Le Coureur qui ne Pouvait Pas

[cjsmith]

A year or so ago I saw a sculpture that instantly spoke to my heart. I had nerve tumors in my feet, causing enough pain to stop me from running, but this problem was probably not yet correctly diagnosed by that time. I had just missed Bay to Breakers and was sad about that. I went to Silicon Valley Open Studios to see the photography of my friend Joe Decker, and by chance I also got to see the work of sculptor Fabienne Bismuth.

There was a sculpture of a woman trying to run while her foot was trapped in a chunk of granite.

I went back to that sculpture over and over. She was me! The athlete who was immobilized, the runner who couldn't! Sadly, she cost a bundle, and I didn't have a bundle. I'd been out of work for a year (by choice, but still expensive) and needed to be careful with money.

A year later I still can't run. My left foot's improving but not healed, the right isn't improving at all, and I don't know why. For some reason I was reminded of the sculpture I'd seen. With Joe's help in identifying the artist, I went to look for a picture of it.

I about cried when I saw Le Coureur qui ne Pouvait Pas again. It's the same foot. It's her right foot that's stuck, just like me. And she hasn't given up.

I don't know if the sculpture is still available or how much it costs, but I've sent mail to ask. I'm going to be very damned tempted.

Comments

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

wow! Thanks for that link.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease don't outbid me on Le Coureur! (La Coureuse?)

Seriously though, I love her stuff. Some of it doesn't speak to me at all, but several do, and from one artist I find that's rare.

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

I have to buy some photographs before I can buy sculpture. Do not worry. (grin)

Besides, its my *knees* and they are doing better.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yay for happier knees! :-)

[lkeele.livejournal.com]

I love it when I can identify with a peice of art -- not enjoy it merely, but IDENTIFY.

If you can afford it, get it, get it! But if you can't, at least you know you're not alone in the world.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

not enjoy it merely, but IDENTIFY.

Absolutely! That's exactly the sort of thing I actually WOULD spend money on. That's something worth adopting, keeping, having in my home for years. I'd treasure it.

This is why I don't buy art much. When I do, I've *bonded*.

(In the case of this piece, even if my feet were healed tomorrow I'd still love it. It's what I've been through and it's what others I know are still going through. I've bonded.)

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

Really nice. I wonder if it has the same meaning to the artist?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I remember speaking to her about it. We didn't see it exactly the same, but close, if I remember correctly. I seem to recall the stone was more of a figurative obstacle than a literal one, for her, like maybe a woman who's focusing on childcare instead of marathons.

That's one of the things I find cool and nifty about art. It can have deep and poignant meaning for one viewer, little meaning for the next, and maybe neither one is what the artist originally had in mind.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

That's one of the things I find cool and nifty about art.

Dovetails in nicely with my opinions regarding communication that we've talked about before - that it doesn't matter what you say. What matters is what the perceiver gets. I create very little art with intent to throw some "deeper meaning" into it because of that belief. You've seen my photography. Someday I should show you some of my video - it's left entire groups speechless. :-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

What matters is what the perceiver gets.

Yeah -- that's what has actually come across, no matter what was intended. Ah, the joys and challenges that can ensue. :-)

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Wow. I've yet to have any sort of experience that personal from a work of art someone else who didn't even know me created. My own photographs, yes.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I think it's great. I'm itching to hear back from the artist!

[abenn.livejournal.com]

I feel for you. I get that looking at this sculpture is emotionally healing (by way of bringing up the feelings) for you. I hope you can get it.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

That's exactly it! Thank you for putting into words what I hadn't yet. Yes, I too hope I can get it.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

The other thing that's great is that the runner in the sculpture hasn't given up. She may never give up. And for all I know, one day she'll move, whether that rock is still there or not.

[vito-excalibur.livejournal.com]

"The Little Runner that Couldn't"? Jesus, that's brutal.

I can see why it would speak to you. And yeah, she doesn't look like she's giving up anytime soon, huh.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It sure is. Yet maybe she'll move that damn rock some day.

[allanh.livejournal.com]

It doesn't matter how much it costs. When something like that speaks to your heart ... listen. There's always a REASON it's speaking to your heart.

Hugs!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

When something like that speaks to your heart ... listen.

My thoughts exactly, barring gross financial irresponsibility. :)