Reconstruction and the Synthesis of the Arts in France, 1944–1962 by Nicola Pezolet

Abstract

Reviewed by: Reconstruction and the Synthesis of the Arts in France, 1944–1962 by Nicola Pezolet Catherine Gaughan Pezolet, Nicola. Reconstruction and the Synthesis of the Arts in France, 1944–1962. Routledge, 2018. ISBN 978-1-138-68687-8. Pp. 242. Exploring the artistic, architectural, and bureaucratic shifts that emerged after World War II, this book casts new light on forms of collaborative artistic practices amid the French rebuilding efforts. As modernist networks emerged, figures and groups such as Le Corbusier, Asger Jorn, and the Groupe Espace, as well as the Situationist International and Cobra contributed to a synthesis of modern art and architecture shaping what is often referred to as the French "culture State." This fascinating and thought-provoking account not only explores the aesthetics of public space but also the State's role in sponsoring significant cultural initiatives and the impact of new technological modes of artistic production. The three chapters consider people and perspectives often overlooked, one example being Nicolas Schöffer's polychrome sculptures and cybernetic towers and his attempts to create interactive environments that go beyond the traditional. While touching on the current nostalgia for mid-century modernism, the book examines various modernizing government projects that transformed public space in postwar France. Taking into account the political unrest generated by the Marshall Plan, the book presents the challenges faced by artists and architects as they collaborated on building projects and exhibitions and also expands the field for scholarly debate on art, architecture, and globalization. The vast number of stunning photographs, artworks, and posters, particularly the color prints, make this work particularly appealing, as the visuals are crucial to gaining a better understanding of the French cultural landscape. The conclusion sums up significant questions surrounding the synthesis of the arts at this historical juncture and looks toward the future with the renovation of cities and public infrastructures. Urban spaces can redefine the limits of traditional artistic boundaries. Original in its content and insightful in its analysis, this book provides new ways to think about culture while touching on some of the challenges of present-day artists, such as the pressure to promote corporate agendas. Finally, the extensive bibliography and end-notes provide a wealth of information for further studies into the world of postwar [End Page 254] designers, art, and architecture in France. This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the aesthetics of public space and in the possibilities the synthesis of the arts have to offer, as well as to those who wish to explore intertwined governmental, corporate, and industrial projects and their unavoidable economic challenges. Catherine Gaughan University of Toronto Copyright © 2018 American Association of Teachers of French