Yes, The Calder Plaza Red Statue Has An Actual Name

Calder Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids is an awesome place for festivals like GR Pride, flea markets, and other community events. The stage has been used for concerts and political rallies. But while plenty of different things take place at Calder Plaza, there is one constant: the big red...thing. 

Now, I mean no disrespect to that sculpture. It is an essential part of Grand Rapids and is featured in the city's official insignia. But as someone who grew up here and has been to Calder Plaza plenty of times, I, to this day, do not know the name of the structure. So I've come to do us all a favor and settle the debate once and for all.

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"That Big Red Thing"

It seems I am not alone, either. When I went on Reddit to see if I was the only one who had somehow missed the name of Grand Rapids' most iconic structure, I came across this Reddit thread that was both validating and hilarious.

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The "big red thing" in question is titled La Grande Vitesse (translated to 'the great swiftness') by Alexander Calder. The sculpture's dimensions are 43 feet high, 55 feet long, and 25 feet wide, and it weighs 42 tons. It was installed in 1969. Colloquially, people have come to call the sculpture "The Calder" in association with the plaza it sits at.

In total, the project cost $128,000, with $45,000 granted to the city from The Arts Endowment and the additional $83,000 raised by Nancy Mulnix and her committee, who came up with the idea of an art installation being placed near City Hall in 1967. Over the years, the structure has been repainted multiple times. Many credit this structure with the city's emphasis and appreciation for art around the city.

Calder Plaza Redesign

Calder Plaza, where the La Grande Vitesse is installed, will be seeing a major redesign in 2026, coinciding with other repairs to the parking ramp underneath. In its current state, Calder Plaza is just an open space of concrete, which is great for hosting events but doesn't offer much in the form of flavor outside of that.

The goal of this revamp, according to Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., is to:

• Leverage the plaza to its fullest potential.
• Establish a world-class public space.
• Honor the plaza’s cultural heritage.
• Improve access and mobility.
• Embrace the plaza’s historic role as a governmental plaza.
• Activate the plaza during all seasons.
• Catalyze future development.
• Provide iconic experiences for current and future generations.

The construction is expected to take 3-4 months.