Alexander Calder's approach to the art world was one that possibly changed the way that we perceive art and also contributed to the way in which we define art. Calder's art broke some of the social norms that were associated with traditional art pieces and made an approach that was centered on fun and humor. He was born in 1898 in Philadelphia was almost immediately thrown into the art world. His father and grandfather were well known sculptors and his mother was a painter. When he was young he was very interested in mechanics and engineering but later on in life he turned more toward the aesthetic sides of things and enrolled in the Art Student’s League in New York. Perhaps one of his most famous work came from his projects called the "Calder Circus" The “Circus” was a miniature reproduction of an actual circus. Made from wire, cork, wood, cloth and other easily found materials; the “Circus” was a working display that Calder would show regularly. Later on he added motors to these pieces and movement became part of the circus.
"In 1976, Alexander Calder died. Throughout his life, his commitment to creating work free from the pretensions of the art world and accessible to all, never stopped him from making exquisitely beautiful and important sculpture. In a century that saw the forms of art and literature reinvented regularly, Alexander Calder stands out as one of the great pioneers of his time." - PBS
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