Join
us for a fascinating look into the mind of Le Corbusier during his two-week trip
to Punjab in 1951. Architectural historian Maristella Casciato will talk about
her new book, Le Corbusier, Album Punjab,
1951 (Lars Müller Publishers, 2024).
This reprint of the notebook “Album Punjab
Simla. Chandigarh, Mars 1951” kept by Le Corbusier (1887–1965) during his visit
to India in anticipation of the planning and construction of Chandigarh, presents
sketches, memos, and personal reflections, as well as notes and schematic solutions
elaborated during project meetings. The Album Punjab constitutes a primary source
for reconstructing the topics addressed by the small team of architects and governmental
officials who in only a few days developed the outlines of the Chandigarh plan.
The spiral-bound notebook facsimile is
accompanied by a paperback volume featuring previously unpublished photographs taken
by Le Corbusier’s cousin Pierre Jeanneret (1896–1967) during this early expedition.
The detailed commentary by Casciato reflects upon the variety of topics assembled
in the notebook and retraces the story of the days in which the new capital city
was planned. By transcribing Le Corbusier’s famously illegible handwriting in French
and English, this book allows its readers complete access to the architect’s mind.
As described by the cultural historian
Edwin Dimendberg, “The book is immensely
impressive and combines Maristella’s impeccable scholarship with Lars Müller’s extraordinary
book making. A more dynamic duo is hard to imagine, as is a work that poses more
challenging issues of presentation and contextualization.”
Casciato on Corbu’s Album Punjab, Sunday,
November 17, 2024; 1-2:30 PM Pacific; $5. Go to www.sahscc.org and pay
via PayPal; or mail in order form with check; Zoom link sent upon registration.
