Calder: Sculptor of Air

Alexander Calder (1898–1976) may not receive as much respect from art critics nowadays, but this American pioneer of kinetic art (mobiles), who later also became famous for his massive public sculptures (stabiles), still boasts many admirers, both among art connoisseurs and within the general public. François Lévy-Kuentz's documentary (combining biography with appreciation) originated as a French production, but the narration—as well as excerpts from Calder's own memoirs read over a wide array of illustrative archival materials (footage, stills, and drawings)—has been re-recorded in English. With its emphasis on the miniature circus in which Calder first attracted attention in Paris (as well as shots of him cavorting for the camera), the documentary manages to capture the joyfulness that lay behind his work while conveying his seriousness as an artist. Given that Roger M. Sherman's well-regarded profile of Calder for the PBS-aired American Masters series has been long out-of-print, Lévy-Kuentz's profile is most welcome, particularly for modern art collections. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)