You may not have heard of Claude Parent (I certainly hadn’t) but his architecture from the 60s – often asymmetric and in concrete – has often been vilified as an ugly remnant of the 60s. However, a reappraisal is never far away, especially if the Paris architectural museum calls you « a hero of modernity »…
Pity poor Claude Parent ; during the sixties he became almost the country’s official architect of nuclear power stations and shopping malls, an uncomfortable position to be sure. Yet, he took advantage of the opportunities given him to construct, odd, different, new buildings that challenged people’s ideas of popular architecture. Obviously, not everyone like the result, but perhaps that’s a good thing?

In any case, Claude Parent continued to fearlessly sculpt out of concrete some of the most evocative buildings of the time, not just power stations but also houses and churches, all of them breaking new ground…

Since the sixties, concrete has very much come back into fashion (albeit treated differently) and Parent is finally getting the adoration he probably deserves. His exhibition at the amazing Cité de l’architecture (that we visited for you a while back) is designed by architect-superstar Jean Nouvel. Another reason to go and check it out.

The exhibition Claude Parent: l’œuvre construite, l’œuvre graphique is at the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine (here) from 20th January – 2nd May 2010. Open every day except Tuesdays from 11am – 7pm (9pm Thursdays). Last entrance 45 before closing. Admission: 8€ / 5€

Official site: www.citechaillot.fr

photos : DR