Reconstruction of La Maison Tropicale at Tate Modern

Unique Expression of Radical Architectural Vision

"Some people like to look at art, others like to sit on it" - Alex Cole

Just over ten years ago, in the Republic of Congo, a forgotten building was found. It was a prototype of Jean Prouve's prefab homes to be built for the French Colonies. It was in a sorry state of dilapiation. The house was dismantled and sent back to France. Bullet holes from numerous conflicts were repaired during its restoration to Prouve’s original 1951's vision. Jean Prouve is now championed as a genius because of the enormous influence his elegant economy of design had on the twentieth century. Recently, Andre Balazs a patron of the arts, purchased the structure. In a partnership between Balazs, the Design Museum and Tate Museum the building was reconstructed on the grounds of the Tate Contemporary Art Gallery. It was part of a comprehensive overview of Jean Prouve's work in the United Kingdom during his time with the Design Museum. The exhibit introduced the British public to Prouve's unique furniture, architecture, photos, films and drawings. Visitors could experience first hand Prouve's radical vision of functionalism. The Tate Museum viewed his design as both conceptual art and historical artifact. It was seen as a manifestation of the visionary thinking that shaped our contemporary aesthetics and design values.

THE TIME-LAPSE FILM OF LA MAISON TROPICALE BEING BUILT AT TATE MODERN

Design Museum. "Design Museum ." Time-lapse film of La Maison Tropicale being built at Tate Modern. http://designmuseum.org/media/item/72725/1045/TIMELAPSE-ANGLE-1-medium-res.mp4 (accessed December 8, 2011).

Design Museum. "Design Museum." The Poetics of the Technical Object. http:/http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdesignmuseum.org%2Fexhibitions%2F2008%2Fprouvehouse&h=uAQH_QWyF (accessed December 8, 2011).

Tate Modern. "Tate Modern." Maison Tropicale for Design Museum at Tate Modern. http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/maisontropicale/default.shtm:// (accessed December 8, 2011).