ALEXANDER CALDER : Popular and Loved Artist
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an easy-going, pleasant and fun-loving person and his work reflected these characteristics. Add to this, physical and mental dexterity, a scientific mind and creativity and originality that broke through sculptural customs and traditions. He became one of the most popular and loved artists of his time, highly appreciated as one of the great sculptors of the 20th century. His colourful work in red, blue, yellow, black and white, is delightful and gives great pleasure. This American artist is one of his century’s unique sculptors and is now considered a pioneer for 21st century art movements, such as installations and mobile art.
Calder came from a long line of artists, as both his father and grandfather were successful sculptors, and his mother was a portrait painter. He first showed artistic inclination as a boy by collecting pieces of copper wire from the street to make jewellery for his sister’s dolls. Then, at eleven, he sculpted a Christmas present for his parents, a dog and a duck, and made the duck rock when gently touched.
Fearing he would suffer as an artist, his parents advised him to study mechanical engineering, which helped him tremendously in his mechanised mobiles. Later, when asked why he studied mechanical engineering instead of art, his answer was: “I wanted to be