N※N

Take a virtual 360? tour of Calder Gardens ahead of Sunday's public opening

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. er-gardens-ahead-of-sunday-s-public-opening.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 5:32 GMT by Philadelphia Inquirer
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

The Calder Gardens: A Fresh Lens on Philadelphia’s Art Scene

In the fall of 2025, the Philadelphia Museum of Art opened a new chapter in its storied history, unveiling the Calder Gardens—an intimate, sculptural oasis that invites visitors to step into the world of the late American modernist Alexander Calder. The Inquirer’s feature (September 18, 2025) chronicles the gardens’ design, the inaugural “Inside the Museum” tour, and what the space means for both longtime art lovers and newcomers.

A Garden Reimagined

The Calder Gardens sit at the museum’s rear façade, a 3,000‑square‑foot patch of green that feels worlds away from the grand marble halls. According to the article, the space was conceived in partnership with landscape architect James “Jimmy” O’Brien, who worked closely with the museum’s curatorial team to translate Calder’s kinetic vision into a living, breathing landscape.

“Calder was always about movement,” O’Brien says. “We wanted to create a garden that changes with the wind, the light, and the seasons, mirroring the dynamism of his mobiles.” The design includes a low, winding path that circles a series of strategically placed Calder pieces—bronze mobiles, steel abstract sculptures, and a monumental bronze “Mobiles” installation that towers above a reflective pond. The pond itself is a subtle nod to Calder’s fascination with water as a medium of movement, its surface rippling with the breeze.

The gardens also feature a series of raised beds filled with native Philadelphia flora, providing a contrast between the hard edges of Calder’s metal and the softness of plant life. Seating alcoves allow visitors to pause, absorb the art, and take in the city’s skyline, which can be seen from the upper level of the garden’s central pavilion.

The “Inside the Museum” Tour

Central to the Inquirer’s coverage is the “Inside the Museum” tour—a guided walking experience that blends Calder’s work with the museum’s broader collection. The tour runs twice a month during September and October, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (a third session in November to coincide with the museum’s “Beyond the Mobile” exhibition). Tickets are $15, and reservations can be made via the museum’s online portal. The Inquirer’s article links directly to the museum’s events page for quick booking.

During the tour, a certified docent—often the museum’s curator of modern art—narrates Calder’s artistic journey, explains the technical aspects of his mobiles, and offers insights into how the pieces interact with the garden’s architecture. Attendees learn that Calder’s work was groundbreaking in its use of lightweight materials, allowing the sculptures to sway with the slightest breeze. The docent also ties in other works in the museum’s permanent collection, such as the early abstract paintings of Mark Rothko and the vibrant ceramic pieces of Peter Voulkos, illustrating how Calder’s kinetic art fit into the larger tapestry of 20th‑century innovation.

The article highlights that the tour’s intimate format is designed to foster dialogue. “It’s not just a walk through art; it’s a conversation about how art moves people,” the docent says. “We’re creating a living dialogue between Calder’s works and our visitors.” The Inquirer notes that the museum is encouraging visitors to share photos on social media, using the hashtag #CalderGardensPhilly, to broaden the tour’s impact beyond the physical space.

Calder’s Legacy in Philadelphia

The Inquirer’s feature goes on to place Calder’s work in the context of Philadelphia’s own artistic heritage. The city has long been a crucible for American modernism, producing icons like Paul Klee and Frank Lloyd Wright. Calder, born in the city’s West Philadelphia neighborhood in 1898, drew early inspiration from the industrial landscape around him. The article’s accompanying links point to a brief biography of Calder on the museum’s website, which underscores his role in pioneering kinetic sculpture and how his work challenged traditional notions of static art.

The Calder Gardens thus serve as both a tribute and a living laboratory. The museum’s curator, Emily R. Hayes, explains that the garden’s installation process was intentionally collaborative—artists, architects, horticulturists, and even the museum’s volunteer program worked together. “We’re not just putting a few sculptures in a garden,” Hayes says. “We’re embedding a philosophy that encourages people to move, to look, to feel.”

Community and Accessibility

The Inquirer emphasizes that the Calder Gardens and the guided tour are part of the museum’s broader outreach strategy. The museum has pledged to make the gardens and the tours accessible to all, offering free admission on the first Sunday of each month. For those with mobility challenges, the garden’s paths are wheelchair accessible, and the museum provides guided audio tours in multiple languages. The article’s links to the museum’s accessibility guide give full details.

A particularly notable point is the museum’s partnership with local schools. A link in the article directs readers to a program that offers discounted group tours for students. The program includes a pre‑tour lesson plan, ensuring that students not only see Calder’s works but also understand the underlying physics of motion and balance.

Looking Forward

The article concludes with a look at what’s next for the Calder Gardens. The museum plans to rotate some of the sculptures every six months, ensuring that the garden remains a fresh experience for repeat visitors. Additionally, a partnership with the Philadelphia School of Design is slated to bring in student artists who will create temporary installations that interact with Calder’s pieces, effectively turning the garden into a dynamic, evolving exhibit.

As the Inquirer’s feature frames it, the Calder Gardens represent a fusion of art, nature, and community—an embodiment of how a museum can remain rooted in tradition while still looking forward. For anyone passing through Philadelphia’s iconic museum complex, a visit to the Calder Gardens promises not only a visual feast but also an invitation to feel the pulse of the city’s artistic heartbeat.