Paris based artist/furniture designer, Pierre Charpin has, for the second time, chosen Grand-Hornu in Belgium as the destination for his latest solo exhibition. The 19th century neoclassic coal mining complex has been partially transformed into a contemporary art museum and forms the ideal backdrop to show to perfection the creations of Charpin.
The exhibition, organized by the artist himself, covers his creative period from 1990 to 2010, and is displayed in a series of tableaux and small displays rather than in chronological order. The simple bright colors of the minimalistic shapes of his objects retain a sense of playfulness and incorporate both disciplines of art and design.
The 20 year reflection on his career is highlighted by particular pieces such as, a fluorescent green stand for the Gallery Milano, a rainbow- striped ‘Girontodo’ cabinet for Zanotta, a white ceramic and metal egg-shaped ‘Lenti’ lamp for Oggetti and a cantilevered ‘Stump’ marble side table for Ligne Roset.
Pierre Charpin has been a visiting professor at Lausanne’s ECAL since 2006.
