Calder’s Circus, 1926-31. Wire, wood, metal, cloth, yarn, paper, cardboard, leather, string, rubber tubing, corks, buttons, rhinestones, pipe cleaners, and bottle caps.
Alexander Calder's Circus is setting up at the Whitney once again (it's part of their permanent collection, and was last up in 2009), and will be reinstalled at the museum on December 9th. A little background for those who haven't immersed themselves in Calder's wonderworld yet:
While living in Paris, from 1926 to 1931, Calder created his Circus out of the humblest of materials, including wire, cork, fabric, and string: a collection of tiny figures that walk tightropes, dance, lift weights, swallow swords, and execute a remarkable range of acrobatics in the ring. In addition to the human entertainers, the circus is populated by a veritable menagerie, including dogs and ponies, a lion, a camel, and a musical bear. For many years, Calder transported his miniature Circus between Paris and the United States, giving performances that became legendary.
The Whitney has 187 Calder works in their permanent collection, and will also have some of his other pieces on view. And here is Calder performing his Circus, from a 1955 film by Jean Painleve:
