Galerie Philia’s new exhibition pays tribute to Le Corbusier
The exhibition at Le Corbusier’s residential housing block, Unité d’Habitation in Marseille (until 2 July 2022), invites contemporary designers and artists to consider the architect’s principles
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Contemporary design and art specialist Galerie Philia has collaborated with art magazine Eclipse on a new exhibition, ‘Héritages’. The show, at Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, marks the 70th anniversary of Le Corbusier’s residential housing design, also referred to as ‘La Cité Radieuse’.
‘Héritages’ takes place in two rooms of an apartment in the residence, the design of which conforms to the harmonious proportions of Le Corbusier’s Modulor theory, where the human form is considered in the room’s scale. Eight designers have been invited by Galerie Philia to put their own interpretative spin on Le Corbusier’s principles, and their work is displayed alongside contemporary artworks by six visual artists chosen by Eclipse magazine.
‘Licitra’ chair by Pietro Franceschini. Courtesy of Galerie Philia. Courtesy of Le Corbusier Foundation, © FLC A.D.A.G.P, Paris, 2022
‘Héritages’, exhibition view. Courtesy of Galerie Philia. Courtesy of Le Corbusier Foundation, © FLC A.D.A.G.P, Paris, 2022
‘Le Corbusier is considered one of the most influential historical figures in contemporary design,’ says co-founder of Galerie Philia, Ygaël Attali. ‘Either by affiliation or disaffiliation, the ensemble of works in this exhibition questions his work and his legacy, and intends to respond to his theoretical but also polemical genius.’
The works are divided into two parts, ‘Resonances’ and ‘Dissonances’, in a nod to the polarity Le Corbusier’s theories invite. In the first part, ‘Resonances,’ his legacy becomes a foundation for designers including Rick Owens, Pietro Franceschini, Arno Declercq, and Paul Matter, who sculpt armchairs, sofas and vases into minimalist shapes. Artworks by Edgar Sarin and Mateo Revillo build on this brutalist aesthetic.
‘Licitra’ chair by Pietro Franceschini. Courtesy of Galerie Philia. Courtesy of Le Corbusier Foundation, © FLC A.D.A.G.P, Paris, 2022
Jojo Corväiá, Roxane Lahidji, Jérôme Pereira, Niclas Wolf, Sam Szafran, and Fabrice Hyber and Flora Temnouche take a more critical perspective in ‘Dissonances,’ a tactile celebration of organic forms.
‘Set within the walls of Le Corbusier’s architectural masterpiece La Cité Radieuse, the exhibition “Héritages” weaves a dialogue of resonances and dissonances between contemporary artists, designers and Le Corbusier, acting both as a tribute to and a critical reflection on his theoretical and artistic ideology,’ the editors of Eclipse add.
‘Licitra’ chair by Pietro Franceschini. Courtesy of Galerie Philia. Courtesy of Le Corbusier Foundation, © FLC A.D.A.G.P, Paris, 2022
‘Héritages’, exhibition view. Courtesy of Galerie Philia. Courtesy of Le Corbusier Foundation, © FLC A.D.A.G.P, Paris, 2022
INFORMATION
‘Héritages’ by Galerie Philia, 7 May – 2 July 2022 at Kolektiv Cité Radieuse, Unité d’Habitation Le Corbusier, Marseille
Hannah Silver joined Wallpaper* in 2019 to work on watches and jewellery. Now, as well as her role as watches and jewellery editor, she writes widely across all areas including on art, architecture, fashion and design. As well as offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, Hannah is interested in the quirks of what makes for a digital success story.
-
These London spas are utterly relaxing urban escapes
These London spas offer transformative treatments in awe-inspiring spaces for total relaxation in the midst of the big city
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
Max Richter: ‘Visual art culture is wide open in a way that classical music, unfortunately, sort of isn't’
Hot on the heels of Max Richter’s new album, ‘Sleep: Tranquility Base’, and recently opened multi-arts haven in rural Oxfordshire, we speak to the acclaimed composer about creating a sonic antidote to complex times
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Discover all the Rolex watches released at Watches and Wonders 2023
Rolex unveils bold new additions to its iconic watch families
By Hannah Silver • Published