Didier Marcel

Ricard Foundation Prize presentation
in the Centre Pompidou

Clearly inspired from architecture, Sans Titre (1999) by Didier Marcel could appear as the scale model of a Parisian housing block from the 70ies. But this scale model is not really what it seems, and triggers interrogations as to its architectural status. The facades, made of repetitive elements, whose scale is sometimes difficult to assess, are one of the most typical elements of the huge housing projects, that heralded an "international" modernity between the 50ies an the 60ies, notably for commercial programmes. The architectural style of Didier Marcel's work is uncertain. What is the true nature of these facades? Behind the apparent banality, what are the underlying theories?

Didier Marcel, "Untitled", 1999, the engine rotates the piece, painted steel, electric motor, 131 x 66 x 37.5 cm, photo: Philippe Migeat