Surprised by how different Giacometti's brother's style is from his own [Matsuoka Museum of Art] [Cat Waiter]

The other day, I went to the Matsuoka Museum of Art in Shirokanedai for the first time. It was a wonderful, incredibly quiet place where I could immerse myself in the collection with a clear mind, but this piece in the first-floor lobby really caught my eye. ↓

So cute. A cat head waiter standing there perkily. Though, rather than a head waiter, it also looks a bit like a child just quietly waiting for their school lunch to be served.

I was surprised when I looked at the artist of this sculpture: "Diego Giacometti"...? Alberto Giacometti's brother? And only one year apart!? My brain was genuinely confused for a few dozen seconds because of the extreme difference in style. The two people who created those human figures—which are like lumps of philosophy that push the concept of "existence" to the limit—and this simply cute, well-behaved cat statue are brothers??

In Tokyo, Giacometti's works are mainly seen at the Artizon Museum. Honestly, I had never even thought about him having a brother. I thought he was an only child! Plus, I always thought of him as an artist and philosopher who was always overthinking, worrying, and very tired.

I like to imagine that the younger brother sent the cat to bring soup to soothe the fatigue of his older brother, who would lean too far into his work. A devoted, selfless, and ultimately cute cat.

Since this was my first time seeing Diego's sculptures, I can't say for sure, but if there is one thing in common between the figures the two created, it might be that they are standing upright. Needless to say, the cat is, and the older brother's human figures, while tattered and thin, never slump like Rodin's sculptures; they are firmly self-reliant and standing upright. That's why I feel the strength of the human heart in them.

Looking at the cat again, it has a firm, smiling, confident expression, and its posture—standing straight with its back arched—is truly strong and, in the end, cute. It seems Diego's range also included furniture design, so that stylish sense must be showing in this cat as well.

↑ It seems there are a few busts of Diego made by his older brother, and they are very dapper, stylish, and cool. It's hard to believe he created that cat. Why are their styles so different? I can't help but feel that their lives and roots are peeking through, just my own assumption!!!

The first floor of the Matsuoka Museum of Art is full of other interesting modern and contemporary Western sculptures. Greeting you at the front of the lobby is a mother worrying about shopping, by Bourdelle.

And when you enter the exhibition room on the right, it's the Henry Moore and Emilio Greco room. With Greco's strange-haired human sculptures and Moore's super-abstracted giant Madonna and Child and cute horse statues, it's highly recommended because the museum is very quiet, allowing you to really get lost in the mysterious space created by the works. ↓