L’Art d’habiter
Charlotte Perriand ranks among the most significant designers of the 20th century and was one of the outstanding figures to emerge from the circle around Le Corbusier. The exhibition ‘L’Art d’habiter. The Art of Dwelling’, opening on 2 November at the Kunstmuseen Krefeld, pays tribute to her life’s work with an unprecedented scope – from her early tubular steel furniture to her master plan for the Les Arcs ski resort. In collaboration with the Archives Charlotte Perriand, the exhibition offers fresh perspectives on her practice, particularly her design processes, her critical engagement with the environment and society, and her intense dialogue with materials and cultures.
A Cosmos Across Three Houses
At the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, the focus is on Charlotte Perriand’s early designs and creative processes. Alongside rare pieces of furniture, archival documents, photographs and film material, walk-in room reconstructions provide vivid insights into her experimental working methods from the 1920s onwards.
At Haus Lange, the spotlight is on Perriand’s guiding idea of a “synthesis of the arts”. Here, her stays in Japan, Indochina and Brazil are explored, highlighting the transcultural impulses she incorporated into interiors, furniture and spatial concepts. Also central are her collaborations with artists such as Fernand Léger and Isamu Noguchi.
Haus Esters offers a different perspective on Perriand’s impact. Selected objects from the design collection of the Kunstmuseen Krefeld place her ideas in dialogue with contemporary positions. Here, the relevance of her principles to today’s debates on sustainability, diversity and innovation becomes clear.
Perriand’s oeuvre spans nearly 70 years, ranging from functional furniture to the planning of an entire ski settlement. Her core principles remain of great significance: the close interplay of design and society, a thoughtful use of materials, and a continual dialogue with environment and culture. This attitude continues to inspire designers, architects and thinkers worldwide.
Visitors to Krefeld can therefore expect not only a historical tribute, but also a vibrant forum for questions about the future of living. Through interactive programmes, spatial installations and media formats, Perriand’s thinking becomes directly tangible. The exhibition is curated by Katia Baudin and Waleria Dorogova.
