Alexander Calder Quotes
- Sculptor
- USA
- 1898 - 1976
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an American sculptor and artist best known for his invention of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture made with delicately balanced or suspended shapes that move in response to touch or air currents. He also created large public sculptures, jewelry, tapestries, and…Read More
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an American sculptor and artist best known for his invention of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture made with delicately balanced or suspended shapes that move in response to touch or air currents. He also created large public sculptures, jewelry, tapestries, and paintings. His works are characterized by their bold colors and abstract shapes, and he is considered one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. His most famous works include the Calder Stabile, a large-scale abstract sculpture, and the Cirque Calder, a miniature circus made from wire and found objects.Read Less
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an American sculptor and artist best known for his invention of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture made with delicately balanced or suspended shapes that move in response to touch or air currents. He also created large public sculptures, jewelry, tapestries, and paintings. His works are characterized by their bold colors and abstract shapes, and he is considered one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. His most famous works include the Calder Stabile, a large-scale abstract sculpture, and the Cirque Calder, a miniature circus made from wire and found objects.
Alexander Calder Career Highlights
- Alexander Calder was a renowned American sculptor known for his innovative mobiles and stabiles.
- He studied mechanical engineering before turning to art, and his knowledge of mechanics greatly influenced his work.
- Calder’s career spanned over five decades, during which he created thousands of sculptures, paintings, and drawings.
- He gained international recognition for his work and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.
Key Contributions by Alexander Calder
- Calder is best known for his invention of the mobile, a type of kinetic sculpture that moves with air currents.
- He also created large-scale outdoor sculptures called stabiles, which are stationary and often made of steel.
- His work blurred the lines between sculpture and performance, as his mobiles and stabiles were meant to be interacted with and experienced in motion.
- Calder’s use of bold colors and abstract shapes revolutionized the art world and influenced many other artists.
What Sets Alexander Calder Apart
- Calder’s work is characterized by its playfulness, whimsy, and sense of movement.
- He often used found objects and everyday materials in his sculptures, challenging traditional notions of what art should be.
- His work also incorporated elements of Surrealism and Dadaism, making it both visually striking and intellectually stimulating.
- Calder’s ability to combine art and engineering in his sculptures set him apart from other artists of his time.
Takeaways
- Alexander Calder’s innovative approach to sculpture and his use of unconventional materials continue to inspire artists today.
- His work has been exhibited in major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
- Calder’s legacy lives on through the Calder Foundation, which promotes and preserves his work and legacy.
- He remains one of the most influential and celebrated artists of the 20th century.