Calder Gardens is a wealthy museum and prairie with works by sculptors in Philadelphia – Huge
Perhaps the most widely recognized creation of Alexander Calder is the mobile phone. The complimentary artist is a modernist giant whose desire to “paint” three-dimensional objects inspired the invention of developing into an accomplishment of art history and an ubiquitous nursery. Calder (1898-1976) was interested in movement and space and is often considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Now, his work has found a new home in a sprawling museum in Philadelphia, where his family has lived for generations, his birthplace. Located on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Calder Gardens includes 1.8 acres of landscaping and 18,000 square feet of building, showing the artist’s work’s rotational choice.
The museum aims to bring art, architecture and nature into an evolving dialogue. Piet Oudolf’s lush prairie, outdoor sculptures stand, while architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron creates interiors that interact with Calder’s sculptures. Large pieces hung in the airy concrete gallery, while smaller phones seemed to nest perfectly in the light-filled opening.
Calder Gardens are open Wednesday to Monday. Find more on its website.
