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Construction of "La Grande Vitesse," at the Biemont Foundry. 8x10

 File — Box: 6, Folder: 5

Scope and Contents

From the Series:

The Photographs Series includes images of Calder's arrival in Grand Rapids, the dedication ceremonies, and other views from his visit to Grand Rapids along with other places in the U.S., during the original Vandenberg Center Sculpture Project time period of June 1969. Other views of Calder from other periods include those related to his Perls Gallery visit in 1967, visits to his studio in Sache, France in Spring 1969 [slides or prints from slides], his 1975 visit during the Calder-on-the-Roof project, and his work on the Braniff “Flying Colors” centennial airplane. Some images of Calder from or for printed sources are found in the collection, although documentation of the copyright and related sources is not always known.

Two interesting series of photos document the physical construction of the stabile La Grande Vitesse in France, and its subsequent erection and dedication in Grand Rapids, during 1969, as the culmination of the Vanderberg Center Sculpture Project.

Other photos in the collection document the Festival events at the Calder Plaza, La Grande Vitesse anniversary events, and other projects for the arts in which Mulnix has been involved.

Also included are color photos of a Calder stabile in Nancy, France, fund raisers with a Monopoly game theme, and Nancy Mulnix acting in Civic Theater productions.

Prints from some slides in Series X., as well as Fuji Pictography prints of some of the competition photos in Series XV., continue to be added to the collection, including those added during the preparation of the 2004 “La Grande Vitesse : Celebrating 35 Years on the Plaza” Exhibit. See also the separate holdings for that exhibit, for laser copies of select materials from the Mulnix Collection and other GRPL archival collections related to the original Calder project, used in that June to Dec. 2004 exhibit.

Dates

  • 1966 - 2009

Extent

From the Collection: 14 Linear Feet (24 boxes plus flat files)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497