Breuer in Bristol

Home Exhibitions Archive 2010 Breuer in Bristol

Breuer in Bristol

Main gallery: 21 October to 24 December 2010

A brief three year period in the mid thirties put Bristol on the Modernist map. In association with the Gane Trust, we present a little known partnership, and its extraordinary architectural and artistic implications. This exhibition presents Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer, one of the pioneers of modern design, and Crofton Gane, Bristol furniture manufacturer, and their intriguing collaboration.

The exhibition will reveal the story behind Bristol's unusual flirtation with modernism at a time when the Arts and Crafts movement was still dominant in many areas of design. It will show how these two individuals came to work together, and their separate life experiences forging parallel ideologies.

In the main gallery the story of this collaboration will be illustrated through archive images, artefacts, Breuer-designed and Gane-manufactured furniture, and a model of the Gane Pavilion.

This exhibition is kindly supported by The Gane Trust.

A programme of events will accompany this exhibition throughout the Autumn. See the events section for details.

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This exhibition does credit for Bristol through its recognition of two extraordinary men who were leaders in the field of design during the 1930s. We are indebted for this initiative by the Gane Trust, theRWA and Max Gane the curator of this fine show.

Stephen Macfarlane – 11 January 2011, 17:33

Thank you for your comments. The exhibition was open until 6pm on Thursday 25 November, but with apologies, one person was mis-informed about this over the telephone - we are sorry for the inconvenience if this was you.

We will be staying open until 6pm on 9 December for the Eileen Gray film, which starts at 6.30pm at Arnolfini. We hope to see you there.

The Architecture Centre – 26 November 2010, 18:20

Yesterday evening I very much enjoyed the talks on Marcel Breuer presented at the Arnolfini, and only wished that your exhibition had been extended beyond your usual closing time to seemlessly lead onto the talk. Do you think that might be a possibility on the evening of the Eileen Gray film?