Born into a family of artists, American sculptor Alexander Calder was immersed in a creative atmosphere from an early age. But it was his studies in mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology that set him apart from the artists of his time.
Articulating from bricks and mortar
Fascinated by the dynamics of lightness and movement, he used his knowledge of mechanics to transform wire and other metal parts into mobile creations, making him the inventor of kinetic sculpture.
His first work, “Lobster and Fish Tail”, established him as the inventor of this new art form. His dancing, swaying works interacted with more monumental “stabiles”, such as “L’Homme”, a stylized version of the human being created for the Montreal World’s Fair, which soars skyward like a giant with tenfold power.
Celebrating 100 years of “Cirque Calder
In his work, “Cirque de Calder”, the artist recounts the festive, joyous atmosphere of the circus world. As director of the circus, he has created an entire show in which acrobats, contortionists, acrobats and trapeze artists express their talent. Using bits and pieces of iron, wood, textile, string, cardboard, paper and other odds and ends, he has cobbled together little figures that perform to the delight of young and old alike. Calder, a true acrobat.
Calder’s gift for combining geometry with the delicacy of art made him a unique artist and a source of inspiration in design and architecture.
Organized in collaboration with the Calder Foundation, the exhibition brings together 300 sculptures, paintings, sketches and jewelry in over 3,000m2 of buildings and green spaces. The Musée Louis-Vuitton, designed by Franck Gehry, is certainly a prodigious showcase for Calder’s aerial works.
Dreaming in Balance” exhibition April 15 to August 16, 2026
Fondation Vuitton – Bois de Boulogne – 8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi – 75116 Paris
