calder banners | free library of philadelphia

Four Alexander Calder banners were recently hung in the main hall of the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The series of eight banners, ranging from 18 to 28 feet in height, were commissioned in 1975 by Jack Wolgin as a part of the Redevelopment Authority’s percent-for-art program, for the Centre Square office complex.

calder banner

In a January 12th article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the display, Stephen Salisbury descibes the banners as “part of one of the greatest public art legacies in Philadelphia history” – which I thought was a pretty grand statement.

calder banner

calder banner

Despite having been intended for a high-rise’s office lobby, the imagery works surprising well for a public library. Without the banners, the entrance of the library is pretty grand, in a  city beautiful sort of way. The banners add vibrant color that makes the library entrance joyful – a desirable quality for a public institution.

alexander calder and mobiles | photographer: gordon parks | publication: life