Mattatuck Museum Planning Alexander Calder Event

WATERBURY — The Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center will host a one-of-a-kind event highlighting the work of the acclaimed artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976) on Friday, July 14, from 6 to 8:30 pm.

Alexander S.C. Rower, director of the Calder Foundation and grandson of the artist, will give an illustrated talk, “The Life and Work of Alexander Calder,” accompanied by a viewing of a 17½-foot high Calder sculpture that will be in the museum’s courtyard.

Calder was perhaps the most influential sculptor of the 20th Century, creating abstract sculpture that moves, three-dimensional wire pieces, his famous mobiles and massive outdoor sculptures from sheet metal. His work is in public places throughout the world, as well as being an important part of many museum collections.

Mr Rower is the authentic voice on Alexander Calder. He is supervising the preparation of the Calder catalogue raisonné, as well as significant exhibits about the artists’ work around the world. He was the co-curator of the definitive Calder exhibit at the National Gallery in 1998. He also played a leading role in the Calder documentary on PBS’s American Masters series and presides over the Calder archive, the foundation’s important collection of artwork and the Calder website, Calder.org.

Mr Rower’s visit to the Mattatuck coincides with a yearlong Calder project sponsored by the museum with the arts magnet school in Waterbury and the installation of an exhibition kiosk in the museum about the artist who lived in Roxbury and made many of his works in Waterbury.

This event includes a light supper. Tickets are available at $100 per person by calling the museum at 203-753-0381, extension 10. The Mattatuck is at 144 West Main Street.