎯 Your mission

If it cracks, that's part of the story.

⚡ The twist

No tools — just your hands.

What you'll learn

Build a hanging mobile inspired by Alexander Calder. Mobiles balance shapes at different heights that move gently with air currents.

Get ready

Techniques you'll practise

balancekinetic sculpturespatial design

You will need

Wire (thin gauge)Air-dry clayModeling tools

Step 1 of 5

Cut shapes from cardstock or thin wood: circles, stars, crescents, organic forms.

Step 2 of 5

Paint or decorate each shape on both sides (both sides will be visible).

Step 3 of 5

Attach shapes to strings of varying lengths. Tie strings to thin dowels or wire.

Step 4 of 5

Balance each arm by adjusting where the hanging string attaches—slide it until the arm is level.

Step 5 of 5

Hang your mobile and watch it move. Adjust balance as needed.

Did you know?

🤯 Mind = Blown

🤯 Clay shrinks about 10% when it dries. Plan for it.

🌟 Artist Spotlight

🎨 Ruth Asawa wove sculptures out of wire she learned to bend in a kids' camp.

You did it!

Next: Mask Making From Around the World (Part 6)All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Project

We'll pick an art project that matches exactly where your skills are right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this: Pots, cups, sinks, statues — anything you can hold started as squishy stuff.

🏆 Try this week: Make a tiny clay creature. Give it a name and a story.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “Tell me about the part of your sculpture you're proudest of.”

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Mobile: Balanced Hanging Sculpture (Part 6)

Techniques you'll practise

You will need

Next Smart Project

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Mobile: Balanced Hanging Sculpture (Part 6)

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