Date: Fri 01-Oct-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: MARION

Quick Words:

Calder-mobile-Cleveland

Full Text:

Alexander Calder Mobile And Other Works Donated To The Clevelandd Museum Of

Art

CLEVELAND OHIO -- A large painted mobile by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) has

been given to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mrs Odette Valbrague Wurzburger

in memory of her husband, Paul D. Wurzburger, announced Kate M. Sellers, the

museum's acting director. "Two Systems," circa 1953, is now on view in the

museum's contemporary galleries.

A painting of "Bamboo" by Korea's foremost painted of the subject, Yi Chong

(1541-1622), and other newly acquired works are now on view in the recent

acquisitions gallery.

"Alexander Calder was one of America's most innovative and technically

accomplished sculptors. `Two Systems' is an impressive, classic example of the

magical mobiles he invented," said Tom E. Hinson, MCA's curator of

contemporary art and photography.

Trained as a mechanical engineer, Calder became fascinated with the

astronomical discoveries of the early Twentieth Century, and translated his

engineering background and his interest in the universe into artistic

explorations of movement of counterbalanced objects in space. His hanging

mobiles and standing "stabiles" were usually, like "Two Systems," composed of

petal or paddle-like shapes painted in bold primary colors.

Entering CMA's drawings collection is "Portrait of a Lady within an Elaborate

Cartouche," by Giuseppe Cades (1750-1799), the museum's first work by this

significant neo-classical artist. Evidently created for the sitter, this

highly finished drawing portrays her in profile, like a ruler depicted on an

ancient or Renaissance coin, ringed by a pair of male nudes (personifying

victory and fame) holding a crown above her.

Among other recent acquisitions are the following:

By Nineteenth Century Chinese artist Yang Yisun, "On the Enjoyment of Life:

Calligraphy in Seal Style" (archaic Chinese script).

By David Smith, a lithograph, handcolored in blue, of "Don Quixote" (1952).

Considered the artist's most important print.

From the African Zulu culture of this century, a large clay beer pot,

enriching the CMA's small collection of contemporary African crafts, was given

by Bernie and Sue Pucker.

By Maria Martinez (1881-1980), one of the most distinguished native American

potters of the southwest, an earthenware bowl from the 1940s, given in memory

of Dr Henry L. Tapp by his family, MaryLou, Carl, and Richard Tapp.

The museum is located at 11150 East Boulevard.

Telephone 216/421-7340.