Exhibition at the Centre Pompidou
Norman Foster: Architecture Inspired by Technology and Art
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners
The Centre Pompidou has devoted its current exhibition to the largest-ever retrospective of the life’s work of Norman Foster. The show is presenting the astoundingly diverse number of projects that have characterized Foster’s work over the past six decades. The British architect has earned worldwide recognition with his extraordinary designs. His typically industrial building style and frequent use of glass and steel have made Foster a pioneer of the high-tech trend in architecture. Foster’s works will be exhibited in the French metropolis until 7 August 2023.
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners
Norman Foster Retrospective
Over an area of around 2200 m², Frédéric Migayrou has curated the architect’s work into seven subject areas. The exhibition starts in a gallery of drawings that chronologically orders many of Foster’s sketches and workbooks that have never been shown before. About 130 projects illustrate the diversity of architectural work. Significant projects such as the Carré d’Art in Nȋmes and the Apple Park in Cupertino are given a special place with scaled original models. Apart from the many models, videos and photographs add a true-to-life atmosphere to the architecture.
Smartphones as exhibition guides
With the Bloomberg Connects app, visitors have the possibility to use their own smartphones to digitally guide them through the exhibition. In the area dedicated to The Vertical City, scanning the QR codes displayed beside the models reveals more details about selected projects in 360-degree virtual-reality tours.
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners
Inspired by technology and art
Several classic cars and a glider are part of the show, as Foster has often been inspired by these for his technical architectural style. Likewise, artworks and sculptures by Fernand Léger, Constantin Brancusi, Umberto Boccioni and Ai Weiwei are also on display, for they demonstrate the connection between Foster’s architecture and various ages of art.
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners
Living on the moon?
The Future section of the exhibition was planned far in advance in terms of both time and space. Working with the European Space Agency and NASA, Foster has explored the idea of living on the moon and Mars in an autonomous world to come. Inspired by the domelike structures, the architect has designed drone harbours for rural Africa. Indeed, Foster claims that the science-fiction fantasies of his youth have become today’s reality.
Research project on living on Mars, 2015, © Foster + Partners
Ethics of sustainability
Although thoughts of ecological sustainability were considered quite revolutionary when Foster’s studio was established, Foster himself has always striven to plan with a certain environmental consciousness. Early on, he developed a global understanding that harmonizes technological progress with an environmentally friendly approach. With more than 400 studied and realized projects, Norman Foster now counts among the foremost personalities in world architecture.
Exhibition venue: Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, Paris (FR)
Exhibition dates: 10. May 2023 to 7. August 2023
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm; Thursday, 11 am - 11 pm, closed on Tuesdays
Further Information: centrepompidou.fr
Gallery
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