Le Corbusier
dal 8/10/2008 al 26/3/2008
Segnalato da
8/10/2008
Le Corbusier
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
The Olympic Stadium Project - Le Corbusier and Baghdad
Architecture, Room 128a
Admission free
This display examines one of the last projects by Le Corbusier, begun in 1957, his fascinating design for a sports stadium in Baghdad. With specially commissioned models, it gives a sense of what this marvellous structure would have looked like had the project come to fruition. The stadium was planned around a set of innovative radially arranged ribs or "voiles", the designs for 20 of which also feature in the display.
Le Corbusier regarded athletes as metaphors for modern man, and with Pierre Jeanneret he created an experimental design for a huge stadium for 100 000 people for athletic/cultural use. Le Corbusier referred to it as a "civic tool for a modern age."
The stadium was to be part of a larger complex of sports facilities, originally the basis of Baghdad's bid for the 1960 Olympics. The project remained in Le Corbusier's office until his death, generating over 950 drawings, the latest ready for construction. Only the gymnasium, based upon his boîte à miracles, was actually constructed, posthumously in 1981.
The concept of the "voiles" is derived from the portico of the Palace of the Assembly at Chandigarh, and the play between 2D and 3D space was built into the drawings, which are part conventional drawing, part sketch and part model. The exhibit offers a window into the innovative working techniques of Le Corbusier's late office.
This display is curated by Peter Carl, University of Cambridge and Irena Murray, Sir Banister Fletcher Director, British Architectural Library, RIBA.
With thanks to the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal.
Please note:
Due to the building works for Ceramics and Medevial and Renaissance galleries, it is not possible for wheelchairs to have access to Architecture Room 128a. Improved access for all visitors will be available from the opening of the Ceramics Gallery in September 2009.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Cromwell Road - London