Centre Pompidou
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Centre Georges Pompidou (constructed 1971–1977 and known as the Pompidou Centre in English) is a complex in the center of Paris, known as the first postmodern building.
It houses the Bibliothèque publique d'information, a vast public library, the Musée National d'Art Moderne, and IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research. Because of its location, the Centre is known locally as Beaubourg. It is named after Georges Pompidou, who was president of France from 1969 to 1974, and was opened on January 31, 1977. The building was designed by the architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, whose design was not very popular at first but is considered one of the first postmodern buildings. However, under the guidance of its first director, Pontus Hultén, it quickly became a noted attraction in Paris.
Bowellism
Modern style of architecture associated with Richard Rogers. In 1977 Rogers, along with Renzo Piano, completed the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Based on the rationale that the greatest amount of floor space possible should be allowed for the interior so as to maximize space to appreciate the exhibitions, everything from the lifts to the sewage pipes were made visible on the outside of the structure. This inside-out style was termed 'Bowellism'.