Costruire Prouvè

In the occasion of Fuorisalone 2019, where former an old typography existed, an exclusive set-up inspired to Jean Prouvè work and genius has born.

Forty panels of the Beziers school facade, destined for demolition, have been recovered to create a monumental and scendographic installation in which the external environment becomes an architectural element and the visitor can experience the sensation of being inside a fractal.

The project was made possible thanks to the collaboration between Federico Bellucci, owner of Galleria Bellucci and architect Hannes Peer. The contrast between the outer surface of the shell and the warmer and more welcoming interior emphasizes the emotional experience of the public.

Antinomic oppositions are completely undermined and returned with dramatic intimacy thanks to iGuzzini’s lighting design and the retro charm of the panels which, combined with that of the 70s-80s furnishings provided by Galleria Bellucci, Magazzino76 and CrazyArt, reach a new and modern identity.

The panels consist of a framework and large aluminium shutters moved by a chain gear. Each panel, despite its formal grandeur, weighs less than 30 kg, a solution that Jean Prouvé often pursued in the late 1940s for the creation of temporary and easily adaptable habitats.

Metal, a decidedly cold and aseptic material, placed however within a familiar environment and radiated by a warm light, takes on a completely different role. The visitor might also take the opportunity to activate the panels, isolating or opening themselves to the intense light coming from outside in a fully interactive dynamic.

Moreover, the extreme rarity and the inestimable value of each panel contribute to create a unique event. The courage of the purchase, the commitment and the inspiration born from the meeting between Federico Bellucci and Hannes Peer led to this common homage to Jean Prouvé.

The work establishes a dialogue between different eras, styles and changing human needs, rediscovering charms and suggestions from the past. Costruire Prouvé confirms that the road to the future passes through the renewal and creative use of the old models.