There's been many a show of modernist master Charlotte Perriand's work but none that taps into her mind quite like the Petit Palais' current offering in Paris. Focusing on the part photography played in the making of her work, it takes us right to the source of her designs, placing inspiration shots and realised products side by side.
From the fish bones that prompted her 'Banquette Tokyo' to the reclining figure that inspired her 'Chaise Longue Basculante', the photographs lay bare her creative process. Perriand began using photography for preliminary studies from the moment she joined the Le Corbusier/Pierre Jeanneret studio as furniture design associate in 1928, looking at the 'laws of nature' in urban and mountain contexts, and many of the 380 photographs show objects discovered on her many walks.
'The most important thing to realise is that what drives the modern movement is a spirit of enquiry,' she once said. 'It's a process of analysis and not a style.' The Petit Palais exhibition certainly shows an inquisitive mind - someone with a keen eye for the world around her. Perriand was also the first designer to use photography as an integral part of her furniture and interior design projects, as the show reveals.
... and the final product: 'Chaise Ombre' by Charlotte Perriand, 1954. Edition Cassina.
The inspiration photograph: 'Arête de poisson' by Charlotte Perriand, 1933.
Banquette Tokyo by Charlotte Perriand, 1954
The inspiration photograph: 'Art Brut Grès plage Normandie vers' by Charlotte Perriand, 1935.
... and the final product: 'Table Basse' by Charlotte Perriand, 1984 Collection Musée des Arts décoratifs.
The Inspiration photograph: 'Paysanne corse' by Charlotte Perriand, 1937.
... and the final product: 'Chaise longue bambou' by Charlotte Perriand, 1940 ©AChP_ADAGP, Paris 2011
The inspiration photograph:'Immeuble de l’Armée du Salut en construction, vers' by Charlotte Perriand, 1931.
... and the final product: 'Meuble de séparation' by Charlotte Perriand, 1954.
The inspiration photograph: 'Pont à poutrelle' by Charlotte Perriand, 1933.
... and the final product: 'Table Gigogne' by Charlotte Perriand, 1951 Edition Cassina.
'Table Gigogne' by Charlotte Perriand, 1951
Edition Cassina.
The lady herself: 'Charlotte Perriand en Savoie, vers 1930'.
ADDRESS
Petit Palais
City of Paris Fine Art Museum
Avenue Winston Churchill
75008 Paris
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