Sunday, August 22, 2021

Mobile maker at play

 


The above is Alexander Calder, an American sculptor who spent some time in Paris, which was basically the law for artists at one time. He's best remembered for inventing the mobile. This is a film of "Circus", which he performed in 1955 at the Whitney.

Or it's just a middle aged man playing with his favorite toys. That could be worth watching too.

2 comments:

susan said...

Having seen this for the first time today I think I'd have to agree with your assessment of a middle aged man playing with his favorite toys. Why he did so is quite understandable in view of the fact they're so cleverly made but it seems to be a shame he never had a child to share his delight in making the circus characters.

Another famous man who loved toys was Uncle Walt Disney. He also loved trains and built a fabulous set before building Disneyland.

Ben said...

Calder and his wife did have two daughters. I'm guessing they were grown by the time this film was made, or somewhat grown at least. Artists tend to have things they can only express in their work, and he was probably not an exception to that rule.

The railroad that Walt Disney built on his property is really something to behold. Says that his wife had to be talked into it. I imagine.