Calder's Circus

Alexander Calder was one of the most imaginative individuals of the 20th century. Fascinated with mechanical things, he surely would have become a mechanical engineer if he had not chosen the path of an artist and sculptor. Famous for his invention of the mobile, in this short movie you can see Calder as the ring master of his own tiny circus, made up of wire models of performers and animals. More than mere models, these little machines move in lifelike ways which you would not believe for things made out of wire and fluff. There are acrobats, cowboys, a lion tamer and a man is shot out of a cannon. The original models are now in the Whitney museum in New York, but without the mind of Calder to drive them, they are static toys.

Calder use to give regular performances of his circus in Paris. Groups of avant garde artists would gather and watch Calder bring his miniature creations to life.

Also to watch out for is his wife, who you can see in the background with a bemused expression on her face.