Le Corbusier Unité d’habitation de MarseilleRoof view1946-52Photograph by Lucien Hervé©FLC/DACS, 2008
Le Corbusier - The Art of Architecture (February 19 – May 24), Barbican Art Gallery
A big name in 20th century architecture gets the five star treatment at the Barbican Art Gallery with Le Corbusier - The Art of Architecture (February 19 – May 24), which is the first major survey in London of the internationally renowned architect in more than 20 years.
Le Corbusier “Femme et coquillage” 1948 Mural in the office at rue de Sèvres Photograph by Marie-Odile Hubert©FLC/DACS, 2008
Visitors are promised a wealth of his paintings, films, sculpture and books alongside vintage photographs, original architectural models and interior settings.
Highlights include a monumental mural painting, Femme et coquillage IV (1948) from his own office at Rues de Sèvres, Paris; a reconstruction of his Plan Voisin for Paris (1925); a complete original kitchen by Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand from his famous Unité d’habitation, Marseille (1947-50); original models of Ronchamp (1950-55), Unité d’habitation (1945-52), Parliament Building Chandigarh (1951-64) amongst others; and the film version of Le Corbusier and Edgard Varèse’s Poème Electronique (1958).
The exhibition charts his work over a sixty-year period from early examples such as the Villa Savoye to some of his last works in the municipal buildings for the Indian city of Chandigarh.
Le Corbusier Stuttgart : maisons Weissenhof-Siedlung 1927©FLC/DACS, 2008
The Barbican, which is home to more than 4000 residents in 2000 flats, represents the most important expression of Corbusian ideas in the UK in its architectural forms, high walk ways, pillars and the rooftop and vertical gardens. His ideas had a huge impact on the Barbican architects Chamberlain, Powell and Bon.
Kate Bush, Head of Barbican Art Galleries, said: “Not only is it an exceptional opportunity for visitors to experience the many facets of an incredible polymath, but it has a fantastic resonance with the Barbican itself.
“Le Corbusier was the guiding spirit for the Centre's architects, inspired by his utopian vision as well as later buildings such as Maisons Jaoul, and Unité d'Habitation."
She added: “We've devised a dynamic programme of music and events which will thrill audiences, whilst fully exploring Le Corbusier's legacy in the new century.”
A programme of concerts films and talks accompanies the exhibition for more information go to www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery
