Peggy Guggenheim and Alexander Calder: A Bond Between Art and Friendship

The history of twentieth-century art is studded with deep relationships between artists and patrons, bonds that have often helped shape the modern art scene. It is in this perspective that the talk “Peggy Guggenheim and Alexander Calder” fits in, an event that will be held on Sunday 15 September 2024 at the LAC in Lugano. The meeting will feature Karole PB Vail, Director of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, and Carmen Giménez, curator of the exhibition “Calder. Sculpting Time”, currently on display at the same cultural center.

A dialogue between history and art

Karole PB Vail (in the cover photo), art historian and granddaughter of the famous collector Peggy Guggenheim, will discuss Calder and his relationship with Guggenheim with Carmen Giménez, one of the most influential contemporary curators. This dialogue will offer the public a unique opportunity to explore the personal and professional ties between two giants of twentieth-century art. Peggy Guggenheim, as a patron, played a crucial role in the dissemination of Alexander Calder's work in Europe, and in Italy in particular, supporting him at decisive moments in his career.

Calder, known for his innovative mobiles and kinetic sculptures, developed a relationship of mutual respect with Guggenheim, who commissioned some of his most iconic works, including the mobile Arc of Petals (1941), currently on display in the exhibition “Calder. Sculpting Time” at MASI, and the silver headboard (1946), housed in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in Venice, the collector’s historic residence. This talk will explore not only the professional relationship between the two, but also their human bond, fueled by a deep mutual respect and a shared passion for art.

An exhibition that sculpts time

The exhibition “Calder. Sculpting Time”, curated by Carmen Giménez, represents a point of reference for those who want to understand Calder’s artistic evolution and his contribution to modern sculpture. Through his works, the artist explored new languages, playing with the dimension of time and space. The curator herself, during the talk, will offer insights into how Calder transformed the concept of sculpture, giving life to works that challenge traditional staticity, and how his vision was welcomed and supported by figures such as Peggy Guggenheim.

A meeting between past and present

The event will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Italian, to allow a wider audience to participate in this interesting discussion. At the end of the meeting, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to Karole PB Vail and Carmen Giménez, opening a space for direct discussion with two leading figures in the international museum and curatorial scene.

For more information and to participate in the event, you can consult the official LAC website.

Upcoming events at LAC

In addition to the September 15 talk, the LAC’s September 2024 calendar offers a series of unmissable events. Among these, the inauguration of the exhibition “Yves Klein and Arman: Le Vide et Le Plein” will take place on September 21, an exploration of the two faces of the French avant-garde. In addition, the public will be able to participate in guided tours in Italian for the exhibition “Calder. Sculpting Time”, scheduled for September 22 and September 28, with the latter at Palazzo Reali, where a thematic tour of the collection’s works will be held entitled “Black or White. Works from the Collection 1935–2021”.