Affinités

Taka Ishii Gallery Kyoto is pleased to present “Affinités,” an exhibition of furniture designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, and Jean Prouvé in collaboration with Jousse Entreprise. The title of the exhibition “Affinités” is a French word meaning “affinity” in English, standing for the friendship that bonded the above designers, as well as the relationship between France and Japan.

“In Japan, which was 100% traditional at the time, I discovered emptiness, the power of emptiness, the religion of emptiness, which is not nothingness. For them, it’s the possibility of movement. The void contains everything.” (Charlotte Perriand. From the interview in the program “Mémoires du siècle” on France Culture, 1997)

The creative relationships among the four masters were beyond business; they were rooted in mutual respect, shared ideals, and a common vision for the future of design and pushed the boundaries of what was possible in both architecture and furniture design. In the end, these masters collectively redefined the landscape of 20th-century architecture and design. At the same time, each of the four designers and architects was associated with Japan in different ways, etched in history as a bridge between Japanese and Western design, during one of the significant moments in post-war Japan. Le Corbusier and Jeanneret’s contribution was passed down to disciples, Japanese architects such as Kunio Maekawa, Junzo Sakakura, and Takamasa Yoshizaka. In addition, the modernist movement in Japan has also been influenced by Perriand’s incorporated elements of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and Prouvé’s aesthetics such as minimalism and ‘beauty of use,’ which can be found in traditional Japanese folk craft.

In this exhibition, emblematic furniture by the four masters from both individual or collaborative works have been selected and delicately placed in the 150-year-old machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse). Major pieces by these designers have become increasingly rare over the last ten years. For example, Separation from Africa was a collaborative item by Prouvé and Perriand, who designed it for the interiors of the Air France Building in Brazzaville, Congo. Le Corbusier and Jeanneret made a comprehensive urban plan for Chandigarh, India, including furniture that used teaks found in the city; the government in India is currently imposing restrictions on the export of these items. Furthermore, the famous Thonet Chair, “Siège à Dossier Basculant” (model B 301) by Perriand, Le Corbusier, and Jeanneret in 1929, will be featured in the exhibition. Each designer developed their own work while retaining an affinity through materials and forms, and a minimalist design.

This exhibition highlights the rich creative dialogue that these masters initiated and invites you to the world where cultural boundaries are bridged.

Jousse Entreprise is a gallery founded in Paris in 1989 by Philippe Jousse, recognized globally for its expertise in 20th-century design and art. Driven by a deep passion for post-war furniture design, Jousse has actively promoted artists who reinterpreted Modernism, such as Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Alexandre Noll, Jean Royère, Mathieu Matégot, Pierre Jeanneret, Georges Jouve and Serge Mouille. Notably, in 1987, he organized the first retrospective exhibition of Charlotte Perriand, bringing her work to wider recognition. Under Jousse’s curation, the gallery continues to explore the connections between Modernism and contemporary design and art.

Gallery hours Thu–Sat 10:00 – 17:30
Closed Sun – Wed and National Holidays

Exhibition Duration 14.09. – 19.10.2024

www.takaishiigallery.com

Location:
Taka Ishii Gallery Kyoto
123 Yada-cho, Shimogyo-ku
600-8442 Kyoto
Japan