Launch of Block A of Le Corbusier Centre

Chandigarh, 17th April 2018: Hon'ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT, Chandigarh today inaugurated the Block A of the Le Corbusier Centre and also launched the Open Hand Art Studios in a part of the restored building. 

Present on the occasion were the Advisor to the Administrator, Sh Parimal Rai,  Home Secretary, Sh Anurag Agarwal, Director Tourism, Sh Jitendar Yadav,  Chief Architect Sh Kapil Setia, and other leading artist and architects of the city.

As a part of events planned to commemorate the Birth anniversary of Pierre Jeanneret an installation workshop on the theme based on an article by Jeanneret “Aesthetic: reflections on beauty of line, shape and form” was also thrown open to the public. The Governor first took a round of the existing museum in the Block B of the Centre and was impressed with the simplicity and grace of the building which was the workplace of Le Corbusier and his team of Architects. Deepika Gandhi, Director of the Centre informed him about the low cost and climate responsive aspects of the design by Jeanneret and how the building is an icon of modern architecture in the Indian context.

The Governor then unveiled the inaugural plaque which has been interestingly designed by Gandhi on the basis of a light fixture designed by Jeanneret and in keeping with the aesthetics of the structure.

Badnore then inaugurated and took a round of the restored block and was shown a presentation on the process of condition assessment and restoration of the building by the Department of Engineering under the supervision of Deepika Gandhi. 

He also Launched the Open Hand Art Studios of Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi at LCC for day residency of selected artists from the tricity in part of the restored building. Mr Bheem Malhotra, Chairman, Chandigarh Lalit kala Akademi explained the concept and long-standing demand for art studio in the city. There was a dire need of a working area for print makers and graphic designers which has been fulfilled in the Centre. The studio provides state of the art equipment for artists in the inspiring environs of a heritage structure.

A new range of Post cards, stationery items and miniature furniture of Jeanneret specially designed and developed by Deepika Gandhi, was also launched to be sold at the Souvenir shops of Department of Tourism is proposed as a befitting and lasting tribute to Jeanneret’s legacy.

The dignitaries took a round of the interesting installation created on the theme “Aesthetic: reflections on beauty of line, shape and form” taken from an article by Jeanneret on this subject. Badnore appreciated the creative expressions of the students of Art and Architecture and Delhi based guest artist Aarti Zaveri. The installations shall be on display till 20th April .In his address he appreciated the efforts of the engineering department and Deepika Gandhi in restoring the building back to its original glory and stressed the need for making it a hub of cultural and creative activity. He was keen that the old Canteen block of the Centre be restored next. The staff of the engineering department who worked tirelessly on the restoration were also honoured- Harkiran Kumar of B & R Department, A.K.Jain,SDE, Electrical department ,Devinder Singh, JE, Horticulture and Parminder Singh, JE, public health.

Gandhi commemorated late Sh. V N Singh, the founding Nodal Officer of the Le Corbusier Centre who set up the centre in 2008 in the vote of thanks besides expressing gratitude to the large gathering of artists, students and architects who attended the event.