Valley High School
Ms. Sweet-Shibles
Alexander Calder
July 22, 1898 – November 11, 1976
American Sculpture noted for his kinetic mobiles and his stabiles.
Kinetic and Potential Energy
"Calder at NGA" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Calder_at_NGA.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Calder_at_NGA.jpg
Kinetic art: art that incorporates movement as part of its expression – either mechanically, by hand, or by natural forces.
Abstract: Art that does not look like something real or recognizable and emphasizes the elements of art-line, color, shape, texture and form.
Balance: to arrange so that one set of elements equals another.
Engineer: one who applies scientific and mathematical principles in his or her work. An engineer may plan and design bridges, roads, airplanes, or other structures.
Geometric shape: shape composed of lines, points, and angles, such as a square, circle, or triangle.
Mobile: a sculpture that has parts that are suspended and that move in response to air currents.
Stabile: Term coined to describe work created by Alexander Calder. The stabile rests on the ground but also may have moving parts.
Organic or free form shape: an irregular shape, not geometric.
Sculpture: a three dimensional work of art (having length, width, and height).
Symmetry: a balanced grouping of parts on either side of a line or around a center.
Potential energy: the stored energy of an object as a result or its position
Kinetic energy: the energy an object possesses as a result of its movement
Lever: a simple machine often used to do work with less effort. A simple lever consists of two sides (or arms) and a pivot point (or fulcrum) When effort is applied to the arm, the lever pivots (turns) on the fulcrum to lift some kind of load.
Effort: the force you apply to a lever. When effort is applied, the lever pivots on thefulcrum and the load is moved
Equilibrium: a state of balance on a lever. This occurs when the load and effort are equal.
Fulcrum: point where the lever turns or pivots
Load: what is moved on a lever (the weight found on one end)
Calder Assignments:
Read and Annotate the Article:
Alexander Calder and Katharine Kuh, “Alexander Calder,” in The Artist's Voice: Talks with Seventeen Artists (New York and Evanston, Illinois: Harper & Row, 1962).
Download Article and Annotate in Adobe
Number the questions
Chunk the text into questions that seem to go together with red line
Highlight in yellow important ideas or themes
Highlight in green Art Terms
Underline words that you don't know
Restate claims and ask questions in sticky notes throughout text
At the end, add sticky note to restate the big ideas
Save as yourname.CalderAnnotation and then email to me at sweetk@sad13.org with the subjec heading as Calder Reading Annotation
Watch and Answer Questions in a word document
1. Compare and Contrast Calders two pieces in this video. Make sure to use art elements and principles to discribe the differences and similarities. Also think about the 5 w's (why, what, when, how, and who)
2. Calder is inspired by another art form with these art works, what is this art form and what words and evidence does Alexander S. C. Rower used to describe this connection. At what point of the video do you find this answer? (give time place)
Save document as yourname.CalderQuestions and email to me at sweetk@sad13.org with the subject heading as Calder Video Questions
Watch the video about Levers
Down load Understanding Levers Worksheet, and label the different classes of levers.
Save Document as yourname.Understandinglevers and email to me at sweetk@sad13.org with the subject heading as Understanding Levers.
Create a Mobile inspired by Alexander Calder with these basic requirements
1. Mobile must balance and be able to move easily.
2. Mobile must have a clear theme (unity).
3. Mobile must use at least 5 levels.
4. Mobile must have at least 6 made objects and only 4 found objects, or 10 made objects
5. Mobile must be at least 18 x 10 x 2 inches. Your mobile must be able to be taken apart and put back together.
6. Mobiles must have drawings that will show how to reassemble the pieces.
