via http://www.forestparkstatues.org/
Beyond its magnificent natural spaces, cultural institutions and beloved destinations, Forest Park is home to a remarkable collection of statues, monuments and artworks positioned across the Park’s 1,371 acres. Together, these works tell a rich history of our region and provide Park visitors with a unique way to enjoy and learn about their surroundings.
Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E.
President & Executive Director, Forest Park Forever
TEXTE INTÉGRAL
Born Chaim Jacob Lipchitz in 1891 in Lithuania, the sculptor of Joie de Vivre changed his name to Jacques Lipchitz when he moved to Paris to study art in 1909. There, he was an integral part of the avant-garde group that included Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani and Juan Gris.
Joie de Vivre (Joy of Life) was created in 1927 when Lipchitz was moving away from Cubism and adopting the more open form embodied in this bronze sculpture, with its ribbon-like contours and pierced spaces. The sculpture, one of seven casts, was a gift of Mrs. Mark C. Steinberg, who had previously donated the funds for Steinberg Skating Rink, where the sculpture has been displayed since 1962.
The inspiration for the piece was Lipchitz’s sister, who was in ill health. He hoped to encourage her to cling fast to life by creating a representation of the joy of existence. For as he once said, “Art is an action against death. It is a denial of death.”
Auteure/Auteur: Felix Meyer Traduction: André Naon
TRACES DE FRANCE 