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Charlotte Perriand et le Japon
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Published: January 29 2012

Charlotte Perriand: Chaise longue basculante, 1941, réplique fabriquée par Cassina en1985 Copyrights Archives Charlotte Perriand - ADAGP, Paris & SPDA, Tokyo, 2011

The French Woman Who Loved Japanese Culture and Created a New Trend in Design: Tracing the Life and Work of the Architect and Designer Charlotte Perriand

After her work Bar sous le toit received widespread acclaim when it was shown in 1927 at the Salon d’automne, Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) joined Le Corbusier's studio. Then, alongside works by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, she displayed a proposal for the new type of house called Equipement intérieur d’une habitation, which made use of new materials such as steel, aluminum, and glass.

In 1940, on the recommendation of Sakakura Junzo, with whom she had worked at Le Corbusier's studio, Perriand made her first visit to Japan as an industrial art advisor appointed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Assigned to provide guidance and help improve handicrafts for the foreign market, Perriand traveled all over the country with Yanagi Sori, advising young researchers at the industrial arts center in Sendai and elsewhere on the use of various materials and designs.

Developing relationships with Yanagi Soetsu, Kawai Kanjiro and other Mingei advocates during her stay, Perriand's sympathy with the ideas of the movement prompted her attempts to combine traditional regional designs and techniques with a contemporary sensibility. One product of this effort was her work Chaise longue basculante en bambou, which was shown at the Exposition Contribution à l’Equipement de l’Habitation. Japon 2601 – Sélection, Tradition, Création. Perriand's other proposals for rational and contemporary design using materials such as bamboo and wood also proved to be deeply inspiring to Japan artists, and led to the emergence of distinct trends in postwar design, the effects of which continue to be apparent today.Perriand made a return visit to Japan in 1953, and the Exposition Proposition d’une Synthèse des Arts, Paris 1955: Le Corbusier, Fernand Léger, Charlotte Perriand was held in Tokyo in 1955. With works such as Chaise Ombre, a chair inspired by bunraku, and Bibliothèque Nuage, based on staggered shelves, she created countless masterpieces by drawing on the designs that she had encountered during her prewar visit to Japan.

Divided into five sections, this exhibition presents approximately 500 items including drawings and photographs of interior goods, furniture, Perriand's own photographs, and her correspondence with Japanese friends. Tracing the influence of the unique sensibility and sympathy that emerged between the artist and Japanese people, the exhibition provides an opportunity to consider the state of architecture and design in the 21st century.


The tsxt provided by Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art.
Period:2012.1.21(Sat)~2012.3.11(Sun)
Open:10:00-17:00
Closed on Monday
Venue:Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Last Updated on January 21 2012
 

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