Alexander Calder: A Pennsylvania Artist

Alexander Calder was born in Philadelphia in 1898.  His father and grandfather were successful sculptors.  Calder received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology but he chose to be an artist instead.

He is considered to be one of the most innovative artists of the 20th century.  He invented mobiles and stabiles (see photo at right).  He created a whole circus from wire.  Many of his figures were animated showing his background in engineering.

Fourth Grade art students are learning about the 3 dimensional art of sculpture.  We will be working with wire, which is a 3D line.  The students will begin the unit by drawing a simple shape with a continuous line to see how creating a form from wire will make it necessary for them to think and plan ahead. No erasing possible!

This is a fun project.  Watch for this one to come home in late January 2013.