La Grande Vitesse, Michigan, United States

4.0 (67 reviews) Spent Ranking #20 in Kent County Points of Interest & Landmarks

Iconic wonder!

Serving as a symbol of Grand Rapids, this eye-catching steel sculpture measures 54 feet long, 43 feet high and 30 feet wide, and is painted in the artist's signature "Calder Red."

Address

Calder Plaza Building, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2211

Current local date and time now

Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 0:32

User Ratings

4.0 based on (67 reviews)

Excellent
39%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%

Reviews

  • 4dadams6593 5:00 PM Mar 12, 2017
    Alexander Calder's Sculpture
    Commissioned around 1969, this sculpture "La Grande Vitesse", which translates to "high speed" has been a significant part of identity of Grand Rapids. Located on the "Calder Plaza" is surrounded by the City, County and Federal Buildings and is the back drop for the main stage for the annual "Festival of the Arts" every year the first Friday, Saturday & Sunday in June which celebrates live entertainment and all types of art, along with food booths that create food from around the world. On the east side near Ottawa Avenue, there's a miniature version with a description of the piece if you want to learn more about the sculpture. This sculpture can be seen on city street signs, city waste management trucks, and also "Art Prize", the largest art competition in the world at the end of September into October. It is also the finish line for the largest 25K event in the country in mid May. This May 13, with the the 40th year of that event. As an added bonus. If you go inside the city building during normal business hours and go to top floor, you can see another Calder piece painted on the roof of the county build just south of the city building.
  • 3Mechele A 5:00 PM Jun 30, 2019
    Interesting
    That's about all I can say … interesting. I guess it's a love it or hate it type of sculpture. The surrounding area is worth looking at while you're there.

See also