As a young boy, Alexander Calder (1898-1976) made a kinetic Christmas gift for his parents – a brass sheet Duck (1909). His career continued to focus on kinetic art. Referring to his abstract kinetic sculptures on display at the Julien Levy Gallery, New York, 1932, Alexander Calder asked, “Why must art be static? You look at an abstraction, sculptured or painted, an entirely exciting arrangement of planes, spheres, nuclei, entirely without meaning. It would be perfect but it is always still. The next step in sculpture is motion” (Excerpted from the New York World-Telegram, June 11, 1932).
Shape Scapes – Sculpture in a Box Tips
Shape Scapes – Sculpture in a Box are the perfect art manipulatives to accompany a lesson about Alexander Calder. Students can construct 3-D models that balance or rock.
- Pull each part separately when taking it apart. (The pieces can break.)
- Put the large pieces in the container first.
- Gently press down on the lid. (It can get jammed.)
- I have 5 sets I bought from the MoMA Store a few years ago and only a couple of pieces have broken over the years.
3-Generations of Calder Artists
The kinetic Alexander Calder was a 3rd generation artist. His father and grandfather were also artists. Their art can be seen down the diagonal of Pennsylvania. The 447 1/2 inch William Penn statue sits on top of Philadelphia City Hall (Alexander Milne Calder, grandfather), the Swan Memorial Fountain (Alexander Stirling Calder, father), two murals by Alexander Calder at the Free Library and The Ghost by Alexander Calder hangs in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I spotted the AC 75 signature confirming his murals, but the library workers were unaware of his artwork. I love finding artistic treasures!
To learn more about Alexander Calder, visit calder.org.
