Untitled

1939–1945

The war years: “constellations” instead of aluminium

During the Second World War Calder tries to join the Marines as a camoufleur but is rejected. Adapting to a scarcity of aluminium, he returns to carved wood in a new open form of sculpture called “constellations”.

1946

The Louis Carré show and Sartre’s essay

In 1946 a Calder show organised by Duchamp, made up mainly of hanging and standing mobiles, opens at Galerie Louis Carré in Paris; because of the postal service’s strict size limits he takes some works apart and sends them by mail. The show makes a huge impact, as does the catalogue essay by Jean-Paul Sartre.

1948

A Rio de Janeiro show nearly sells out

By 1948 Calder’s works are selling: his solo show in Rio de Janeiro nearly sells out, and he becomes the first internationally renowned sculptor.