Special Exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art
Works by Picasso, Miró, and Calder Are Showcased in Late 2009
Oct 18, 2009
From October 2009 to January 2010, the special exhibits at the SDMA will highlight the works of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Alexander Calder.
The Jewelry of Alexander Calder
Alexander Calder, a well-known American sculptor, was renowned for the three-dimensional objects that he created from a variety of metals and found materials. Calder coined the term “mobiles” to describe his work.
In addition to his sculptures, Calder also created pieces of jewelry that he referred to as “wearable mobiles.” In fact, he is credited with designing more than 1800 pieces of jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings. This exhibit features ninety of the pieces, each of which was worn by a friend or family member of Calder’s or by a prominent person in 20th century society. Some of the recipients include Calder’s wife, Louisa James Calder, as well as the wives of artists Joan Miró, Marcel Duchamp, and Marc Chagall.
Located in a gallery on the bottom floor of the museum, across the hall from the Picasso, Miró, and Calder exhibit, the display of Calder jewelry is sure to impress.
Picasso, Miró, Calder
This exhibit, which complements the Calder Jewelry exhibit in both content and physical location, showcases approximately fifty works by Picasso, Miró, and Calder. Located across the hall from Calder Jewlery, this exhibit displays Calder’s mobiles as well as drawings and paintings by Picasso and Miró. These three artists constitute a triumvirate in the area of modernist art and, when viewed together, their bodies of work incorporate an impressive variety of genres. The fact that Calder created jewelry for Miró’s wife is also a nice touch that makes the connection between the artists even tighter.
Above and beyond serving as a complement to the Calder Jewlery exhibit, this showcase also represents one of the museum’s first attempts to re-introduce some of the work from its modernist collection. During 2010, the SDMA will be placing a special emphasis on displaying works from this period.
A Word of Caution about the Dates of the Displays
When it comes to the signage on the museum and the dates of the displays, a few words of caution are in order. While Calder Jewelry is on display until January 3, 2010, the Picasso, Miró, Calder exhibit is only available for viewing until December 6, 2009. That said, it would be best to view the displays by the beginning of December if one is interested in seeing the whole picture.
Additionally, the museum signage trumpets the names of Max Weber, Jacques Lipchitz, and Mark Rothko alongside that of Picasso, Miró, and Calder. However, after scouring the museum for these works and searching high and low, one would discover that the works of these artists are not yet on display as they are part of an upcoming exhibit entitled, American Artists from the Russian Empire. This exhibit does not go on display until October 24, 2009, well after the opening of Picasso, Miró, Calder and Calder Jewlery.
Museum Hours and Admission Prices
The SDMA is located in the heart of Balboa Park, near the Organ Pavilion and the Prado Restaurant. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays (through Labor Day) from 10 a.m. to 9 pm. The museum is open for special extended hours for “December Nights” on a select weekend during the holiday season.
The cost of admission is $12 for an adult, $9 for senior or active military, and $8 for students with ID. The museum is always free for admittance on the third Tuesday of each month, and during the month of February the cost of admission is half-price with a “Museum Month” pass that can be picked up at any Macy’s department store location.
For additional questions or information, please contact the museum at (619) 232-7931 or visit the SDMA website.
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