The MOMA is featuring an exhibition on Henry Labrouste March 10th through June 24th. I neglected to see the structures which are considered Labrouste’s seminal works: Bibliotheque Nationale and Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve in Paris, last summer. The MOMA’s exhibition explores how “influence can lead to innovation.” The academics, including French nationals, interviewed for the MOMA’s exhibition tell of how the appreciation for Labrouste was birthed by American architects–who saw Labrouste’s work with new eyes in the 1960’s. Since that time, appreciation for Labrouste has steadily grown and his structures more ardently admired. The exhibition discusses the impact of technology on public spaces and the envisioned future of the public library. The video below brought to my attention the proposed modernization of the New York Public Library, which we will discuss soon. I have an almost instinctual rejection at the thought.
Labrouste is credited for a host of proficiencies. I couldn’t put it any better than the New York Times piece by Michael Killaman, “In our era of starchitects he makes an instructive case for his unwillingness to compromise, his dedication to function, his decorative originality and his unorthodox hybrid aesthetic, which married industry to classicism.” Take a peak and watch the videos–particularly the French academics!
The Weekend Design 