Giacometti / Fondation Beyeler

The summer exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen near Basel, Switzerland, is devoted to the Swiss sculptor, painter and draftsman Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966). During his Paris years, Alberto Giacometti became one of the most influential protagonists of modern art. He is best known for his seemingly fragile figures in which the human form is reduced to the essentials.

On display are about 150 major works from every phase of Alberto Giacometti’s career. In addition, the exhibition includes works by other artistically active members of the Giacometti family: Giacometti’s father, Giovanni, his brother, Diego, and his uncle, Augusto. On view are sculptures, paintings, drawings, and design objects from the family holdings, private collections, and renowned museums around the world.

The exhibition begins in the foyer with a seldom-seen, complete presentation of all nine versions of Femmes de Venise, created by Alberto Giacometti for the Venice Biennale in 1956. Among the other important pieces on display are Boule suspendue (Suspended Ball, 1930/31), La main (The Hand, 1947), Le chariot (The Chariot, 1950), Le chien (The Dog, 1951), Grande tíªte de Diego (Large Head of Diego, 1954), and Homme qui marche II (Walking Man II). One room is dedicated solely to a single tiny sculpture, Petit homme sur socle (1940-41).

The exhibition was curated by Ulf Küster and organized in collaboration with the Alberto Giacometti Foundation, Zurich, and the Fondation Alberto et Annette Giacometti, Paris. The exhibition runs until October 11, 2009.

Giacometti, Fondation Beyeler, Riehen, Switzerland. Opening reception, May 30, 2009.

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