Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2012

In 1940, renowned French designer Charlotte Perriand came to Japan and fell in love with the country. Invited by the government as an adviser on craft exports, the interior designer for legendary architect Le Corbusier was forced to leave by the start of WWII. But in the few short years she was here, Perriand absorbed the essence of Japanese esthetics and began to integrate them into her designs. “Charlotte Perriand et le Japon” displays items that show the Japanese influence on her work, such as a bamboo chair, as well as sketches, letters and photographs she exchanged with her Japanese friends.

Meguro Museum of Art, until Jun 10 (listing).