Wire Sculpture Shown through works of Alexander Calder

Wire Sculpture

Shown through works of Alexander Calder

Definition of Wire

A usually pliable metallic strand made in many lengths and diameters (gauges).

Group of wire strands twisted or braided together as a functional unit is a cable.

Alexander Calder, Black Spot

Alexander Calder

Born, 1898—Died, 1976 Family of classically

trained artists, father—sculptor, mother—painter

Earned degree in mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Tech, NJ

Art Students League, NY, studied painting

Calder’s Innovation

New method of sculpting—bending and twisting wire

Drawing 3-D figures in space

3 types, hanging, standing, wall-mounted

Calder, Fountain

Calder, Bedhead, 1945-46

Calder, The Brass Family, 1927

Calder, Goldfish Bowl, 1929

“To an engineer, good enough means perfect. With an artist, there is no such thing as perfect.”

–Alexander Calder

Facial Proportions

Proportions of the Face Eyes are halfway between the top of the head

and the chin. Bottom of the nose is halfway between the

eyes and the chin.Mouth is halfway between the nose and the

chin. Corners of the mouth line up with the centers of the eyes.

Top of the ears line up above the eyes, on the eyebrows. Bottom of the ears line up with the bottom of the nose.

When Drawing...

Do not pick up pencil Do not erase Follow contours-

outline Slow down take your

time

Look at the mirror Hand should not

move when not looking at mirror

Draw what you see not what you think you see!

Remember...

Our faces are not continuous lines, therefore, it will not look exactly

like us.