Alexander Calder (1898–1976).
From tiny wire decorations for dolls to a powerful breakthrough in the world of sculpture, this is how one can briefly describe the creative path of one of the most gifted artists of the 20th century.
Alexander was born in Pennsylvania, USA. He developed an early interest in art, which was understandable: representatives of more than one generation of the Calder family were engaged in sculpture and painting. It must be said that among them there were quite famous ones. Thus, Alexander’s father, Sterling Calder, completed many public commissions, including the statue of George Washington in the square of the same name in New York. The boy’s parents supported the desire of the young talent to leave his mark in art and contributed to the development of his abilities. Alexander’s path to creativity began with jewelry for his little sister’s dolls, then he moved on to making intricate wire jewelry for his mother.
Growing up, Calder decided to enter the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey to study mechanical engineering. But after receiving his diploma, he does not start working, as a certified specialist should, but goes on a three-year search for himself, which again led him to art.
In 1922, Alexander left for New York to receive an art education. While studying, the young man became interested in the circus. He worked part-time as an artist for the National Police Gazette and was assigned to do several sketches and illustrations of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performances.
In 1926, Calder went to Paris, where he opened his own workshop and began working on a miniature model of a circus arena, populating it with tiny figures of acrobats, jugglers, strongmen, clowns, gymnasts, dancers and horses, which were driven by threads, wires and rubber tubes. It was a blast! The grotesqueness and character of the characters of the inventive master made the audience laugh until they cried. The work was called “Cirque Calder”, it was finalized until 1960, simultaneously “touring” in different countries.
