Amie Siegel searches for 'Provenance' in a new film tracing Le Corbusier's furniture
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Siegel's new film, entitled 'Provenance', charts the global exchange of furniture from the Indian city of Chandigarh (opens in new tab). Devised in the 1950s, the city is most notably associated with Le Corbusier (opens in new tab) and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, who were among a handful of architects commissioned to plan the new community. In addition to several controversial modernist structures, the duo also collaborated on original pieces of furniture (opens in new tab) designed specifically for the building's interiors. Recently these objects - chairs, tables, and desks - have emerged on the international auction circuit, selling for record prices.
The film opens with a series of hazy shots of London's streets, gradually venturing further into a private house, where the true subject of her lens is revealed. From there, similar montages across the world invite us into the homes of various collectors and as the film unfolds, the furniture's sojourns are slowly revealed: from sale at auction, to catalogue photography, preview exhibitions, restoration and transit, before finally arriving at its origin in Chandigarh.
In a case of life imitating art, Siegel's film will be auctioned on 18 October at Christie's London. A second, shorter film documenting this sale will also become part of the project in a final stroke that binds the film to the art market it deconstructs. Watch an excerpt of the film, ahead of its premiere at Simon Preston Gallery in New York on 8 September, where it runs until 6 October…
The film traces the global exchange of furniture salvaged from the Indian city of Chandigargh
Conceived in the 1950s, Chandigargh is most known for its association with Swiss architect Le Corbursier who, along with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, was commissioned to design several buildings for the city. In addition to this, the duo also collaborated on several pieces of one-off furniture
As the film unfolds, the furniture's sojourns across the world are slowly revealed: from sale at auction, to catalogue photography, preview exhibitions...
....restoration and transit, before finally arriving at its origin in Chandigarh
Although much of the furniture was discarded over the last few decades, pieces have begun emerging on the international auction circuit, selling for record prices
2653900546001
An excerpt from Siegel's 'Provenance' film
ADDRESS
Simon Preston Gallery (opens in new tab)
301 Broome St
New York NY 10002
VIEW GOOGLE MAPS (opens in new tab)
-
From darkness to everlasting light: all you need to know about the first Islamic Arts Biennale
Rebecca Anne Proctor travels to Jeddah to explore the world’s first Islamic Arts Biennale (until 23 April), a monumental survey of Islamic arts and culture in the religion’s birthplace, modern-day Saudi Arabia
By Rebecca Anne Proctor • Published
-
A Sydney adventure: discover art and architecture, design and dance
See the best Sydney architecture, design, craft, cuisine and more. Ahead of World Pride 2023, Wallpaper* Australia editor Elias Redstone offers an insider’s view to you plan your trip
By Elias Redstone • Published
-
Last chance to see: Theaster Gates’ ‘Young Lords and Their Traces’ at the New Museum
Theaster Gates talks about his first US museum show, ‘Young Lords and Their Traces’ at The New Museum (until 5 February 2023), a moving homage to the creative forces who came before
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Best reissues: design classics revitalised with brio
The Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022 celebrate three design reissues – from Cassina, Flos and UniFor. Plus, explore more midcentury designs reimagined for the future
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
Cassina’s first line of outdoor furniture has a midcentury edge
At IMM Cologne (13-19 January), Italian stalwarts Cassina will be revealing its first ever outdoor collection that blends reimagined design icons with a set of contemporary al fresco pieces
By Sujata Burman • Last updated
-
Berluti delivers colour and care to revive Pierre Jeanneret’s Chandigarh furniture
For this year’s Design Miami, Kris Van Assche partners with François Laffanour to present a collection of Pierre Jeanneret furniture pieces
By Nick Vinson - Art Direction • Last updated
-
Cassina’s furniture as seen through the lens of Karl Lagerfeld
By Elly Parsons • Last updated
-
Cassina revives Le Corbusier furniture
By Malaika Byng • Last updated
-
Le Corbusier's furniture from Chandigarh
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated