NEW YORK.- A free exhibition at the Cultural Services of the Embassy of France is celebrating French-American artistic exchanges through 19 years of Atelier Calder residencies. In this unprecedented program, an international artist is invited to live and work in Alexander Calder’s former home and studio in Saché, France, for a six-month period.

The Atelier Calder program testifies to the tremendous impact living in France had on Calder’s life and work. One art reviewer of the time noted, “Like the Statue of Liberty, Alexander Calder has become something of a monument to French-American rapport.”

The Atelier Calder, originally set up by the American artist’s friends and family, continues this vibrant tradition of artistic exchange to this day. Works by former Atelier Calder residents, such as Tara Donovan, Marina Abramovic and Los Carpinteros, are exhibited at the French Cultural Services, as well as several works by Lithuanian artist Zilvinas Kempinas, the 2007 recipient of the Calder Prize, and two of Calder’s famous mobiles. One of these hangs above a statue by Michelangelo, creating a fascinating juxtaposition.

All of these artists share one thing in common: they have benefited from the magic of Saché, finding inspiration in the beauty and tranquility of the French countryside. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 1pm-5pm on weekdays, until October 19.