Calder Sculptures

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Virtual Open Studio


Born July 22, 1898, Alexander Calder is best known for his kinetic sculptures, dubbed “mobiles”, and his brightly colored paintings. Before he became an artist, Calder spent time as an engineer, and part of ship’s crews. It was during one of these journeys while on a ship that he saw the sun and the moon, perfectly aligned on opposite horizons of the ocean. He would cite this on many occasions in his life, and some would even attribute the event as the inspiration for his career in art. His artistic life was as widely varied in its venues and projects as his young adulthood was. 

 

His most famous works, large public sculptures that feature long curving wires attached to leaf shaped sheet metal that hung from ceilings. They were dubbed “mobiles” because they were designed to move with the air currents. The mobiles were constructed of wires and shaped sheet metal attached at the ends, and each one was balanced and free, open to turn and sway with any air current that moved through the space. His exploration of art also resulted in geometric paintings, political paintings and screen printings, tapestries, and set design for theater. In the image above, we see just like in his mobiles, he used shape and line to create balance on the canvas. 

 

In today’s Virtual Open Studio, we are going to create our own wire sculptures inspired by Calder’s work! Check out the full video below:








Materials:

-Pipe-cleaners/ Twisteez

-Construction paper or scrapbook paper

-Scissors

-Clay

-White sketch paper

-Pencil


 

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