The Paris Years

The Paris Years

One good thing to come out of my recent short lived romance with an artist was a trip to The Whitney Museum of American Art to see Alexander Calder: The Paris Years 1926-1933. I think most people are familiar with Calder through his mobiles but this exhibition brings a whole other side of Calder to light through his wonderfully creative wire caricature portraits, wire menagerie of animals, and his famous Circus. Around every corner is a new visual treat. I think this was of my favorite shows of all time and I hope everyone will try to see it before it closes on February 15th.

Alexander Calder, 'Dog', 1926-31. Wood, clothespin, and wire, Dog, 1926-31. Wood, clothespin, and wire.

Alexander Calder, Jimmy Durante, 1928. Iron wire and sculpture.

Alexander Calder, Goldfish Bowl, 1929. Wire.

Alexander Calder, Helen Wills, 1927. Wire and wood.

Alexander Calder, Untitled, 1932. Pen with ink on paper.

Alexander Calder, Equestrian Act from Calder’s Circus, 1926-31. Wire, wire, cloth, metal, wood, cardboard, rhinestones, thread, paint, rubber, cork, string.

Alexander Calder, Five suitcases in which Calder transported his Circus, 1926-31.