Alexander Calder 1898 1976 mobile and stable sculpture

Alexander Calder: 1898– 1976 mobile and stable sculpture

Alexander Calder Biography • Alexander "Sandy" Calder was born in Lawnton, Pennsylvania, on July 22, 1898. • He grew up from a family of artist and often was asked to pose for them. • He received a degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in mechancical engineering, 1919.

More Bio "Aztec Josephine Baker, " by Alexander Calder, wire, 53 by 10 by 9 inches, circa 1919, Calder Foundation, New York • He moved to Paris in 1926 and was recognized worldwide for his wire sculptures. • In early 1930 s, he experimented with abstraction in his artworks. • Giant stabiles and mobiles grace many public buildings and plazas in the United States. • Calder died on November 11, 1976, shortly after opening a major retrospective show at the Whitney Museum in New York.

Art Vocabulary • Abstract: uses form, color and line to create a composition. • Mobile sculpture: contains moving parts or depends on motion for its effect. • Line(Element): Line is the basic element that refers to the continuous movement of a point along a surface. • Balance(Principle): It is the arrangement of the objects in a given design as it relates to their visual weight within a composition. Balance usually comes in two forms: symmetrical (balanced) and asymmetrical (unbalanced).

Group Activity • Students will work in their group to create a brochure advertising an exhibition showcasing the new/upcoming sculptor Alexander Calder. • Should have 1 paragraph including his life (interesting fact) and artwork- need to include vocabulary words. • Images • Name of exhibition, location, address, etc.

Grading • 10 points total • 1 paragraph/Name of exhibition, location, contacts-5 • Images-2 • Vocabulary-3