Alexander Calder

Tripes, 1974

• Sheet metal and paint
• 144" x 132" x 118"
• Courtesy of the Calder Foundation, New York
• At Brown: October 2004 - June 2007
• Installed on the Front Campus

Alexander Calder’s imposing 12-foot stabile Tripes was completed two years before his death and was on view on Brown’s Front Campus from October 2004 – June 2007. Made of matte black sheet metal, the biometric silhouettes typify the style of the renowned American sculptor. Though not a mobile, Tripes is still dynamic. Its tentacles curl and reach into space, creating a sense of movement that activates the space around it.

A master of many materials and techniques, Calder created a diverse body of work that represents a career-long interest in balance and form. Curiosity and creativity are at the fore of Calder’s work, from public monumental sculptures or small wire circus figurines. His emphasis on balance and motion reflects his interest in mathematics and engineering. Often thought of as both innovative and timeless, his work is well-suited for public display. Tripes was on view in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and at other sites in the United States.