Alexander Calder's Circus

In celebration of the centenary of Alexander Calder’s iconic ‘Cirque Calder’ (1926-31), Shapero Modern investigates the influences behind this sculpture and the impact the circus has had on the artist and his works on paper. Read on to discover the story of Calder and the circus and view our curated selection of the artist's carnivalesque prints.

Hermann Landshoff, Der Bildhauer Alexander Calder und sein "Zirkus", 1951 Credit: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

As a young illustrator working for the National Police Gazette in 1925, Alexander Calder was asked to create a cover for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in New York. A simple commission that would spark a lifetime's fascination surrounding every aspect of the circus. Calder was captivated by the constantly evolving rhythm of the circus; from joy and excitement, to fear and threat, to victory and relief. This unique environment began to define the atmosphere of his work and, upon moving to Paris in 1926, Calder began his iconic extended series 'Cirque Calder'.

Alexander Calder, Gemeinfreie Zeitschriften-Seite, 1925 Credit: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

'Cirque Calder' consisted of miniature circus sets, complete with figurines, stage props, music and lighting all masterfully crafted from ordinary found objects such as wire, cork, metal and string. Calder’s background in engineering facilitated the action of these mini circuses, and many of the figurines were rigged for movement and could rotate or enact daring tasks, including the sword swallower who was able to mechanically swallow swords. Calder himself would animate the scenes, hosting lively performances in his studio for numerous members of the Paris avant garde, insisting that the pieces were intended to be watched in motion and action.

Throughout the artist’s career, the essence of the carnivalesque is enthusiastically embraced. Calder’s unique skill for capturing dynamism and liveliness in 2D formats is evident in his printed works. Characterised by its playful geometric shapes in bold primary colour, Calder’s printmaking practice is vibrantly reminiscent of the energy and vibrancy of 'Cirque Calder'.

Selected works by Alexander Calder