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

Elie Nadelman (1882 - 1946)
Elie Nadelman
1882 - 1946
Luc Leestemaker (1957 - 2012)
Luc Leestemaker
1957 - 2012
Deborah Kass (1952)
Deborah Kass
1952
Alexander Phimister Proctor (1860 - 1950)
Alexander Phimister Proctor
1860 - 1950
Bob Thompson (1937 - 1966)
Bob Thompson
1937 - 1966
Arthur Hill Gilbert (1893 - 1970)
Arthur Hill Gilbert
1893 - 1970
Richard DeVore (1933 - 2006)
Richard DeVore
1933 - 2006
Brice Marden (1938 - 2023)
Brice Marden
1938 - 2023
Russell Maltz (1952)
Russell Maltz
1952
Marsden Hartley (1877 - 1943)
Marsden Hartley
1877 - 1943
Catherine Murphy (1946)
Catherine Murphy
1946
Peter Halley (1953)
Peter Halley
1953
David Row (1949)
David Row
1949
Richard John Haas (1936)
Richard John Haas
1936
Allan McCollum (1944)
Allan McCollum
1944
Aaron Garber-Maikovska (1978)
Aaron Garber-Maikovska
1978

Creators Abstract Expressionism

Tarsila do Amaral (1886 - 1973)
Tarsila do Amaral
1886 - 1973
Gian Paolo Barbieri (1938)
Gian Paolo Barbieri
1938
Norbert Prangenberg (1949 - 2012)
Norbert Prangenberg
1949 - 2012
Hans Vincenz (1900 - 1976)
Hans Vincenz
1900 - 1976
Cestmir Kafka (1922 - 1988)
Cestmir Kafka
1922 - 1988
Lucien Coutaud (1904 - 1977)
Lucien Coutaud
1904 - 1977
Peter Keetman (1916 - 2005)
Peter Keetman
1916 - 2005
Jack Kerouac (1922 - 1969)
Jack Kerouac
1922 - 1969
Aaron Young (1972)
Aaron Young
1972
Jim Love (1927 - 2005)
Jim Love
1927 - 2005
Roland Martin (1927)
Roland Martin
1927
Zenzaburo Kojima (1893 - 1962)
Zenzaburo Kojima
1893 - 1962
Horst Janssen (1929 - 1995)
Horst Janssen
1929 - 1995
Wilhelm Morgner (1891 - 1917)
Wilhelm Morgner
1891 - 1917
Otto Freundlich (1878 - 1943)
Otto Freundlich
1878 - 1943
Jean Royère (1902 - 1981)
Jean Royère
1902 - 1981
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