GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This model of a McDonnell Douglas DC-8 airplane was painted by artist Alexander Calder to provide a paint scheme for Dallas-based Braniff Airlines' Flying Colors, a full-scale aircraft providing passenger service between North and South America. "Humor," the most colorful of the six schemes Calder created, was selected by Braniff, and the design was transferred by their paint crew to the actual aircraft, although Calder personally added additional whimsical details of stylized fish and "beasties" to the engine nacelles, which do not appear on this model. Braniff Chairman Harding Lawrence expressed his desire that the jet's travel would allow "millions of people to see an original Calder" and provide for a "happy combination of international travel, business, and the arts." The airline's name did not appear on the aircraft, only the giant signature of the artist.
Excerpt from
DMA, Label text [1973.103], Tower Gallery, 1989.
NOTES
Image asset catalogued in piction
Form Unformed audio asset marked NR in Piction
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 1974: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Braniff International [1], [2]
[1] See Dallas Art Association Acquisition Record, announced October 1973, transferred April 9, 1974
[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
13310560: UMO. Listen to a gallery talk in Form/Unformed given by Kevin W. Tucker, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design.
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
265936900: UMO. Advertisement for Braniff International featuring Richard Braniff and Calder model.
WEB RESOURCES
- AirlineTV.net~Click here to see a Calder design come to life.
- Guggenheim~See Calder airplane models hanging in the Guggenheim Museum.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1973.103.A-C
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General Description
This model of a McDonnell Douglas DC-8 airplane was painted by artist Alexander Calder to provide a paint scheme for Dallas-based Braniff Airlines' Flying Colors, a full-scale aircraft providing passenger service between North and South America. "Humor," the most colorful of the six schemes Calder created, was selected by Braniff, and the design was transferred by their paint crew to the actual aircraft, although Calder personally added additional whimsical details of stylized fish and "beasties" to the engine nacelles, which do not appear on this model. Braniff Chairman Harding Lawrence expressed his desire that the jet's travel would allow "millions of people to see an original Calder" and provide for a "happy combination of international travel, business, and the arts." The airline's name did not appear on the aircraft, only the giant signature of the artist.
Excerpt from
DMA, Label text [1973.103], Tower Gallery, 1989.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- AirlineTV.net~Click here to see a Calder design come to life.
- Guggenheim~See Calder airplane models hanging in the Guggenheim Museum.
Notes
Image asset catalogued in piction
Form Unformed audio asset marked NR in Piction
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 1974: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Braniff International [1], [2]
[1] See Dallas Art Association Acquisition Record, announced October 1973, transferred April 9, 1974
[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
13310560: UMO. Listen to a gallery talk in Form/Unformed given by Kevin W. Tucker, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design.
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
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Objects
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1973.103.A-C
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object_notes_2_d-0171.xml.nores