Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles [Hardcover]

Jean Lipman (Author), Margaret Aspinwall (Contributor)

Book Description

-- In 95 illustrations Calder's mobiles are presented not just as studies of motion, but as vehicles for the artist's great playfulness and humor --Includes a guide to many of the Calder works that can be seen in museums and public spaces around the world Alexander Calder is surely the most beloved artist of the twentieth century, as well as a major figure in the history of modern sculpture. Calder invented the mobile and the stabile; he was endlessly creative at making drawings, jewelry, toys, and household objects; his miniature circus, at the Whitney Museum of American Art, is treasured by children of all ages. Calder has been appreciated as much for his witty and playful personality as for his artistic achievement. Aspects of both the man and the work are captured in this beautifully produced book created to be especially accessible for young readers. Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles tells the story of Calder's life and career, and relates, often in the artist's own words, his working methods and his own feelings about his art. The publication presents a treasury of favorite works by Calder, as well as fascinating photographs of the artist in his studio. There is also a sequence of photographs that can be flipped to show a mobile in motion. Jean Lipman, was the editor of Art in America magazine for thirty years, then Editor of Publications at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Here at last is a book that truly captures all the joy, all the exuberance, all the spirit of Alexander (Sandy) Calder and his unique art.

Calder is surely the most beloved artist of the twentieth century--as well as a major figure in the history of modern sculpture. Calder invented the mobile and the stabile; he was endlessly creative at making drawings, jewelry, toys, and household objects; and he made a miniature circus that is treasured by children of all ages.

Sandy Calder has been appreciated as much for his witty and playful personality as for his artistic genius. Now aspects of both the man and the artist are captured in a beautifully produced book created especially for young readers.

Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles presents a treasury of favorite works by Calder, forty of them in full color, as well as many fascinating photographs of the artist at work. There is also a sequence of photographs that can be flipped to show a mobile in motion. The delightful text tells the story of Calder's life and career, and relates--often in the artist's own words--his working methods and his own feelings about his art. The book also includes a guide to many of the Calder sculptures that can be seen in museums and public spaces around the world.

About the Author

Jean Lipman, an authority on American art and modern sculpture is a long-time friend of Calder and his family and has collected his work for many years. Mrs. Lipman is the author three Calder books and was the editor of Art in America magazine for thirty years, then editor of publications at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Hudson Hills Press; 1st edition (November 15, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933920172
• ISBN-13: 978-0933920170
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Art

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just all right, March 10, 2000

By 

Kenneth R. Cavagnaro "Boldness character exce... (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles (Hardcover)

Calder is my favorite artist ever. This book captures many of his different styles of works, but it needs photos of his standing mobiles, such as Little Parasite. The book has only a couple photos of unspectacular standing mobiles.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ideal guide to understanding the mobile, March 9, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles (Hardcover)

Mobiles are a quaint and unique medium of art. "Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles" is the tale of mobile artist Alexander Calder, telling his life story and how he came into the field, but mostly focusing on the man's art. Drawing from Calder's own words much of the time, "Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles" features many photographs of his work in black-and-white, as well as forty photographs in full color. An ideal guide to understanding the mobile, "Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles" is highly recommended.