Herzog & de Meuron’s gardens dedicated to Alexander Calder open in September

In collaboration with Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf, the first exhibition space entirely dedicated to Calder’s work will open this year under the direction of curator Juana Berrío.

From a collaboration formed between the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and landscape architect Piet Oudolf, an exhibition space dedicated to the art and ideas of Alexander Calder, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and a native of the same city, will open in downtown Philadelphia this September. Located between Vine Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, the 6,500-square-foot site will house a two-story building, half of which will be developed underground. Instead of developing the site as a typical museum, the team decided to turn the ground floor into a large garden, also open freely to city residents.

The idea to create the Calder Gardens — the first site entirely dedicated to Alexander Calder — began when Alexander S.C. Rower, Calder’s grandson and president of the Calder Foundation, met with landscape architect Oudolf, according to the New York Times. The site was never intended to become a museum for Calder, but rather a space for wandering and introspection.

The institution has also appointed Juana Berrío as Senior Director of Programs, who will lead public programming that connects the public with Calder’s work through performances, events, and wellness activities, fostering engagement and community in this innovative blend of art, nature, and architecture.Beginning January 21, 2025, Juana Berrío will draw on her extensive background in curatorial practice and arts programming to shape new public engagement initiatives for this new institution.

Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with Piet Oudolf, Calder Gardens, Philadephia, Pennsylvania, 2025. Image © Herzog & de Meuron. All artworks by Alexander Calder © 2022 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

“I am excited to join Calder Gardens, a unique space that integrates art, architecture, and nature to invite reflection,” says Juana Berrío. “I look forward to working with the team to design rich intersections between artistic and non-art practices, with diverse communities and between humans, flora and fauna. Calder's passion for interdisciplinary collaborations and experimentation in general provides a perfect context for Calder Gardens to become one of the most innovative and forward-thinking spaces for art and culture today.”

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