Starting with the 4th of April 2007 the Irish Museum of Modern Art will host in it's courtyard a joint exhibition of the works created by the famous Spanish painter and sculptor Joan Miro and those of Alexander Calder, one of the most distinguished American sculptors. The curators have chosen to present the wokrs of the two artists side by side bue to the close relationship that the two had, starting in the 20's and ending on Calder's death, in 1976. Miro and Calder have influenced and supported eachother over the years, yet in their creative universe there was also an Irish part, as both where very close to James Johnson Sweeney, a well known Irish-American museum director.
Joan Miro (1893 - 1983) was born in Barcelona, Spain, and played a key role in the development of Surrealist and Modern art, being a versatile, talented and extremely gifted artist. For more than seven decades he produced an astonishing number of varied works ,inspired by both memory an fantasy, being one of the most original artists of modern times. His paintings are easy to recognise due to the style and mostly for their bright, intense colours, combining detail and innocence. Miro was also drawn towards sculpture and in the 1960's - 1970's created most of his works, both painted sculpture and bronzes.
On the other hand Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976) is considered one of the most important and influential sculptors of the last century, after he had developed a new method of work, by bending and twisting wire. He created three-dimensional models in space, with abstract elements and moving harmony. Calder also produced several impressive outdoor sculptures, using bolted sheet steel, for public buildings and spaces. He also drew book illustrations and stage sets and in 1977 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin will be expecting the visitors of this exhibition between 4th of April - 30th of June 2007.
March 2007
