Born into a family of artists, Calder initially studied mechanical engineering before turning to art, a background that would deeply influence his sculptural practice. After moving to Paris in the 1920s, he became part of the avant-garde circle, where he developed his first wire sculptures and the famous Cirque Calder, a miniature performative work combining sculpture and movement.
In the early 1930s, Calder pioneered kinetic sculpture with the invention of the “mobile,” a term coined by Marcel Duchamp. These suspended works, composed of abstract shapes in delicate balance, move with air currents, creating ever-changing compositions. Alongside mobiles, he also created “stabiles,” monumental stationary sculptures characterized by bold forms and industrial materials.
Calder exhibited internationally and became one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, contributing to the development of abstraction and kinetic art. His works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Guggenheim Museum. He died in New York in 1976.
