'Mexique' bookcase from the Maison du Mexique, Cité Universitaire de Paris 1952

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have Charlotte Perriand's 'Mexique' bookcase. I find it wonderfully playful. The asymmetrical blocks remind me of a Mondrian painting come to life, but softened. Editor: It does exude a sense of organized chaos. Perriand designed this for the Maison du Mexique in Paris, part of the Cité Universitaire. Think of the context: a dormitory space for students from Mexico. Curator: Exactly! It's not just storage; it's a statement. The wood, the pops of red and blue, they evoke a modernist aesthetic but with a very human touch. Perriand was a master of creating functional art. Editor: Her focus on modularity and prefabrication also speaks to the social ideals of the time: accessible, well-designed furnishings for a wider public. A utopian vision made real in a bookcase. Curator: I love that, seeing it as utopian. It makes me wonder, what kind of books would I put in those spaces? Editor: Well, I'm leaving here with a renewed appreciation for furniture as social commentary.