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Calder at Home: The Joyous Environment of Alexander Calder
Presents a photographic retrospective of the American sculptor famous for his creation of the mobile, showing him at home with his family and at his work
- GenresArtBiographyNonfiction
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 28, 2009
Years ago a huge Calder exhibition came to my city’s modern art museum. I attended numerous times, and every time saw the entire exhibition, frequently smiling almost maniacally. I simply felt happy viewing Calder’s art; I just love his art.
Now, after having read and viewed this book, I’m also in love with the artist, the man. Sandy. He wasn’t at all pretentious. He certainly lived as he created. This is one case where life is art and art is life: he created almost everything in his world, including the family’s kitchen utensils, art on the toilet, and making or decorating various other practical, and a few not practical, items in their home. Sandy’s wife Louisa is given her due too. Their houses are really something, and of particular interest to those who appreciate Calder’s work or creative places in general.
The author of this book, a photographer, followed Calder the man and his work through the last 13 years of Calder’s life, and in this book he also gives pertinent information about Calder’s earlier life and Calder’s family’s history. Calder really comes to life here, flaws and admirable traits both, especially the latter.
I love the toys Calder made for his grandchildren. I love Louisa’s rugs; they’re based on Calder’s designs. I love how Calder’s art pieces are all over their properties, inside and outside on their land.
I’d known virtually nothing about Calder’s life and nothing about his wife or family. This book was a lovely way to get acquainted with them and to see so much of Calder’s art that I’ve never seen in museums.
Now, after having read and viewed this book, I’m also in love with the artist, the man. Sandy. He wasn’t at all pretentious. He certainly lived as he created. This is one case where life is art and art is life: he created almost everything in his world, including the family’s kitchen utensils, art on the toilet, and making or decorating various other practical, and a few not practical, items in their home. Sandy’s wife Louisa is given her due too. Their houses are really something, and of particular interest to those who appreciate Calder’s work or creative places in general.
The author of this book, a photographer, followed Calder the man and his work through the last 13 years of Calder’s life, and in this book he also gives pertinent information about Calder’s earlier life and Calder’s family’s history. Calder really comes to life here, flaws and admirable traits both, especially the latter.
I love the toys Calder made for his grandchildren. I love Louisa’s rugs; they’re based on Calder’s designs. I love how Calder’s art pieces are all over their properties, inside and outside on their land.
I’d known virtually nothing about Calder’s life and nothing about his wife or family. This book was a lovely way to get acquainted with them and to see so much of Calder’s art that I’ve never seen in museums.
February 26, 2019
Spectacular preparation for a visit to a Calder retrospective. I learned so much, and the view into his daily life and family, photos of this amazing artist's homes and workshops, all of it was a happy escape from US politics. Pedro Guerrero was personal friends with Calder and his family, and the rapport shows.
Recommended reading for anyone going to a large Calder exhibit, or interested enough to learn more. My children and I have decided that this artist is basically the flip of Picasso. Both were geniuses who created entire art forms and transformed art, but one was an inherently decent person with a loving family life and stability. The other was Picasso. The contrast has shown my children, who have been hauled along to many a Calder exhibit or sculpture viewing, that genius doesn't have to be a jerk. Jerks are jerks. Geniuses can be like Calder - a good and loving person.
Recommended reading for anyone going to a large Calder exhibit, or interested enough to learn more. My children and I have decided that this artist is basically the flip of Picasso. Both were geniuses who created entire art forms and transformed art, but one was an inherently decent person with a loving family life and stability. The other was Picasso. The contrast has shown my children, who have been hauled along to many a Calder exhibit or sculpture viewing, that genius doesn't have to be a jerk. Jerks are jerks. Geniuses can be like Calder - a good and loving person.
October 25, 2009
What an interesting book! It is an intimate look into the life and lifestyle of Alexander Calder. The book has 13 years of photos of Calder's "joyous environment", taken as Guerrero repeatedly visited the places where the sculptor lived and created. To someone who loves order the way I do, this was a glimpse into a world of total disorder and creativity, where every item in his crowded studios and homes had some significance. It was just fascinating. I have been a fan of Calder's for 30 years and this book just added to my appreciation.
January 16, 2019
It was great to read, for once, about an artist whose life seems to have been as joyous as his work. The emphasis is photographs of Calder’s homes and work spaces, but the text describes a man who was remarkably open with his life and was surrounded by loving friends and family.
September 12, 2008
A beautiful photo book of Alexander Calder's environs - in both CT and France.
His whimsical creativity permeated his homes. This would be a book best suited to a fan of the sculptor and inventor of the mobile, although it might make you into a fan!
His whimsical creativity permeated his homes. This would be a book best suited to a fan of the sculptor and inventor of the mobile, although it might make you into a fan!
April 27, 2012
How inspiring - everything was art! And I bet he was the most amazing grandpa!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews