Calders Wearable Art

Alexander Calder mobiles, yes. But, Calder jewelry? Absolutely. The artist’s jewelry is less well known, but Calder made lots of pieces, frequently keeping the creations in the family. Now, 90 of these “wearable mobiles” are on view at the San Diego Museum of Art, where they will remain until January 3, 2010. They are strikingly handsome. Calder hammered, chiseled, and shaped more than 1,800 pieces of jewelry in his lifetime, combining non-precious metals with brass, silver, and gold. Individual items were gifted to artists and artists’ spouses, with personal names sometimes worked into the decoration. The style of his jewelry echoes that of his sculptures. Pure Calder. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)    DARLENE G. DAVIES