The Hainaut region of Belgium is better known for its abandoned mines and factories than its sparkling new design galleries - and is probably the last place you would expect to find a state-of-the-art exhibition on celebrated French designer Pierre Charpin. But there it is, a colourful review of 20 years of the designer's work, set against the great industrial space of the Grand-Hornu, a remarkable 19th century neoclassic coal mining complex partially transformed into a contemporary art museum.
This is the second time Charpin, a trained artist specialising in furniture and product design, has exhibited at the Grand-Hornu. His simple, bright designs - part of his brand of 'conceptual and poetic minimalism' - are particularly well suited to the vast space. The show focuses on works created between 1990 and 2010, with about 50 products for brands such as Alessi, Ligne Roset, Tectona, and Venini; art galleries including Design Gallery Milano and Galerie Kreo; as well as sketches and animations.
Paris-based Charpin, a visiting professor at Lausanne's ECAL since 2006, is known for his sculptural, monochromatic designs that manage to retain a soft, playful side despite their minimalism. Highlights at the Grand-Hornu include a fluorescent green stand for 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.
Charpin, who has designed the exhibition himself, aims to show these pieces as an ensemble, a sort of giant art installation, rather than a more traditional chronological journey. At the Grand-Hornu, he plays on juxtapositions and layouts to create small displays and mock domestic landscapes, including the opening Wunderkammern, a living room set created especially for the space.
The show is set in the former hayloft of the 19th century coal mining complex of the Grand-Hornu, in the Belgian province of Hainaut
Charpin’s 2008 ‘Parabole’ floor light for Galerie Kreo is surrounded by the designer’s Lignes, Comètes and Nuages drawings
The show also includes photographs, such as the 1990 black-and-white L’homme vase, (The Vase-Man)
Charpin’s 2010 red ‘Mobidec’ poufs for Ligne Roset are scattered throughout the space
Green walls hide Charpin’s 2008 ‘UFO’ shelf for Galerie Kreo, which hangs in the middle of the small black room
Table display of Charpin’s sketches
Umpire chair, by Pierre Charpin, for Tectona, 2006
Pierre Charpin designed the exhibition himself, arranging his pieces in little tableaux rather than a chronological display
‘Girotondo’ cabinet, by Pierre Charpin, for Zanotta, 2002
A lamp made especially for the exhibition hangs above a display of Charpin’s ceramics and glassware
‘Slice’ sofa, by Pierre Charpin, for Galerie Kreo, 2008
Le Bal des Formes Noires animation, 2009-2011
‘All’Aperto’ table, by Pierre Charpin, for Galerie Kreo, 2008
‘Baskettino’ bowl, by Pierre Charpin, for Édition Montina, 2002
‘Séquence’ shelving unit, by Pierre Charpin, for Galerie Kreo, 2008
‘Oggetti Lenti’ lamp, by Pierre Charpin, for Design Gallery Milano, 2008
‘PCH01’ bowl, by Pierre Charpin, for Alessi, 2007
‘Oggetti Lenti’ vase, by Pierre Charpin, for Design Gallery Milano, 2008
Green stand, by Pierre Charpin, for Design Gallery Milano, 2002
‘Prima’ stackable chair, prototype, by Pierre Charpin, 1993
‘Ceram X’ boxes, by Pierre Charpin, for Édition Craft, 2003-2005
ADDRESS
Grand Hornu
82, rue Sainte-Louise
7301 Hornu
Belgium
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