The Surreal Calder

by Mark Rosenthal, Francisco Calvo Serraller

Alexander Calder (1898-1976) is a key presence in the history of modern art, and yet he is rarely seen or remembered in the context from which he initially emerged as an artist.  When Calder became "Calder" – well known for his signature mobiles and stabiles – it was due to a unique variety of presiding influences.  His artistic parentage consisted of Marcel Duchamp, who provided the name of and concept for the mobile; Piet Mondrian, who introduced pure abstraction to him; and Joan Miró, who communicated the central theses of Surrealism.  Although Calder went on to play a major role in Surrealist manifestations during the formative years of the movement, including being shown in the defining 1936 "Exposition surréaliste d'objets" in Paris, he has since been separated from those beginnings.  Indeed, at this point in time, Calder is never included in exhibitions of Surrealist art, even though he was incubated by that phenomenon and contributed mightily to it.
This book will put the artist back in midst of Surrealism so that his achievement is more profoundly understood within that context. Works by artists such as Miró, Max Ernst, Yves Tanguy, and René Magritte will delineate the Surrealist milieu and some of its chief aspects.  The following theses are also explored: Calder's wit, caricature, and linear flights of fancy; his marvelous personages and fantastic creatures; biomorphic forms from an imaginary vision of nature; and his constellations, apparent views of celestial space.

Genres: Art

156 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2005

Reviews

[Catharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was younger, we used to huddle together in front of the tv where my dad would play a dvd of Calder’s Circus, a miniature circus made of wires and other found objects (see link in bio for snippet). It is still enchanting for me to see a grown man play in creativity, with such delicacy and tenderness. Isn’t that what art has to offer us? Going back to our childlike wonder.

The circus was one of his first big artworks and he became instantly infamous with the Parisian avant-garde, gaining admirers like Miró, Duchamp and Mondriaan. Although he was never officially part of the Surrealist movement (he liked to remain autonomous), he was inspired by many of the Surrealist artists as they were by him. Duchamp helped him on numerous occasions with naming his objects, including giving the name ‘mobiles’ to his hanging moving sculptures.


Alexander Calder (USA) was actually a mechanical engineer, until one day while being out on the sea he saw the sun rise and the moon setting simultaneously. This beauty inspired him to be an artist. His engineering background can explain his beautifully balanced mobiles and wire sculptures. This book offers a great overview of his work and includes pictures taken by his friend Herbert Matter. A true cherry on the top, because I just love to get a peek inside the studios of artists.