Art to Read

Space, Figure, Time

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Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) was the son of the Swiss painter Giovanni Giacometti. Born and raised in Val Bregaglia, after 1922 he lived primarily inParis following studies in Geneva and Rome. He created a stir among the Surrealists in the thirties, and was active as a lamp and vase designer. He developed his noted late work, extremely thin bronze figures symbolic of human existence, during and after World War II. Extremely self-critical, he consistently attempted to fathom the outer appearance and inner essence of the human being in its relationship to himself as a sculptor, painter, and draftsman. The idea that space and time were as one was central to his concept: the depiction of movement, but also the movement of the viewer, is linked to the period of time in which it occurs as well as the space it transverses.This volume from the series Art to Read is an outstanding introduction to the life and work of this important and simultaneously puzzling artist, one who decisively influenced our understanding of sculpture in space. (German edition ISBN 978-3-7757-2372-5)Exhibition schedule: Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, May 31-October 11, 2009In conjunction with this exhibition a catalogue (German edition ISBN 978-3-7757-2348-0; English edition ISBN 978-3-7757-2349-7) and an audio guide in the Art to Hear series (German edition ISBN 978-3-7757-2392-3) are also available.