Alexander Calder was one of the most innovative and original American

Question

Alexander Calder was one of the most innovative and original American artists of the twentieth century. Calder arrived in Paris in 1926 and devoted himself to a innovative project comprised of animals made out of wire, scraps of cloth, wood, cork, labels, bits of scrap metal and pieces of rubber that he called the Circus. During his performances, Calder invented ways to simulate the flight of birds: “These are little bits of white paper, with a hole and slight weight on each one, which flutter down several variously coiled thin steel wires which I jiggle so that they flutter down like doves.” The Circus was the laboratory of Calder’s work; in it he experimented with new formulas and techniques. By 1930, Calder's Circus had developed into one of the real successes of the Montparnasse art world attracting the attention of such renowned artists as Fernand Leger and Joan Miro. Encouragement from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene undoubtedly led him to try more serious experiments in wire sculptures.

Calder eventually becoming interested in the movement of objects, some of which he motorized. In 1933, Calder completed Object with Red Discs, a sculpture he described as a two-meter rod with a heavy sphere, suspended from the apex of a wire, giving it a cantilever effect. It had five thin aluminum discs projected at right angels from five wires, held in position by a spherical counterweight. With this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born. In creating a work named Constellations in 1943, Calder explored the plastic possibilities of mobiles; he used small pieces of wood, which he shaped and sometimes painted. From this point on, Calder’s ambition changed focus. He sought more challenging designs. One of Calder’s objectives was to display objects in the air, giving the viewer the experience of finding new skies filled with moving and colored constellations. Calder accomplished this in Acoustic Ceiling (1954). Calder’s humor was evident in such works as Le Bougnat (1959) and The Pagoda (1963). Later, Calder cut fantastic animals from sheet metal, creating La Vache and Elephant (both 1970) and a mobile entitled Nervous Wreck (1976), which represents the red skeleton of a fish.

Calder defined volume without mass and incorporated movement and time in art. His inventions, which redefined certain basic principles of sculpture, have established him as the most innovative sculptor of the twentieth century.    1 
 1. According to the passage, which of the following is an accurate statement about Object with Red Discs?

A. It was the first mobile created by Calder.
B. It was one of the many mobiles without motors created by Calder.
C. It was one of the many motorized mobiles created by Calder.
D. It was the first motorized mobile created by Calder.
E. It was the first of the many mobiles without motors created by Calder.

2 
 2. According to the passage, all of the following are characteristic of Calder’s work EXCEPT

A. Calder was known to infuse humor into some of his creation
B. Calder suspended objects from each other
C. Calder motorized some of his creations
D. Calder used materials such as metal, cloth, wood, rubber, cork
E. Calder suspended glass from thin metal wires to create a cantilever effect

3 
 3. The author’s attitude toward the mobiles of Alexander Calder is best described as

A. Hesitance
B. Detachment
C. Amusement
D. Admiration
E. Indifference

4 
 4. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following statement was true of the Parisian art scene?

A. The work of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro was influenced by that of Alexander Calder.
B. The work of Alexander Calder was influenced by that of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.
C. Fernand Leger and Joan Miro had earned success in the art world before Alexander Calder.
D. Alexander Calder had earned success in the art world before Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.
E. Calder’s Circus earned more accolades from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene than any other work in its time.

100mitra · Accepted Answer

RC # 11 Long passage: {12 mins 4/4 correct}

Paraphrasing:   
  Para 1:   Introduction to Alexander Calder, his enthusiasm in science field experiments of movement of objects by wire sculptures, attracted renowned artists to his projects/experiments.
  Para 2:  
  Calder Creative experiments/ projects and their creativity  
1.  Object with Red Discs (1933)  - this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born
2.  Constellations (1943)  - explored the plastic possibilities of mobiles
3.  Acoustic Ceiling (1954)  - the experience of finding new skies filled with moving and coloured constellations
4.  Le Bougnat (1959) and The Pagoda (1963)  - humour was Involved in above kind same projects or work
5.  La Vache and Elephant (both 1970)  – creating cut fantastic animals from sheet metal
6.  Nervous Wreck (1976)  - mobile entitled the red skeleton of a fish.
  Para 3:   Calder  defined  and  redefined  work have established him as the most innovative sculptor of the twentieth century.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is an accurate statement about Object with Red Discs?  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in Para 2: “In 1933, Calder completed Object with Red Discs, a sculpture he described as a two-meter rod with a heavy sphere, suspended from the apex of a wire, giving it a cantilever effect. It had five thin aluminum discs projected at right angles from five wires, held in position by a spherical counterweight.  With this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born ”
A. It was the  first mobile  created by Calder    - Correct  
B. It was one of the many mobiles  without motors  created by Calder   - Wrong  
C. It was one of the  many motorized  mobiles created by Calder   - Wrong  
D. It was the first  motorized  mobile created by Calder   - Wrong  
E. It was the first of the many mobiles  without motors  created by Calder   - Wrong

2. According to the passage, all of the following are characteristic of Calder’s work  EXCEPT   
A. Calder was known to infuse humor into some of his creation
  Mentioned  - Le Bougnat (1959) and The Pagoda (1963) - humour was Involved in above kind same projects or work

B. Calder suspended objects from each other
  Mentioned  - Calder eventually becoming interested in the movement of objects

C. Calder motorized some of his creations
  Mentioned  
1. Object with Red Discs (1933) - this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born
2. Constellations (1943) - explored the plastic possibilities of mobiles

D. Calder used materials such as metal, cloth, wood, rubber, cork
  Mentioned 
- Calder arrived in Paris in 1926 and devoted himself to a innovative project comprised of animals made out of wire, scraps of cloth, wood, cork, labels, bits of scrap metal and pieces of rubber that he called the Circus.

E. Calder suspended glass from thin metal wires to create a cantilever effect
  Not mentioned

3. The author’s attitude toward the mobiles of Alexander Calder is best described as  
A. Hesitance - State of being unsure   - Wrong  
B. Detachment - the state of being objective   - Wrong  
C. Amusement - the state or experience of finding something funny   - Wrong  
D.   Admiration – Respected - Correct  
E. Indifference – lack if interest    - Wrong

4. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following statement was true of the Parisian art scene?  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in passage, para 1, last line “ Encouragement from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene undoubtedly led him to try more serious experiments in wire sculptures ” stating upper echelons such as Fernand Leger and Joan Miro, who were already successful in art field, inspired Alexander Calder to do more creative experiments, experiments which made Calder successful

A. The work of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro was influenced by that of Alexander Calder
   - Wrong   No it’s the other way around of the scenario

B. The work of Alexander Calder was influenced by that of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro
   - Wrong   this information is correct, but one only get influence, if their work is apricated by one

C. Fernand Leger and Joan Miro had earned success in the art world before Alexander Calder.
  Correct: as mentioned in the passage, para 1, IInd last line “By 1930, Calder's Circus had developed into one of the real successes of the Montparnasse art world attracting the attention of such renowned artists as Fernand Leger and Joan Miro”

D. Alexander Calder had earned success in the art world before Fernand Leger and Joan Miro 
   - Wrong   No it’s the other way around of the scenario

E. Calder’s Circus earned more accolades from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene than any other work in its time
   - Wrong  Calder Circus appreciated, made Calder come in the eyes of upper echelons, and encouraged him to pursue more such improved experiments, which were later more appreciated.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. The author’s attitude toward the mobiles of Alexander Calder is best described as

Difficulty Level:   Easy

Explanation

This question is related to a specific text from the passage; don't hesitate to go back to read again the related text from the passage.

"In 1933, Calder completed Object with Red Discs, a sculpture he described as a two-meter rod with a heavy sphere, suspended from the apex of a wire, giving it a cantilever effect. It had five thin aluminum discs projected at right angels from five wires, held in position by a spherical counterweight. With this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born".

Now read the answer choices.

A. Hesitance

No word from the related text suggests such.

B. Detachment

This seems the opposite.

C. Amusement

Nothing from the passage suggest such

D. Admiration

Yes! This seems best among the available answer choices. The author presents only a positive criticism of Calder, stating that he is the most innovative sculptor of the twentieth century.

E. Indifference

This is also out.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following statement was true of the Parisian art scene?

Difficulty Level:   Easy

Explanation

It is a specific purpose question, so if you don't remember exactly the answer, you can read the related text again. This question belongs to paragraph 1; let's reread the text.

"Encouragement from the  upper echelons of the Parisian art  scene undoubtedly led him to try more serious experiments in wire sculptures."

Concentrate the text bolded from the above quote. Let's read the answer choices one by one.

A. The work of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro was influenced by that of Alexander Calder.

It is the opposite. Rather Alexander Calder was impressed by the work of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.

B. The work of Alexander Calder was influenced by that of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.

This could be a trap! Alexander Calder started some serious experiments by being impressed by the work of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.

C. Fernand Leger and Joan Miro had earned success in the art world before Alexander Calder.

This is perfect; read the above-quoted text and concentrate on the bold text especially.

D. Alexander Calder had earned success in the art world before Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.

Same as  (A)  it is the opposite.

E. Calder's Circus earned more accolades from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene than any other work in its time.

This option is trying to inject outside ideas and hence is out of scope.

Answer: C

HarsheenKaur · Answer

Pls explain why not option D in question 1

RohiniK · Answer

First sentence of of the second paragraph says Calder finally became interested in the movement of objects, some of which he motorized. 
Fourth sentence in the second paragraph - With this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born.

Neither first or the fourth sentence say that the creation was the first creation. 
Fourth sentence says the idea of mobile was born, which means it was the first mobile creation. Idea was born first but we do not know if Red Disc was motorized. 
First sentence says some of the objects created by Calder were motorized but doesn't say anything about which was the first motorized mobile object created.

I think by common knowledge we might think mobile means motorized. But there is no such evidence suggesting this in the passage. 
Hence, D is incorrect.

hientranzx · Answer

1. According to the passage, which of the following is an accurate statement about Object with Red Discs?

A. It was the first mobile created by Calder.
 CORRECT: With this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born. 
B. It was one of the many mobiles without motors created by Calder.
C. It was one of the many motorized mobiles created by Calder.
D. It was the first motorized mobile created by Calder.
E. It was the first of the many mobiles without motors created by Calder.

2. According to the passage, all of the following are characteristic of Calder’s work EXCEPT

A. Calder was known to infuse humor into some of his creation
Calder’s humor was evident in such works as Le Bougnat (1959) and The Pagoda (1963).
B. Calder suspended objects from each other
a sculpture he described as a two-meter rod with a heavy sphere, suspended from the apex of a wire
C. Calder motorized some of his creations
Calder defined volume without mass and incorporated movement and time in art. 
D. Calder used materials such as metal, cloth, wood, rubber, cork
 E. Calder suspended glass from thin metal wires to create a cantilever effect
CORRECT

3. The author’s attitude toward the mobiles of Alexander Calder is best described as

A. Hesitance
B. Detachment
C. Amusement
 D. Admiration
have established him as the most innovative sculptor of the twentieth century. 
E. Indifference

4. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following statement was true of the Parisian art scene?

A. The work of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro was influenced by that of Alexander Calder.
B. The work of Alexander Calder was influenced by that of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.
 C. Fernand Leger and Joan Miro had earned success in the art world before Alexander Calder.
CORRECT: renowned artists as Fernand Leger and Joan Miro 
D. Alexander Calder had earned success in the art world before Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.
E. Calder’s Circus earned more accolades from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene than any other work in its time.

duaraghav · Answer

3. The author’s attitude toward the mobiles of Alexander Calder is best described as

A. Hesitance
B. Detachment
C. Amusement
D. Admiration
E. Indifference

Isn't the question specific to one specific type of creation of Alexander Calder i.e. mobile. Since the author didn't make any commentary(positive or negative) that is specific to mobile, shouldn't  E. Indifference  be the answer ?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. According to the passage, which of the following is an accurate statement about Object with Red Discs?

Explanation

A.   The passage states that Object with Red Discs was completed by Calder in 1933. While it doesn't explicitly state that it was the first mobile created by Calder, it describes this sculpture as one of Calder's early explorations into mobile sculpture, marking the birth of the idea of the mobile. Given that it is mentioned as an early creation in the development of Calder's mobiles, it's reasonable to infer that it was among the first mobiles he created. Therefore,   option A   is correct.

B.  is incorrect because the passage doesn't specify whether Object with Red Discs had a motor or not. It describes the sculpture as having a cantilever effect with suspended elements, such as a heavy sphere and thin aluminum discs, but it doesn't mention anything about a motor. Therefore, there's no evidence to support option B.

C.  Similar to option B, there's no mention in the passage of Object with Red Discs being motorized.

D.  is also incorrect because, again, there's no indication in the passage that Object with Red Discs was motorized. The passage describes it as a sculpture with suspended elements, but it doesn't mention any motorization. Therefore, option D is unsupported.

E.  While the passage does describe Object with Red Discs as an early exploration into mobile sculpture by Calder, it doesn't explicitly state that it was the first of his mobiles without motors. Therefore, option E is incorrect.

Answer: A

Sneha2021 · Answer

GMATNinja   KarishmaB

4. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following statement was true of the Parisian art scene?

B. The work of Alexander Calder was influenced by that of Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.
C. Fernand Leger and Joan Miro had earned success in the art world before Alexander Calder.

Why B is incorrect? From the below lines "Encouragement from the upper echelons of the Parisian art scene undoubtedly led him to try more serious experiments in wire sculptures" , we can infer that Calder was influenced by Leger and Miro.

Thank you very much for your help.

GMATNinja · Answer

Yes, you could argue that Leger and Miro, by encouraging Calder, influenced him in a way. But it's probably a bit of a stretch to say that you are INFLUENCING someone's art simply by ENCOURAGING them.

Regardless, that's not what (B) says. (B) specifically says that the work of Calder was influenced by THE WORK of ("that of") Leger and Miro. And there's nothing at all in the passage suggesting that Calder's work was influenced by Leger or Miro's WORK.

So (C) is definitely the better choice.

I hope that helps!

jain67 · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja 
How to eliminate option C in question 3.
What is the difference between amusement and admiration in this context?

GMATNinja · Answer

Things we do for "amusement" are things that we do for fun, for entertainment, or for a "good time" -- things that give us joy, laughter, excitement, and so on. The author would probably agree that Calder's work has some amusing elements:

Watching a performance of The Circus was probaby very amusing.
 
 "Finding new skies filled with moving and colored constellations" sounds amusing too.
 
 Seeing Calder's humor in some of his works was likely amusing.

But the author isn't writing this passage simply to suggest that Calder's work was "fun" -- something you can enjoy for some kicks on a Friday night or for some fleeting pleasure. After describing Calder and his work (and the evolution of his work), the author takes a step back in the final paragraph to assess Calder's career:

"Calder  defined  volume without mass." If you're an artist who DEFINES something, then you are a master -- perhaps even THE master -- of that skill
 
 "  incorporated movement and time in art." That doesn't sound easy! The author is giving Calder credit for being able to pull this off in his art.
 
 "His inventions, which  redefined  certain  basic  principles of sculpture, have established him as  the most innovative sculptor of the twentieth century. " Calder REDEFINED the BASIC principles of sculpture. He didn't just show up and make some cool stuff -- he changed the game! Again, this suggests a level of mastery and achievement, which made Calder the MOST innovative sculptor of the 20th century.

This is all very high praise. Sure, Calder's work could likely be amusing at times, but the author pursued more "serious projects" too. More importantly, the author is trying to show us that Calder was an innovative master who defined and redefined elements of sculpture.

The author isn't simply amused. The author is IMPRESSED by Calder and his career, so "admiration" is a better choice.

I hope that helps!

anchitahuja · Answer

" With this new creation, the idea of the mobile was born. "

This does not mean it was the first mobile created. Why are we inferring this ?

Ex. " I built a two wheeler with a roof. With this new creation, the idea of the car was born. "

Does it mean, the two wheeler with a roof was a car ? No, right ?

And the question stem says - which of these is an accurate statement about -- , not " most likely to be true / may be true " etc so I went for 100% accuracy and rejected this choice.

How should we think about such cases ?

GMATNinja   GMATNinja Two  KarishmaB

KarishmaB · Answer

" mobile created by Calder" is common to all the options hence it means it is acceptable. 
 Unlike Quant, the "right" answer could be different as per the understanding of each test taker. Hence, the focus is on the 4 wrong options and hence the leftover "best" choice.

jonatasjun · Answer

I am 100% with you. The author clearly admires him, but when we talk specifically about MOBILE, I don’t think we can make such a claim.

Alexander Calder was one of the most innovative and original American

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Alexander Calder was one of the most innovative and original American

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