you may think of jean prouvé (1901-1984) as a mid-century french furniture designer. the standard chair, which he designed during the 1930's, is a modern classic that is now produced by vitra.
jean prouvé | standard chair | circa 1950 | laffanour galerie downtown/paris | paris, france
photo credit 1st dibs
for the standard chair, prouvé designed a metal frame, with tubular front legs and tailfin shaped back legs. he fabricated the hollow frame from sheets of steel, a thin but strong material that is commonly used in the automobile industry.
you may also know that jean prouvé was an architect. he believed that:
'in their construction there is no difference between furniture and buildings.'
-jean prouvé
both the furniture and the buildings that he designed used similar construction systems. as a result, both could be easily modified, moved, or dismantled.
jean prouvé | deconstructed standard chair | circa 1950
photo credit the row on instagram
two of prouvé's demountable buildings were exhibited at design miami and design miami/basel in 2013 and 2014 by paris dealer, galerie patrick seguin.
from 27 february-4 april 2015, galerie patrick seguin is exhibiting two more in collaboration with gagosian gallery in new york.
at gagosian, both buildings are surrounded by and filled with john chamberlain (1927-2011) sculptures.
chamberlain's sculptures are constructed from salvaged automobile parts. tailfins, fenders, and hoods that he bent, crushed, twisted, welded, and painted.
'the mangle is the message.'
-john chamberlain
do you think that the demountable structures and the mangled metal sculptures are a dynamic juxtaposition?
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
jean prouvé | model | demountable offices for ferembal | nancy, france | 1948
bent steel frame with five axial portal frames set on a pressed steel floorheld together by ridge beams, which support the purlins and aluminum roofing slabs
facade constructed of prefabricated double sided wood panels, which slot together interchangeably
structure rescued from the demolition of the fermebal site in 1983
adapted by french architect, jean nouvel
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
john chamberlain | magnesium revolt | 1977
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace 
john chamberlain | battsy beeker | 1983
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace 
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
jean prouvé | model | temporary school of villejuif | paris, france | 1956
constructed from prefabricated components
sheet steel props support the curved, cantilevered, laminated wood roof
facade constructed of glazed panels divided by sheet steel sections that act as stiffeners and provide ventilation
after the school was dismounted, the components were reused in other buildings
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
john chamberlain | entirelyfearless | 2009
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
jean prouvé | model | 6x6 demountable house | 1944
original structure with the addition of modern living facilities
modern additions include external bathroom and kitchen pods
and, a series of service trolleys that provide hot water and solar electricity
adapted by british architect, richard rogers | rogers stirk harbor + partners
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
27 february-4 april 2015
gagosian gallery
555 west 24th street
new york, NY 10011
tuesday-saturday 10 am-6 pm
18-21 june 2015
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