'Kindred Spirits: Joan Miró and Alexander Calder'

Opera Gallery New York

02 May - 08 June 2024

'Kindred Spirits: Joan Miró and Alexander Calder' explores the profound friendship and artistic exchange between two pioneering modern artists. The fortuitous pair met in Paris in 1928 and bonded over their shared love for art and creativity, despite language barriers—Calder was American, and Miró was Catalan. Their friendship endured for nearly half a century until Calder's death in 1976. They exchanged artworks and visited each other in various locations, fostering a deep mutual admiration and understanding that transcended cultural differences.

Miró initially held greater artistic prominence, showcasing remarkable canvases in the 1920s that blended whimsy with inventive imagery. Meanwhile, Calder's artistic evolution was measured, influenced by his engineering background and childhood fascination with transforming everyday objects into art.

Despite their different backgrounds and creative approaches, both artists shared a visual language rooted in shape and color, displaying mastery in various artistic mediums—from sculpture and painting to printmaking and set design.

This exhibition illustrates the enduring friendship and artistic dialogue between Calder and Miró, tracing their parallel journeys through the evolution of modern art during the second half of the 20th Century. Their shared experiences and creative exchanges underscore the profound impact they had on each other's work, shaping the course of art history and leaving behind a legacy of innovation and imagination.

Alexander Calder and Joan Miró at the opening of the retrospective of Alexander Calder at Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de- Vence, France, 3 April 1963. Photograph courtesy of Bridgeman Images.