With a docent guiding them, the participating church leaders contemplated the artworks with appreciation. Giacometti, who grew up in a Christian family, received considerable inspiration from Christianity, including from Matthias Grunewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece. Giacometti was deeply moved by the gaze of the risen Jesus in Grunewald’s painting, and wished to become such an artist, expressing eternity.
When they finally entered the Room for Meditation (top photo), where the original plaster cast of “The Walking Man” (1960) is presented, the participants seemed deeply impressed. In the dark room is the tall, thin, withered figure of a person with abnormally long arms and legs. The figure, precariously upright, is taking a big step forward. Though it looks as if it may collapse any moment, its eyes show strong resolution. The docent explained, “This is the portrait of the Europeans and the entire human race after World War II. The artist expressed in the Walking Man that although we humans undergo suffering and hardships, we should never give up but keep on walking forward despite our destiny of death.”
The special exhibition is jointly sponsored by Fondation Giacometti (France) and Kukmin Daily in commemoration of Kukmin Daily’s 30th anniversary, and was organized by Covana Contents.
Reporter Lee Saya, Jang Chang-Il, & Choi Ki-young (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Top photo by reporter Kim Ji-hun
Full Story in Korean:
“절망 속 내디딘 한걸음… 작품 속 희망을 보았다”: 본보 ‘자코메티展’ 교계 초청행사
Related Article in Korean:
자코메티와 기독교 사상… 십자가와 인간의 한계 묵상케 하는 걸작들: 크리스천 가풍서 성장하고 죽음과 구원에 천착한 작가
