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.

[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.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!