The Time of Giacometti1946-1966
As the year draws to a close, Toulouse is hosting an exceptional exhibition on the life and work of Alberto Giacometti, organised jointly by Les Abattoirs and the Giacometti Foundation. You'll be able to see his famous long-limbed sculptures, as well as paintings, engravings, photographs and archive documents. Not to be missed!
This autumn, immerse yourself in the world of Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti with this new exhibition at Les Abattoirs in Toulouse. It explores the last twenty years of his life, as he grew into a recognised artist, between 1946 (in the aftermath of the war) and his death in 1966.
This major immersive exhibition is structured around themed rooms: the artists, writers and philosophers with whom Giacometti associated (Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Genet...), the photographers who immortalised him, the galleries in which he exhibited…
The three masterpieces of the nave
As you enter the exhibition, in the nave of Les Abattoirs, you are greeted by three of Giacometti's masterpieces, his three favourite subjects: a Grande Femme, the famous Homme qui Marche II, and a Grande Tête. Commissioned by the public, the sculptures were intended to be presented as a group in front of the new Chase Manhattan Bank skyscraper in New York, before the project was abandoned.
A journey through time
In 1951, Alberto Giacometti held an exhibition at the Galerie Maeght in Paris. An exceptional "period room" (a room designed as a time capsule) allowed visitors to project themselves into the exhibition. At the time, Giacometti designed the exhibition's scenography and its poster. He even designed the plinths, tables and trays. The boundary between the work and the way it was presented became blurred. Here you can see his famous Cat, which seems to be exploring the venue.
Photographs that deconstruct clichés
Giacometti has always fascinated photographers, who have often immortalised him during his creative process and in the midst of his works. One room is devoted to photographs by two of them: Sabine Weiss and Jacques Nisberg. The latter's work, in colour, contrasts with the usual black-and-white shots of Giacometti's studio. It was, in fact, a very colourful studio, as evidenced by some of the works produced directly on its walls and exhibited in the adjoining room.
Around one hundred works
In all, around a hundred pieces are on display, including the famous La Cage and La Femme au chariot. One room is devoted to existentialism: Giacometti was close to Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir at the time. He then developed close ties with Jean Genet, as discussed in the next room. Less well known than his sculptures are the portraits painted by Giacometti, including the superb Têtes Noires series.
Finally, don't forget to visit the Picasso room: the artist behind L'Homme qui Marche was himself an avid night-walker in Paris. Against the backdrop of more than seventy lithographs produced during his outings, ten young contemporary video artists have reflected on "the art of walking". A one-hour video loop presents their work.
Practicalinformation
Exhibition "The Time of Giacometti, 1946-1966" from 22/09 to 21/01/24 at Les Abattoirs, Museum - Frac Occitanie.
Open Wednesday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm
Late-night opening every Thursday until 8pm
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm
Closed on 25th December and 1st January.
Price: €12/concessions €6 (children aged 13 to 17, students, late-night visitors)
Free: 1st Sunday of the month, children under 12.
Free admission with the Pass tourisme.
Abattoirs, Musée – Frac Occitanie Toulouse
76 allées Charles de Fitte, 31300 Toulouse
Metro line A station Saint-Cyprien République