In this blog post, I’ll share my experience of reflecting on the solitude of modern people and the human condition through Alberto Giacometti’s “Large Woman III.”
On a Saturday after a long, grueling exam period, I was weighed down by the pressure of having to go to the art museum as soon as my midterms were over. As someone who was usually a complete novice when it came to art, the idea of visiting an art museum alone was hard to imagine. However, my friends couldn’t go with me because their exams weren’t over yet, so I ended up visiting the Leeum Museum of Art in Hannam-dong by myself.
Although I was studying art, my steps toward the museum were far from light. My body felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and the fact that I didn’t have a single friend by my side to talk to made me feel even lonelier. Still, as someone studying art, I wanted to appreciate the works as deeply as possible, so I rented an audio guide. But no matter how good the commentary was, it couldn’t replace a friend to share the experience with.
The atmosphere at the art museum was like strolling through a park. The spacious, relaxed setting—like a villa nestled in the middle of a residential neighborhood—was perfectly suited for appreciating art. Everything, from small chairs to large sculptures, felt fresh and seemed almost like objects from another world. The unique aura emanating from the artworks created a breathtaking sense of tension, while the soft lighting and gentle music provided a contrasting sense of comfort. A diverse range of works was on display, from understated Eastern paintings to intense Western works, and from modern to classical art. Every time I came face-to-face with artists and their masterpieces—such as Lee Ufan’s “Bull” and the mobile that moved in perfect balance—that I had previously only seen in art books, I felt the joy of learning.
Finally, I entered the contemporary art gallery—the main reason for my visit. Among the many works, the sculpture displayed toward the back immediately captured my attention. It was Alberto Giacometti’s ‘Large Woman III’ (1960). Unlike the other pieces, this work felt particularly special, perhaps because of the spatial quality inherent in the medium of sculpture. Unlike paintings on a flat surface, sculpture has the power to let you experience space alongside the artwork. However, this sculpture by Giacometti possessed a peculiar charm that held my gaze the more I looked at it. I was particularly struck when the audio guide explained that this work expresses the loneliness and desolation of modern people.
The first thing that caught my eye was the form, which evoked ancient African and Egyptian sculptures. The emaciated torso and limbs—which at first glance resembled matchsticks—the arms pressed tightly against the body, and the legs fused together as if they were a single unit presented such a simple, abstract form, stripped of all ornamentation, that it was hard to believe this was a modern sculpture.
Furthermore, the fact that the subject of the work was a woman rather than a man made this image even more striking. Rather than the typical female figure symbolizing abundance, beauty, warmth, or sensuality, the sculpture’s spindly limbs—which seemed to consist of nothing but bones—its body with almost no volume, and the texture of the cold, oxidized bronze evoked a chilling atmosphere. Combined with the soft lighting that gently enveloped the work rather than shining directly on it, this deepened the sense of coldness and solitude.
Although the colossal sculpture, standing over 230 cm tall, clearly depicted a human figure, it gave viewers a sense of alienation, as if they were facing a being other than a person. In particular, her gaze fixed on the distance and her upright posture seemed to symbolize the modern individual who isolates and separates themselves from the world, regardless of whether there are many or few people around. At first glance, it brought to mind a scarecrow standing alone in a field; however, unlike a scarecrow that plays its own role among the field’s owner and the birds, the only things surrounding the sculpture were an explanatory plaque, lighting, and a safety barrier encircling the work. It felt as though the figure had imprisoned itself within its own space.
As interpreted in the statement, “The slender, elongated rigidity seen in Giacometti’s figures reflects the fate of modern people—‘anxiety and loneliness’,” this sculpture, created in 1960, still resembles modern people today. Although we now live in a far more socially and materially affluent environment than in the past, anxiety and loneliness remain significant psychological issues faced by modern people. In fact, today—when digital technology and social media have become part of everyday life—while connections have increased, deep relationships have diminished, and loneliness and isolation are being discussed as even more significant social issues.
People living in the modern world greet one another, communicate via smartphones, meet up, and share love. That is why it is often said that “humans are social animals.” At the same time, it is also said that “humans are fundamentally solitary beings.” This may refer to human nature, in which living within society paradoxically leads to experiences of alienation, emotional distance, and a lack of meaningful relationships. Since the Industrial Revolution, individual lives have become increasingly important, and there has been a strong tendency to prioritize personal goals over the community; today, this trend toward individualization has intensified alongside the spread of the digital environment. Amid these historical changes, the loneliness of modern people remains a significant topic of discussion. And the work that most powerfully conveyed this theme was Giacometti’s ‘Large Woman III’. The reason I resonated so deeply with this piece was likely because of that very feeling of loneliness. The loneliness I felt while walking alone through the museum and the sense of alienation from the moment when my friends couldn’t be there with me seemed to connect naturally through this sculpture.
It’s been some time since I visited the museum, but just looking at a photo of “Large Woman III” brings back the atmosphere and emotions the sculpture conveyed to me then. Is it because the experience that day was so intense? Or is it because the sense of loneliness that still lingers within me resonates with the work once again? Or perhaps it’s because it reminds me of how I live my life, looking only straight ahead rather than taking in my surroundings. I find myself thinking that if I don’t pay a little more attention to those around me and learn to live together with them, I, too, might one day end up standing alone like that sculpture. Perhaps, through this work, Giacometti didn’t just want to depict human loneliness—perhaps he also wanted to convey a quiet message urging us to reach out to one another a little more. He likely hoped that people, upon seeing this work, would reflect on their own loneliness while also not remaining trapped within it.
