Exactly one hundred years ago, the American artist Alexander Calder (1898–1976) left the United States for France. To mark this anniversary, the Centre Pompidou and the Region Centre-Val de Loire are joining forces to organise an event on an exceptional scale.

During the 1930s, Calder established himself as one of the foremost modern sculptors of his era, renowned for his mobiles, suspended sculptures in perpetual motion. Calder maintained a deep affection for France throughout his life, eventually settling in 1953 in the village of Saché, in Touraine, where he purchased a house named François 1er. A decade later, in 1963, he built a spacious studio at Le Carroi, perched above the Indre Valley. There, in collaboration with Etablissements Biémont in Tours, he conceived and assembled many of his stabiles – his signature monumental sculptures composed of riveted sheet metal.

The exhibition trail spans the region, encompassing fifteen cultural venues, historic monuments, museums and art centres. Each exhibition offers visitors the chance to discover a facet of Calder’s art, from sculpture and drawing to decorative arts and grand-scale masterpieces that reflect the character of their setting. This region-wide celebration underscores the vital role played in Calder’s artistic journey by central France – a place where he was free to unleash his creativity and flourish artistically.

To mark the occasion, the CCC OD is exhibiting in the nave two mobiles and one free-standing sculpture created by the artist between 1940 and 1950.

Curators:

• Ariane Coulondre: Curator, Modern Collections Department – Musée national d’Art Moderne
• Alfred Pacquement: Honorary Director of the Centre Pompidou – Musée national d’Art Moderne
• Jessica Watson: Art historian, Centre Pompidou – Musée national d’Art Moderne

An exhibition organised as part of the AR(t]CHIPEL 2026 festival.

With the support of the Calder Foundation and the Fondation Louis Vuitton.