Sculpture Forum 23: Alexander Calder, Modern from the Start

Sculpture Forum 23: Alexander Calder, Modern from the Start. Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2021. Participants: Garth Evans, with Joel Shapiro, Brandt Junceau, and Jock Ireland (video and editing by Rachael Bohlander). Please visit www.sculptureforum.net to comment and to see other posts not available on TH-cam.
Sculpture Forum; confronting sculpture.
I have launched this project because I feel that there is a need for it, a hunger even.
It is a simple concept; small groups, led by a sculptor, confronting sculptures and articulating the thoughts, feelings, ideas and associations that the works provoke. These conversations will take place in museums, galleries, studios and in front of public works. The ensuing discussion is video taped and made public in such a way that others can respond, extending the exchange.
Most of the arts have well-established mechanisms through which the meaning and significance of a particular work is forged yet, too often, sculpture is dealt with as an adjunct to painting. This project aims to give sculptors themselves a place to disclose how they look at sculptures, and along with educators, critics and others, to share how they engage with them and what they consider valuable about them.
Garth Evans, 2018

[@campbellmorrison8540]

I enjoy your musings and always learn something new, I had never heard of David Smith so now I have a new area to pursue thank you

[@emaichart9083]

Conocí la obra de Calder cuando era una niña y hasta hoy sigo enamorada de ella.

[@sharksport01]

This is better with the sound turned off.

[@robertspies4695]

I love Calder's work, especially his wire sculptures. I saw an extensive exhibition of those at the Centre Pompidou some years ago. They are brilliant and to watch their shadows morph on the walls behind them as they rotatated in the air currents of the Centre's galleries was mesmerizing.The large black pieces made of metal reliefs bolted together are impressive but I agree with Garth that something is missing. Hard to say.
Thanks for this discussion.

[@robertcoyle1532]

It seems to me that Calder's forms are all about flow. Your eye gets caught in the flow. You follow the form, you end up having to flow with it. It embodies the most rudimentary form of composition and you find yourself looping through it again.

[@harperwelch5147]

“One of the most famous sculptors, for …. ever. I guess.” Not a great start for a documentary. Feels home made. I guess.

[@PierreMarchand67]

Calder is to modern sculpture what Saint Exupery’s little prince is to modern littérature. Over analyzing his work is pointless.