Alexander Calder

Date of Birth: July 22, 1898

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: November 11, 1976

Biography

Alexander Calder was an American sculptor renowned for his innovative mobiles and monumental public sculptures. Born into a family of artists, Calder was surrounded by creativity from a young age, which deeply influenced his career path. He initially pursued a degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology but later shifted his focus to art, studying at the Art Students League in New York City. Calder’s early works included wire sculptures and circus-themed pieces, but he gained international fame for his kinetic sculptures, commonly known as “mobiles.” These works were characterized by their delicate balance and movement, often driven by air currents. In addition to mobiles, Calder also created “stabiles,” static sculptures that often contrasted with the lightness of his kinetic works. Throughout his career, Calder’s work was featured in major exhibitions worldwide, and he received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His legacy continues to influence artists and sculptors globally.

5 Interesting Facts about Alexander Calder

1. Calder’s first creation was a kinetic sculpture he called “Cirque Calder,” which included miniature circus performers and animals made from wire and found objects.

2. He was the first artist to create a mobile, a term coined by Marcel Duchamp.

3. Calder’s work “Lobster Trap and Fish Tail” (1939) was one of the first pieces of abstract art installed in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

4. He created over 22 monumental public sculptures, including “La Grande Vitesse” in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

5. Calder designed stage sets for the Martha Graham Dance Company and costumes for the film “8½” by Federico Fellini.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alexander Calder

1. “Just as one can compose colors, or forms, so one can compose motions.”

2. “To an engineer, good enough means perfect. With an artist, there’s no such thing as perfect.”

3. “The underlying sense of form in my work has been the system of the Universe.”

4. “Why must art be static? You look at an abstraction, sculpted, painted, or drawn, and you move along with it.”

5. “My whole theory about art is the disparity that exists between form, masses, and movement.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Alexander Calder’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, a significant sum for an artist during his time.

Children

Alexander Calder had two children with his wife Louisa James: Sandra Calder Davidson and Mary Calder Rower. Both daughters were involved in preserving and promoting their father’s artistic legacy.