Vitra Design Museum Opens First Geoffrey Bawa Retrospective in Two Decades
In Weil am Rhein, the Vitra Design Museum is hosting a significant retrospective of Geoffrey Bawa’s work, the first in two decades. Entitled "Architecture for the Senses," this exhibition showcases over 250 items, including models, drawings, furniture, photography, and film, reflecting the five-decade journey of the architect, who was born in Sri Lanka and trained in London. Bawa is known for blending modernist concepts with local craftsmanship. The exhibition features newly commissioned photography by Iwan Baan and immersive designs by Lina Ghotmeh, the creator of the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion. It also emphasizes Bawa's partnerships with Sri Lankan artisans, such as Ena de Silva and Laki Senanayake. Organized by the Vitra Design Museum, the retrospective will tour other locations, highlighting Bawa's lasting impact on modern architecture and tropical modernism.
Key facts
- The Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein opens the first major retrospective of Geoffrey Bawa's work in twenty years.
- The exhibition is titled 'Architecture for the Senses' and includes over 250 objects.
- The show traces Bawa's five-decade career, highlighting his fusion of modernist principles with local materials and craft.
- New commissioned photography by Iwan Baan and immersive scenography by Lina Ghotmeh are featured.
- The exhibition highlights Bawa's collaborations with Sri Lankan artists and craftspeople, including Ena de Silva and Laki Senanayake.
- Bawa was born in Sri Lanka and trained in London.
- The retrospective is the first major show of Bawa's work in two decades.
- The exhibition will travel to other venues after its presentation at the Vitra Design Museum.
Entities
Artists
- Geoffrey Bawa
- Iwan Baan
- Lina Ghotmeh
- Ena de Silva
- Laki Senanayake
Institutions
- Vitra Design Museum
Locations
- Weil am Rhein
- Germany
- Sri Lanka
- London