Strand C: All Together
Marco’s class is learning about different types of artists. The teacher gave his class this article to read.
All-Around Artist Some kids need to know how things work. They might take apart bicycles or construct model airplanes. Other kids like to make art and take pleasure in colors and shapes. When the famous artist Alexander Calder was young, he liked to do both these kinds of activities. Artistic talent was in his family: His father and grandfather were sculptors who created many famous statues of people and animals, while Alexander’s mother was a skilled portrait painter.
E L P M SA N O I T A C U D E Y ! L Y L L A L R . RA 9 9 . 8 8 8
Photo courtesy Wikimedia/ creativecommons.org
During Alexander’s childhood, the Calder family moved several times. His father was frequently hired to create a sculpture, and the family would have to move to where he needed to work. Despite the frequent moves, the Calders always ensured that Alexander had a place where he could create his artwork. When Alexander was just five, he began
. inventing little toys and games for him and his sister Peggy to play with. At age STEReleven,
MA AY. W Y N OT A B DUCED IN A N S I T .I TtoEDcollege REPRO an engineer. After Putting aside his artistic interests, Calder went to become H E G B I R O OK Tday, while working on a ship, he COPY of jobs. OOne B finishing school, Calder took Oon aIS variety K S I O H FAsORheT described it, there was “a fiery red sunrise” PLE B hisIVlife. N M E A saw a sight that would change S OT G THIS Nlooking S I N on one side and “the moon like a silver coin” on the other. This sight filled him ISSIO M R E P NE he made two simple sculptures out of brass as gifts for his parents. LACKLI
with an awe of nature and rekindled his creative interests. He decided to move to New York City to study to become an artist. Alexander Calder delved into different kinds of art. He drew illustrations, created
advertisements, and he even designed a one-man puppet show. In yet another project, using wire, leather, cloth, and wood, Calder built humorous characters and created a comic circus with them. He played the ringmaster and made the objects move to music. Calder traveled around Paris and New York giving shows with his circus, and people enjoyed them.
118 ©RALLY! EDUCATION. NO PART OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.