Often, the large-scale projects are parachuted in the city, towns or communities for a small period. The public artwork is meant to create a remarkable community involvement. However, it cannot be said as to how an audience will accept a piece of artwork, especially if it is a difficult one. Still, there is a need to approach them intelligently and get convinced of the integrity of the artist. One comes across different kinds of public art at various sites and under different conditions of permanence. They are viewed by different kinds of 'public' and artists and critics view the suite and the artwork in various ways.
The essay examines Alexander Calder's Flamingo sculpture in Chicago, which is a studio sculpture and considered a prestigious work (McAvera 2001). The abstract is placed on a large rectangular Chicago Federal Plaza that is bordered by three Bauhaus style buildings. Alexander Calder is one of the most notable sculptors of the 20th-century American art. There is a small scale replica of the Flamingo in the Loop post office that was made specifically for the visually impaired. The model is reduced to one-tenth of the size of the original, and the visitor can touch and feel the shape of the design (The Flamingo [By Alexander Calder] 2016). “Calder Red” is characterized by the matte orange-red color and was often used by Calder on his various outdoor sculptures (Lodge and Lodge 2).Measurement and Proportion The overall dimensions of the artwork that was installed in 1974 measure as 53' high X 29' wide X 60' length (The Flamingo [By Alexander Calder] 2016). The sculpture carries monumental proportions in relation to human scale and the viewer can walk around and under because of its open design. It scales 53 feet into the air and weighs about 50 tons (Alexander Calder in Federal Plaza 1). Needless to say, the sculpture carries a gigantic scale that makes it visible from afar.Media and materials Calder built using mixed media kinetic toys and often used the same materials and techniques such as wire and wood that he used in his early days (Alexander Calder in Federal Plaza 1). His work has drawn attention from critics and the general public. He is best known for abstract art and mobiles type of sculpture. He devoted his time to large outdoor sculptures in his last years that often displayed abstracted life forms. Flamingo is made from materials and shares that align with the design principles of the architecture. This is what makes it enjoy successful integration within the plaza. It is made of steel, which is both painted and not. Industrial materials such as sheet metal and giant bolts raise the visual and material unity of the whole ensemble.The linear elements The sculpture’s bright color and rounded form contrast melodramatically with the glass surroundings and angular steel. The graceful curves and the vibrant color of the sculpture display a high contrast to the dark and blocky buildings that surround it. The sculpture looks robust and stable. The curvilinear lines go high and then slope down to create an abstract shape. The dominant linear elements are curving and give the sculpture an open silhouette. Geometries used Flamingo fits well with the surrounding environment and provides an immersive experience. One can see both curves and sharp edges in Flamingo. Those long curvilinear lines lean a shape, body, and energy to the sculpture. Those long curves, emanating from the ground, going up in space and then dropping gracefully to the other side, suggest an immense tension. It seems as if the sculpture if released of those firm holdings, will zip off and vibrate vigorously with huge dynamic movement. The sculptor has used simple lines and there are no complex geometries working here.Organization in 3D space The way Flamingo is raised and how it stoops down at the other end into flattened structure, causes it to consume much space. Still, there is no heavy look about the structure as it allows much moving space within it. The three-dimensional form of the sculpture looks both jagged and smooth. It carries a peculiar combination of the geometric and curves. Those different forms are organized well in space, giving the whole structure a balanced look. The surrounding space interpenetrates with the sculpture because of its openness and welcoming nature. It creates an illusion of space within it, no matter from what angle and perceptive it is looked at. The viewer is free to look at it from different points of view.The lightest and darkest light Various works of art use a range of visual elements and design principles to create art. The color is a strong element here, and the intensity of reddish-orange hue grabs your attention immediately. The use of the same color creates a sort of harmony in the entire sculpture, making it come across as one huge piece, thus giving it the appearance of oneness. However, the texture of the sculpture is smooth, hard and heavy as it is made of steel. The fabrication for Flamingo took place at Stephen Segre’s shop in Waterbury, Connecticut with the specification of a matte and red color from the artist. When the sculpture arrived in red lead primer. Calder found the paint too glossy (Lodge and Lodge 8). The artist’s approval of the fabrication was done in the shop before the final coating. The light falls on Flamingo and creates different areas of light and darkness at different times. The inner and underside of the work remains in darker shade of red because of the shadows, while the outer surface reflects the bright orange and red hue of the paint. However, there are no deep pockets of shadows.Sensory impressions Flamingo adds color and a sense of dynamism to its surroundings. The bold and bright "Calder red" color creates a sharp contrast to the dull buildings that surround it. The open design encourages the viewer to explore, touch and feel it. They can view the curious and strange sculpture from every angle and create endless possibilities for imagination. Whatever they may infer, the truth is that it Flamingo is a strong piece of public art. The unassailable greatness was meant to create the desired effect of a value in public art. It was meant to recapture the dimensions of aesthetic meaning by evoking a sensuality in sharp contrast to the dark geometry around.Mobility and manipulability Alexander Calder is known to create mobile sculpture, also known as kinetic art. However, the Flamingo is a stable art from the sculptor (The Flamingo [By Alexander Calder] 2016) as it is anchored to the ground. Thus, it would be difficult to carry the sculpture to any other place, or move it to the same location.Functional analysis The purpose Flamingo was behind was to create a better environment and a conspicuous milestone. The sculpture supports itself on small feet and leaves the whole plaza open to pedestrians. The explosion of red and steel do make the explosion of red and steel a bit strange. It seems that it belongs to the industrial landscape. Still, it does make a bright red spot among the dull soundings. It is simply hardy to ignore it as you pass by and the viewer is forced to go near and observe it from close. The artwork carries a new kind of abstractness that could be interpreted in different ways by the viewer. The work, intended for public viewing has gathered much attention from its audience and the art critics. Not all were happy with Flamingo, and many saw it a piece of junk. Other thought that it looked like a steel mosquito or a droopy tulip. It has often been described as a colossal spider, a drooping flower or a huge bird.Temporal extension Past Second World War, there was a construction boom, and it became common for the parks, plazas, airports and gardens to house modern public art. The sleek, steel-and-glass skyscrapers were complemented by the bold abstract forms of modernist sculptures. While the colossal sized sculptures puzzled many viewers, they also drew interest and admiration (Alexander Calder in Federal Plaza 5). The stable anchor of the abstract in vivid color and curvilinear form on the large rectangular plaza contrast dramatically with the angular steel and glass material of the surroundings. Because of the colossal size and color of Flamingo, it is clearly visible from afar. However, its view changes with different perspective. It is asymmetrically balanced and challenges the viewer to make his or her own interpretation of it. It could be a plan abstract or the abstract shape of an insect, plant or flower. What makes it special are its color and the abstractness plus its size. It looks like a bright red spot amidst the dull and boring industrial atmosphere. It adds life and adds an element of hope in our lives. You can walk inside and go words it, look at it from the sides or from under it. In other words, Calder offers complete freedom to his audience to interpret his work whichever way they want. They may dislike it or like it but will find it impossible to ignore it when they visit the Chicago Federal Plaza.
Works Cited
"Alexander Calder in Federal Plaza." Chicago Metro History Education Center 1.1 (2012): 1-6. Print.
Lodge, Robert G. and Lodge, Emmett W." Notes for a History of “Calder Red” Color and Its Paints in the United States In Relation To the Recoatings of Alexander Calder’s Flamingo (1973) And La Grande Vitesse (1969) And Other Calder Stabiles Robert G. Lodge." sculptureconservation 1.1 (n.d.): 1-32. Print.
McAvera, Brian." Public Art Strategies.” Sculpture magazine. 2001. Vol.20 No.7 Web. 6 March. 2016.
"The Flamingo [By Alexander Calder]." Chicago outdoor sculptures. 2016. Web. 1 March. 2016.
