Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976)

Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976) - photo 1

Alexander Calder

Alexander Calder was an American artist celebrated for his revolutionary contributions to modern sculpture, including his invention of the mobile. Born into a family of artists on July 22, 1898, in Lawnton, Pennsylvania, and passing away on November 11, 1976, in New York, Calder harnessed his background in mechanical engineering to create kinetic sculptures that moved with air currents, alongside his monumental stationary sculptures known as "stabiles"​​​​.

Calder's early life was marked by his creation of toys and various objects, showcasing his inherent talent and creativity from a young age. Despite initially pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, Calder's true calling in the arts was undeniable. He moved to New York City, where he enrolled at the Art Students League, laying the groundwork for his iconic artistic style​​. In 1926, Calder relocated to Paris, which became a pivotal moment in his career, leading to the creation of "Calder's Circus," a whimsical assembly of wire figures that gained him entry into the avant-garde art circles of Europe​​.

Throughout the 1930s and beyond, Calder's work evolved from figurative painting to abstract sculptures that brought motion into the realm of art, a transition influenced by his visit to Piet Mondrian's studio. His innovative mobiles and stabiles were celebrated for their ingenuity and aesthetic appeal, earning Calder international recognition and numerous accolades​​. Among his well-known public commissions are the .125 mobile for John F. Kennedy Airport and the monumental red-painted steel stabile, "Flamingo," for the Federal Center Plaza in Chicago​​.

Calder's legacy extends far beyond his sculptures; his work encompassed painting, printmaking, jewelry design, and even set and costume design for theatre productions. His influence on modern art is profound, inspiring future generations of artists to explore the kinetic possibilities of sculpture​​.

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Date and place of birt:22 july 1898, Lawnton, USA
Date and place of death:11 november 1976, New York City, USA
Nationality:USA
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Artist, Designer, Sculptor
Genre:Allegory
Art style:Abstract art, Abstract Expressionism, Kinetic art, Modern art, Post War Art

Creators USA

Nell Blaine (1922 - 1996)
Nell Blaine
1922 - 1996
Bernard Chaet (1924 - 2012)
Bernard Chaet
1924 - 2012
David Hockney (1937)
David Hockney
1937
Larry Zox (1937 - 2006)
Larry Zox
1937 - 2006
Aaron Schickler (1922 - 2015)
Aaron Schickler
1922 - 2015
Richard Phillips (1962)
Richard Phillips
1962
Allan McCollum (1944)
Allan McCollum
1944
Hans Meyer-Kassel (1872 - 1952)
Hans Meyer-Kassel
1872 - 1952
Patrick Demarchelier (1943 - 2022)
Patrick Demarchelier
1943 - 2022
James (Jim) Lambie (1964)
James (Jim) Lambie
1964
Jacques Lipchitz (1891 - 1973)
Jacques Lipchitz
1891 - 1973
Ida Kohlmeyer (1912 - 1997)
Ida Kohlmeyer
1912 - 1997
Gene Davis (1920 - 1985)
Gene Davis
1920 - 1985
Clifford Owens (1971)
Clifford Owens
1971
Jules Pascin (1885 - 1930)
Jules Pascin
1885 - 1930
Irving Penn (1917 - 2009)
Irving Penn
1917 - 2009

Creators Abstract Expressionism

Tom Wesselmann (1931 - 2004)
Tom Wesselmann
1931 - 2004
Károly Klimó (1936)
Károly Klimó
1936
Katharina Lichtenscheidt (1963)
Katharina Lichtenscheidt
1963
Rolf Escher (1936)
Rolf Escher
1936
Farid Belkahia (1934 - 2014)
Farid Belkahia
1934 - 2014
Matthew Ritchie (1964)
Matthew Ritchie
1964
Montserrat Gudiol (1933 - 2015)
Montserrat Gudiol
1933 - 2015
Jens Joneleit (1968)
Jens Joneleit
1968
Oskar Holweck (1924 - 2007)
Oskar Holweck
1924 - 2007
Hennig Kurschner (1941)
Hennig Kurschner
1941
Hermann Teuber (1894 - 1985)
Hermann Teuber
1894 - 1985
Rufino Tamayo (1899 - 1991)
Rufino Tamayo
1899 - 1991
Pina Sacconaghi (1906 - 1994)
Pina Sacconaghi
1906 - 1994
James Weeks (1922 - 1998)
James Weeks
1922 - 1998
Ron Bloore (1925 - 2009)
Ron Bloore
1925 - 2009
Anna Beothy-Steiner (1902 - 1985)
Anna Beothy-Steiner
1902 - 1985
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