Words from our Director, Acoris Andipa

What a splendid and meticulous presentation of sculptures, paintings and works on paper of the master Alberto Giacometti. Taking place in the unique, iconic swirls of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue, New York, the objects take on such different lives according to the perspective viewed from each floor up or down, as well as the sense of motion that takes place between the sculpture and building. Predominantly sourced from the Giacometti Foundation and superbly curated by the Guggenheim it is a show worthy of a plane ticket. Certainly not the largest in scale it is a thoughtful and pleasant journey from start to finish.

Within moments I felt the strong influences upon the artist - and having just enjoyed a private tour of the Egyptian rooms and Temple of Dandur at the Metropolitan Museum – I commented upon how strongly the sculptures drew from Egyptian objects, then only to be met with a vitrine of reference books on Egyptology doodled upon by Giacometti himself. Other influences from Africa and Oceania let alone Cycladic and Hellenistic are easy to see for all to enjoy.

This is an exhibition to be quietly enjoyed. There is little sign of sweeping curatorial or academic texts – in fact, the enticing morsels of wall texts with many of the exhibits leave you satisfied with a sense of contentment and honesty.

Until 12 September 2018.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 5th Avenue
(between 88th and 89th Streets)
New York