La Grand Vitesse film
Collection — Box: 6-A
Identifier: RHC-64
Collection Description
The documentary film produced by William Lawson, La Grande Vitesse: The Work of Alexander Calder, follows the unloading of the stabile pieces in Detroit, its construction in downtown Grand Rapids, Calder’s arrival in the city, and several interview pieces on Calder’s life and work. The collection contains 16mm film reels, an audio CD of interview and lecture material from Klaus Perls and Sweeney, and a DVD of the completed documentary. Records also include contracts for creating the film, correspondence, and drafts of treatment for the documentary.
Dates
- 1969-2009
Creator
- Lawson, William (Person)
Access to Materials
Collection is open for research use. Creator retains copyright. Collection is open for research use. Materials may be accessed by request at Special Collections and University Archives in Seidman House. Materials do not circulate.
Publication Rights
For information on copyright or permissions for this collection, contact Grand Valley State University Special Collections.
Administrative History
In 1969, Grand Valley State College student William Lawson proposed to produce a documentary short, in sound and color, of Dr. Alexander Calder and his sculpture, La Grande Vitesse, which was erected in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. In order to produce the film, Lawson worked with Grand Valley State College, Alexander Calder, Klaus Perls, Nancy Mulnix, Ross Roy Incorporated, and cinematographer Victor Duncan to fund the project, research the subject, and ultimately produce the film. The original film was expanded in 2009 in honor of the stabile’s fortieth anniversary to a fifty-seven minute program for Grand Valley State University’s Public Broadcast channel.
The sculpture itself was created by Calder in Paris using sheet metal, bolts, and orange paint. The stabile measures 43’ x 55’ x 25’.
The sculpture itself was created by Calder in Paris using sheet metal, bolts, and orange paint. The stabile measures 43’ x 55’ x 25’.
Extent
1.25 Linear feet (1 carton)
Source of Acquisition
Copies of the project acquired from the filmmaker and former Grand Valley student William Lawson ca. 2007.
- Calder, Alexander
- Documentary films Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Grand Rapids (Mich.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Grand Valley State University
- Lawson, William
- Michigan Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Public art Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Sculpture Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Creator
- Lawson, William (Person)
- Grand Valley State University (Organization)
- Title
- La Grand Vitesse film, RHC-64
- Author
- Special Collections & University Archives
- Date
- 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Valley State University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Contact:
Seidman House
1 Campus Drive
Allendale MI 49401 United States
616-331-8726
collections@gvsu.edu
Seidman House
1 Campus Drive
Allendale MI 49401 United States
616-331-8726
collections@gvsu.edu