Christian Boltanski uses found objects from everyday life in his shadow installations, his "lessons of darkness." His transformation of fragile and humble materials in art expresses his belief in the artist as magician and alchemist, as Golem-maker.
Boltanski is one of many artists who have been inspired by the ancient Jewish myth of the Golem, an artificial man. In general, the story of the Golem has emerged as an allegory of good versus evil and a symbol or man's relationship to God. For visual artists, the legend serves as a metaphor for their own struggles to create art.