Le Corbusier at the New York MoMA
Curated by Barry Bergdoll, the Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at the MoMA, and Jean-Louis Cohen, Sheldon H. Solow Professor in the History of Architecture, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, the show culls together paintings, videos, drawings, and models from the French architect’s vast body of work.
An early work on paper by Le Corbusier shows his fascination with landscapes. (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret). (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Blue mountains. 1910. Pencil, watercolor, black ink on paper. 6 3/8 x 7 11/16" (16.2 x 19.5 cm) Foundation Le Corbusier, Paris. © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris / FLC" /pThe comprehensive exhibit follows the trajectory of Le Corbusier’s work through various interpretations of landscape. Pulling from MoMA’s own collection, a hefty loan from the Le Corbusier Foundation, and architectural photography by Richard Pare, MoMA visitors can walk through a chronological atlas of the travel influencing Le Corbusier’s work set against colored walls selected from the color palette he favored throughout his career./p dwell-photo photoId="6133556695692718080" caption="The home Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret) built for his parents and his first work as an independent architect. (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Villa Jeanneret-Perret, La Chaux-de-Fonds. 1912. Photograph. 2012. © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris/FLC. Photo © Richard Pare" /pThe recreated interiors from four of Corbusier’s buildings were a big highlight for us. Corbusier saw houses as "machines to view landscapes," and the rooms offer an intimate look at his vision for domestic settings. The recreation of Le Corbusier’s very own Cabanon is another highlight – the only project he built for himself, he foretold his future when he proclaimed in 1952, "I feel so well in my Cabanon, that, without a doubt, I will end my life here."/p dwell-photo photoId="6133556698322657280" caption="Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret) was a leader in Purism, a movement toward clear forms indicative of the modern age. (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Nature morte (Still life). 1920. Oil on canvas. 31 7/8 x 39 1/4" (80.9 x 99.7 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Van Gogh Purchase Fund, 1937. © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris / FLC
You’ll want to plan for at least a couple hours to make it through over 320 works on display. On our way out we took a look through the show’s catalogue—the quick perusal was enough to tell us the tome is a necessity for any Corbusier follower. (Other Corbusier-centric books worth a spot on your shelf are here).
Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret) (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Palace of the League of Nations, Geneva. 1927. Axonometric view from the west. Gelatin print on paper with ink, airbrush and collage additions. 53 3/8" x 57 7/8" (135.5 x 147 cm). Institut fur Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur, ETH Zurich
Can’t get enough Corbu? This weekend MoMA and the Center for Architecture are holding a two-day international symposium examining the architectural legend’s relationship with New York. A curator led tour of the exhibition, tour of UN Headquarters, and lectures are on the schedule. For ticket information, go here.
Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret) (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Villa Savoye, Poissy. 1928-31. Model, 1932. Wood, aluminum, and plastic. 16 x 34 x 32" (40.6 x 86.4 x 81.3 cm). Model maker: Theodore Conrad. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Purchase. © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris / FLC" /pemLe Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes/em runs June 15 to September 23. a href="http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1321"More information can be found here./a/p dwell-photo photoId="6133556710855127040" caption="Le Corbusier raised Villa Savoye on pilotis (stilts) to provide "distant views of the horizon." Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret). (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Villa Savoye, Poissy. 1928–31. Photograph. 2012. © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris/FLC. Photo © Richard Pare" /dwell-photo photoId="6133556720007208960" caption="Le Corbusier conceived his urban plan for Rio de Janiero while viewing the city during a plane ride. 1929. Aerial perspective with Guanabara Bay, the center and the beaches. (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret) (French, born Switzerland. 1887-1965). Charcoal and pastel on paper. 29 15/16 x 31 11/16" (76 x 80.5 cm). Foundation Le Corbusier, Paris. © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris/FLC
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