Several weeks ago I visited the The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City to see the Alexander Calder Hypermobility exhibit on the top floor. You may remember that I posted about wanting to go and see it back in June. I'm so glad that I was able to make the trip to NYC to do it!
What is this huge crowd staring at? Each day a curator comes to "activate" several of the sculptures — different ones each time. Sometimes you'll see people standing in front of a Calder mobile or sculpture and blowing on it as hard as they can to try to get it to move. For this exhibit, the Whitney does the blowing for you. Or rather, they take a big stick and push the objects into motion. You can see some of them in motion here.
I had previously seen a very impressive collection of Calder's work at SFMoMA (I posted about it here) and so I was somewhat underwhelmed by the size and scope of this exhibit. Nevertheless, I had never seen Calder's work truly in motion (more than a huff and a puff's worth) and that was an enormous treat!
I often talk about the museumification of art. Calder's work is obviously meant to move and it seems so sad to me that it no longer does. It was great to get a full sense of the work by seeing it dance!
Have you ever seen a Calder in motion? I'd love to hear about the experience! Thanks for stopping by!
WOW…what graceful lines in his sculptures! I have always been a fan. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who live too far away from NYC. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Thank you!!
WOW…what graceful lines in his sculptures! I have always been a fan. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who live too far away from NYC. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Thank you!!
WOW…what graceful lines in his sculptures! I have always been a fan. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who live too far away from NYC. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Thank you!!
WOW…what graceful lines in his sculptures! I have always been a fan. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who live too far away from NYC. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Thank you!!
WOW…what graceful lines in his sculptures! I have always been a fan. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who live too far away from NYC. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Thank you!!
WOW…what graceful lines in his sculptures! I have always been a fan. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with those of us who live too far away from NYC. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Thank you!!
Several years ago the Peabody Essex Museum had a Calder exhibit with wind machines blowing the pieces. Quite wonderful. They also paid great attention to capturing the shadow effects of the works. (As in Ruth Asawa’s weavings, the shadows are part of the art.) There was also a haunting musical accompaniment, though I can’t remember the details. One of the very best experiences I’ve had at the Peabody.
Several years ago the Peabody Essex Museum had a Calder exhibit with wind machines blowing the pieces. Quite wonderful. They also paid great attention to capturing the shadow effects of the works. (As in Ruth Asawa’s weavings, the shadows are part of the art.) There was also a haunting musical accompaniment, though I can’t remember the details. One of the very best experiences I’ve had at the Peabody.
Several years ago the Peabody Essex Museum had a Calder exhibit with wind machines blowing the pieces. Quite wonderful. They also paid great attention to capturing the shadow effects of the works. (As in Ruth Asawa’s weavings, the shadows are part of the art.) There was also a haunting musical accompaniment, though I can’t remember the details. One of the very best experiences I’ve had at the Peabody.
Several years ago the Peabody Essex Museum had a Calder exhibit with wind machines blowing the pieces. Quite wonderful. They also paid great attention to capturing the shadow effects of the works. (As in Ruth Asawa’s weavings, the shadows are part of the art.) There was also a haunting musical accompaniment, though I can’t remember the details. One of the very best experiences I’ve had at the Peabody.
Several years ago the Peabody Essex Museum had a Calder exhibit with wind machines blowing the pieces. Quite wonderful. They also paid great attention to capturing the shadow effects of the works. (As in Ruth Asawa’s weavings, the shadows are part of the art.) There was also a haunting musical accompaniment, though I can’t remember the details. One of the very best experiences I’ve had at the Peabody.
Several years ago the Peabody Essex Museum had a Calder exhibit with wind machines blowing the pieces. Quite wonderful. They also paid great attention to capturing the shadow effects of the works. (As in Ruth Asawa’s weavings, the shadows are part of the art.) There was also a haunting musical accompaniment, though I can’t remember the details. One of the very best experiences I’ve had at the Peabody.
That sounds AMAZING!
That sounds AMAZING!
That sounds AMAZING!
That sounds AMAZING!
That sounds AMAZING!
That sounds AMAZING!
I work in the Music Library of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and a Calder is right near an entrance to the building. It is often moving either because of the wind or the students giving it a push. NIU has at least another piece of his on campus. Even one is fun to be around. Sometimes the younger children who take lessons here are less timid than the older kids and just get it going. Parents will often tell them not to do it and have to be told it is OK. Kinetic Art. Being an artist I share an art lesson with them too.
I work in the Music Library of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and a Calder is right near an entrance to the building. It is often moving either because of the wind or the students giving it a push. NIU has at least another piece of his on campus. Even one is fun to be around. Sometimes the younger children who take lessons here are less timid than the older kids and just get it going. Parents will often tell them not to do it and have to be told it is OK. Kinetic Art. Being an artist I share an art lesson with them too.
I work in the Music Library of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and a Calder is right near an entrance to the building. It is often moving either because of the wind or the students giving it a push. NIU has at least another piece of his on campus. Even one is fun to be around. Sometimes the younger children who take lessons here are less timid than the older kids and just get it going. Parents will often tell them not to do it and have to be told it is OK. Kinetic Art. Being an artist I share an art lesson with them too.
I work in the Music Library of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and a Calder is right near an entrance to the building. It is often moving either because of the wind or the students giving it a push. NIU has at least another piece of his on campus. Even one is fun to be around. Sometimes the younger children who take lessons here are less timid than the older kids and just get it going. Parents will often tell them not to do it and have to be told it is OK. Kinetic Art. Being an artist I share an art lesson with them too.
I work in the Music Library of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and a Calder is right near an entrance to the building. It is often moving either because of the wind or the students giving it a push. NIU has at least another piece of his on campus. Even one is fun to be around. Sometimes the younger children who take lessons here are less timid than the older kids and just get it going. Parents will often tell them not to do it and have to be told it is OK. Kinetic Art. Being an artist I share an art lesson with them too.
I work in the Music Library of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and a Calder is right near an entrance to the building. It is often moving either because of the wind or the students giving it a push. NIU has at least another piece of his on campus. Even one is fun to be around. Sometimes the younger children who take lessons here are less timid than the older kids and just get it going. Parents will often tell them not to do it and have to be told it is OK. Kinetic Art. Being an artist I share an art lesson with them too.
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!