Some of the most significant French designs will be on display at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Alliance Française de Singapour from now to 20 April.

Perrier Glass by Martin Szekely

Tabouret Bubu by Philippe Starck

From motor vehicles (E-Solex by Maurice Goudard and Marcel Mennesson), to furniture (LC4 by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand), to humble everyday objects such as the water glass (Perrier Glass by Martin Szekely), the exhibition seeks to highlight the universality and staying power of good design, and how they have evolved into leading household and luxury brand names today.

Juicy Salif by Philippe Starck

Rainbow Chair by Patrick Norguet

It also aims to illustrate how a seemingly simple design can become iconic.

The pieces to be exhibited were selected by French freelance design editor Cédric Morisset.

E-Solex by Maurice Goudard and Marcel Mennesson

Darkside collection by Philippe Starck

“Icons are characterised by their reach – if not religious, at least symbolic… The concept of an icon is purely relative. What is an icon for me need not be one for another, what is an icon for the French need not be one for the Japanese,” says Morisset.

The breadth of the exhibits is meant to reflect the significance of France as a country from which great designs and designers are produced, from the late Jean Prouvé and Pierre Paulin to Philippe Starck – a name that today needs little introduction – to the younger generation of designers such as Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.

Stardard Chair by Jean Prouve

Djinn Lounge Chair by Olivier Mourgue

The exhibition 20 French Design Icons will be divided between galleries at NAFA and Alliance Française de Singapour.

Chaise Modele A / Chaise A Tolix,  Xavier Pauchard

LC4 by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand

Hero Image: Algues by the Bouroullec brothers

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Now to 20 April 2011
artgalleries@nafa.edu.sg
nafa.edu.sg

Alliance Française de Singapour
Now to 29 March 2011
benedict@alliancefrancaise.org.sg
alliancefrancaise.org.sg