Animated Coat Hanger, 1927, Alexander Calder, 1898-1976, wire and wood, 19 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 in., Promised gift of Jon and Mary Shirley, © 2023 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, photo: Nicholas Shirley, Brightwood Photos
AUDIO GUIDE TRANSCRIPT
NARRATOR:
Wire sculpture was Calder’s first great invention. He removed mass from sculpture and introduced transparency as well as gentle movement through vibration.
JOSÉ CARLOS DIAZ:
Animated Coat Hanger is really special to this exhibition.
NARRATOR:
Curator José Diaz.
JOSÉ CARLOS DIAZ:
This particular work is from 1927 which is an example of one of the earliest works in the show.
Calder had been so innovative with wire, so much so that we use the term drawing in space.
NARRATOR:
Artist Kennedy Yanko.
KENNEDY YANKO:
The fact that he would carry pliers in his pocket and just decide to start drawing is such a true thing to me, the idea of choosing a medium to represent drawing.
JOSÉ CARLOS DIAZ (continuing):