La Grande Voile, Steel sculpture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, US
La Grande Voile is a black painted steel sculpture with angular geometric forms standing in MIT's McDermott Court. The structure consists of large metal plates arranged to create different profiles depending on where you view it from.
Alexander Calder created this work in 1965 when universities were beginning to commission large-scale public art for their campuses. The piece emerged during a period when educational institutions increasingly valued art as part of their environments.
The sculpture became part of MIT's effort to weave art into campus life, demonstrating how visual works complement scientific spaces. Visitors see daily how this piece shapes the courtyard and invites people to pause and observe.
The sculpture is accessible year-round in McDermott Court and can be photographed at any time. Morning light works best for capturing the forms and shadows that define the piece.
The black steel plates cast shifting shadows throughout the day that transform the concrete ground beneath the sculpture. This natural effect makes the piece feel like a different work depending on what time you visit.
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