Tate Modern

Calder is probably best known for his mobiles, which are certainly fun, but I really liked his earlier wire sculptures, particularly the portraits, Josephine Baker, Helen Wills, Fernand Leger, Joan Miro and the like. There was also a charming 'aquarium' he made for his mother, complete with a wire signature and a little handle to get the fish moving. He was naturally playful, creating circus shows for his friends with acrobats, knife throwers, trapeze artists and the like. They showed a film of one performance with Calder crawling around on the floor.… (more)