Alexander Calder:

Working with Balance +Drawing in 3 Dimensions:

MobilesAmerican Artist

1898-1976

Alexander Calder was an American artist who worked with metals in the 20th century. He used metals which were often recycled from tin cans, old signs and discarded copper wire. Calder is considered to be one of the greatest sculptors of our time.

He profoundly changed the course of modern art by developing a new method of sculpting: by bending and twisting wire, he essentially "drew" three-dimensional figures in space.

Doodles in Space?

Calder is renowned for the invention of the mobile, whose suspended, abstract elements move and balance in changing harmony.

The mobile hangs from the ceiling and can be moved by a breeze, a breath or people walking by it.

Things to think about…

The many possibilities of Color and Line

Creating Rhythm

The Size of your shapes- the bigger they are, the more they weigh! And the more little pieces you will need to balance that weight…

What symbols and 5 elements will you choose?

Calder also devoted himself to making outdoor sculpture on a grand scale from bolted sheet steel.

He invented sculptures called stabiles, which stayed still, to complement his mobiles and as a play on the word “stable.”

Stabiles

Teodelapio, 1962

Do you recognize this?

Alexander Calder’s stabile, Flamingo, in Federal Plaza at the 2006 Immigration March,

Chicago.

MobilesMobiles are a type of kinetic sculpture.

What is kinetic sculpture?

Kinetic Sculpture is…The word kinetic means relating to motion. Kinetic art

is art that depends on motion for its effects. Since the early twentieth century, artists have been incorporating movement into art.

A kinetic sculpture made by sculptor Arthur Ganson

Making a mobile involves:

Creating ShapesUsing Expressive Lines Making it all Balance!

Let’s Break it Down!

Creating ShapesWhere are the shapes here?

Using Expressive LinesWhere are expressive lines used here?

Making it all Balance!How in the world…?

One Last Thing…

Art materials are to be shared and treated with respect.

Challenge yourself to make something really cool.

I only have 8 visits with you- Let’s make it count!

HAVE FUN!

Bibliography

Calder Foundation

http://www.calder.org/

Arthur Ganson’s Machines

http://www.arthurganson.com/

Chicago Immigration March Photo

http://www.pierretristam.com/