Calder, 2: "Hello Girls," "Three Quintains" (the words that title the picture)

(Please click on image to enlarge)

       "Three Quintains" is Calder's intended name for the work.  Note the three parts.  Previous post shows the main quintain alone.  Calder jokingly called the two black circles on top (semaphore-like) "Hello Girls" because they were added to be easily visible from the balcony dining area next to the pool.  LACMA thought Calder wanted that as name for the whole; a recent discovery revealed his true intentions.

       The word "quintain" dates to Ancient Rome, "fifth" street in Roman encampments, where military exercises were held.  In medieval times the word designated a crossbar on a post, able to turn, with a target on one end and a sandbag on the other, to train men on horseback for jousting.  The image is carried forth in Calder's colorful art work; here water jets and wind keep the mobile parts swinging interestingly, unpredictably.