Cézanne & Giacometti
20 Feb - 29 Jun 2008
CÉZANNE & GIACOMETTI
"Art is hard work"
Paul Cézanne and Alberto Giacometti are two of the great figures in the history of art. The kind who wear their art on their sleeve, and who equate art with life – and hard work. Louisiana’s exhibition is the first ever to confront these two masters.
60 works by Cézanne - 110 by Giacometti
The Cézanne & Giacometti exhibition consists of masterpieces from collections and museums in most parts of the world: a whole 60 works by Cézanne and about twice as many by Giacometti. The visitor thus has a rare opportunity to experience the breadth and impact of their artistic legacy.
A new chapter
At the same time the exhibition adds a brand new chapter to our perception of both artists. Since Cézanne died when Giacometti was five years old, the connection is naturally one-way. But in Giacometti’s case it is also possible to look backwards. The exhibition shows Cézanne through Giacometti and is at one and the same time a step forward and a fold in time that brings new perceptions to both.
Doubt as the driving force
Neither Cézanne nor Giacometti was in any doubt that they were creating art of the highest carat. But doubt runs as a driving force throughout almost all the works exhibited. The many repetitions of subjects testify to hard work and to the fact that Cézanne & Giacometti were artists who recognized the limitations of their project, but also knew that they were creating great art even when they failed.
Three exhibitions in one
In reality this is one exhibition with three chapters: two retrospective chapters that offer a generous presentation of the life’s work of both artists – and then of course the chapter about that ‘&’, which is what the exhibition is really about. It is an ‘&’ that gives us an idea of how close the two artists’ attitudes to art actually are. They are both artists of the eye. And their art is primarily not about ideas or theories that have to be proven. It is about the senses, about transforming what you see and sense into images.
The exhibition has been organized by Poul Erik Tøjner, the director of Louisiana, and Dr. Felix Baumann, the former director of Kunsthaus Zürich and current president of the Alberto Giacometti Stiftung, Zürich.
Sponsors
THE AUGUSTINUS FOUNDATION has supported the exhibition.
DONG Energy is the principal sponsor of Louisiana’s exhibitions.
Realdania sponsors Louisiana’s architectural exhibitions.
"Art is hard work"
Paul Cézanne and Alberto Giacometti are two of the great figures in the history of art. The kind who wear their art on their sleeve, and who equate art with life – and hard work. Louisiana’s exhibition is the first ever to confront these two masters.
60 works by Cézanne - 110 by Giacometti
The Cézanne & Giacometti exhibition consists of masterpieces from collections and museums in most parts of the world: a whole 60 works by Cézanne and about twice as many by Giacometti. The visitor thus has a rare opportunity to experience the breadth and impact of their artistic legacy.
A new chapter
At the same time the exhibition adds a brand new chapter to our perception of both artists. Since Cézanne died when Giacometti was five years old, the connection is naturally one-way. But in Giacometti’s case it is also possible to look backwards. The exhibition shows Cézanne through Giacometti and is at one and the same time a step forward and a fold in time that brings new perceptions to both.
Doubt as the driving force
Neither Cézanne nor Giacometti was in any doubt that they were creating art of the highest carat. But doubt runs as a driving force throughout almost all the works exhibited. The many repetitions of subjects testify to hard work and to the fact that Cézanne & Giacometti were artists who recognized the limitations of their project, but also knew that they were creating great art even when they failed.
Three exhibitions in one
In reality this is one exhibition with three chapters: two retrospective chapters that offer a generous presentation of the life’s work of both artists – and then of course the chapter about that ‘&’, which is what the exhibition is really about. It is an ‘&’ that gives us an idea of how close the two artists’ attitudes to art actually are. They are both artists of the eye. And their art is primarily not about ideas or theories that have to be proven. It is about the senses, about transforming what you see and sense into images.
The exhibition has been organized by Poul Erik Tøjner, the director of Louisiana, and Dr. Felix Baumann, the former director of Kunsthaus Zürich and current president of the Alberto Giacometti Stiftung, Zürich.
Sponsors
THE AUGUSTINUS FOUNDATION has supported the exhibition.
DONG Energy is the principal sponsor of Louisiana’s exhibitions.
Realdania sponsors Louisiana’s architectural exhibitions.