Bucket list: Le Corbusier in person

Carey's journey to Maison La Roche, Paris.

I first discovered Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, at the Frye Art Museum last year during the Seattle Art Fair.

The exhibit Interiors by New York-based artist Amie Siegel explored how hierarchies of ownership, care, and display implicate institution, audience, and artist alike. On display was Siegel's 2013 film Provenance about Le Corbusier’s work for the planned city of Chandigarh, India. Shot in a signature silent calm style, the film follows his furniture in reverse order from wealthy collectors’ homes to art auctions, restoration, and shipping, and then back to the furniture’s origins in India. Simple, beautiful, and an effective way to drive home the message of her exhibit. 

I was captivated and wanted more.

Le Corbusier’s biography introduced me to Foundation Le Corbusier, an archive in Paris that honours the work of this talented Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner and writer. The archive consists of Maison La Roche and Villa Jeanneret - both designed by him - an apartment he occupied, and home he designed for his parents. Finally, on a recent buying trip I had the opportunity to visit Maison La Roche. 

Reading words and pictures is one thing, standing in a space designed by Le Corbusier is a whole new experience.

On my visit, I was able to move freely through the space. A couple rooms were visited repeatedly. It’s evident that not only is Le Corbusier an architect, but a true artist and visionary in everything he does. I am truly fascinated by his use of colour blocking, which changes the appearance of structural strength or weakness.

The visit spurred on my infatuation and it was well worth the journey out of Paris’ downtown core. Can’t wait to see more!

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Visit Foundation Le Corbusier online.