Alexander Calder (1898–1976)

From this Pennsylvanian’s tireless quest to animate sculptural forms came masterpieces singularly original in form; no artist before Calder had managed to reinvent sculpture in such revolutionary terms. These kinetic abstractions, aptly described in 1931 by Marcel Duchamp as ‘Mobiles’, were unencumbered by plinths and moved with the slightest zephyr, overturning centuries of sculptural tradition as they shape-shifted in space. Calder originally studied as an engineer, which is crucial in understanding the genius behind his technical innovations. His technique enabled him to adeptly bend and twist wire in a way that not only lent beauty of form, but also gave the sculptures strength and ethereal movement. His performing sculptures abolished the necessity to walk around a sculpture and analyse it from multiple vantage points, because as then and now, they alter before ones eyes, constantly taking on endless dynamic forms. Alexander’s magical synthesis of line, form, color and movement has endowed his sculptures with the timeless, perpetual ability to define space rather than merely occupy it.  

Do peruse calder.org, the Calder Foundation’s excellent website.