Alexander S. C. Rower

Alexander S. C. Rower is an American art historian, curator, and the founding president and chairman of the Calder Foundation, established in 1987. He is widely recognized as the preeminent authority on the life and work of his grandfather, the pioneering modern artist Alexander Calder. Through his stewardship of the foundation, Rower has been instrumental in preserving Calder's legacy, authenticating works, and facilitating major exhibitions and scholarly research globally.

Early life and education

Born in 1962 in New York City, Alexander S. C. Rower is a grandson of the renowned sculptor Alexander Calder and his wife, Louisa James Calder. He grew up immersed in the artistic milieu of his family, which included his father, Sandy Rower. He pursued his higher education at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, where he studied art history and developed a deep academic interest in modern art movements. His formative years were significantly influenced by direct exposure to his grandfather's innovative practices in kinetic art and modern sculpture, laying the groundwork for his future vocation.

Career at the Calder Foundation

In 1987, Rower founded the Calder Foundation in New York City, assuming the roles of president and chairman. The foundation's mission, under his leadership, is to collect, exhibit, preserve, and interpret the art and archives of Alexander Calder. A critical function of the foundation is the authentication of works attributed to Calder, a process overseen by Rower that involves meticulous research into the artist's extensive catalogue raisonné. He has collaborated with major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Tate Modern, and the Centre Pompidou on exhibitions and acquisitions. Rower also played a key role in the establishment of the Calder Museum project in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the artist's legacy.

Publications and exhibitions

Rower has authored and edited numerous definitive publications on Alexander Calder, contributing significantly to the scholarly understanding of the artist's oeuvre. Key works include the multivolume catalogue raisonné of Calder's sculptures and paintings, as well as exhibition catalogues for retrospectives at venues like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.. He has curated and co-curated major international exhibitions, such as "Calder: The Conquest of Time" at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and "Alexander Calder: Modern from the Start" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. His work often explores Calder's relationships with contemporaries like Joan Miró, Piet Mondrian, and Marcel Duchamp.

Personal life

Alexander S. C. Rower married artist Holton Rower in 1990. The couple has two children and resides in New York City. He maintains a relatively private life, with his public profile being predominantly defined by his professional dedication to the Calder Foundation and his grandfather's artistic estate. His personal commitment is reflected in his decades-long, hands-on management of one of the most significant single-artist foundations in the world.

Legacy and impact

Through his leadership of the Calder Foundation, Alexander S. C. Rower has had a profound impact on the preservation and interpretation of 20th-century modern art. He has ensured the integrity of Alexander Calder's body of work for future generations, influencing the art market, museum collections, and academic study. His efforts have solidified Calder's position within the canon of great modern artists alongside figures like Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore. Rower's legacy is that of a dedicated custodian who transformed familial stewardship into a globally recognized institutional authority, shaping the public understanding of kinetic art and American modernism.

Category:American art historians Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:People from New York City Category:Bard College alumni