In the late 50's a Zurich art dealer, Heidi Weber fell in love with Le Corbusier's artistic creations - his furniture, paintings and sculpture - and tracked down the aging architect to his French Riviera vacation cabin, the famous Cabanon (He was Swiss). She persuaded him to sell his works at her gallery, and then urged him to return to Switzerland to build an entirely new structure to house his oeuvre for future generations. He accepted the challenge. Writing to the French cultural minister, author Andre Malraux, in 1960 he said, "I am 73 years old, and this is the first time that country has shown me the slightest courtesy. What a surprise!" He wrote another friend, "This house will be the most audacious of my entire career."
Our visit there was a revelation, an opportunity to see a large number of the great man's artworks in one place - a place designed specifically to house them. Still as beautiful today as it was over 50 years ago when it was built, it serves as a shrine of sorts to a man who contributed hugely to the spirit of a great many places around the world.
Pat measuring up to Corb's "Modern Man" in 1973
Pavillon Le Corbusier (Zurich)
One of Corb's enamelled artwork panels on the exterior
Trying hard to measure up
More views of the Pavillon
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