New at the Art Center

It’s probably just a coincidence that “Song of the Thin Man” was a popular movie in 1947, when artist Alberto Giacometti created this slender fellow: L’homme au doigt (Man Pointing), seen as an expression of his existential view of humanity.

Two interesting new exhibits warrant a visit to the Des Moines Art Center, maybe two visits.

• First, Director Jeff Fleming plumbed the Art Center’s permanent collection for “Wild Life,” an exhibit of prints, drawings and sculptures that respond to nature and animals, plus images of humans. Artists include Francis Bacon, the Chapman Brothers, Rudd van Emple, Larry Fink. George Grosz, Rene Magritte and Emile Nolde. The showing continues through April 16 in the John Brady Print Gallery.

• Second, opening this Friday, Jan. 20, is an exhibit of work by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. His 1947 sculpture L’homme au doigt (Man Pointing), is regarded as a critical work in the Art Center’s collection and a seminal expression of the artist’s existential view of humanity in post-war Europe. This exhibition features the hauntingly intense figure alongside five of the artist’s works on paper, also from the museum’s holdings. Two loans from regional collections further enhance this exploration of one the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.This exhibit, in the Blank One Gallery, ends April 23 .