As cited in the French newspaper Le Monde, Los Angeles is now on the cutting edge of architecture. Thanks to several fruitful transatlantic exchanges, France plays an ever more important role in this evolution. This month, discover the exhibition Double Edge: Taira Nishizawa and Jean-Philippe Vassal, which examines the "edge" conditions between the work of Paris-based Jean-Philippe Vassal, Grand Prix National d’Architecture Jeune Talent of the French Ministry of Culture in 1999, and Tokyo-based Taira Nishizawa. Mr Vassal will give a lecture at the UCLA School of architecture on May 19th. (Exhibition at Perloff Hall, Perloff Gallery, room 1308 until May 19th Conference on May 19th, 6:30 pm, Perloff Hall, Decaferoom (1302) UCLA.)

Furthermore, most of the “Starchitects” have now tight links to France. Frank Gehry, who heads the Louis Vuitton foundation in Paris, may be involved in the construction of the Hoffman’s Foundation in Arles, while Thom Mayne will design the “Phare” (Lighthouse) tower in Paris La Défense. On the west coast, Christian de Portzamparc is building the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Hollywood. Last but not least, our congratulations to Jean Nouvel, who just won the Pritzker Price. He is also heading a new development in Los Angeles, the “Green Blade”, with landscape designer Patrick Blanc.

Odile Froument

Cultural Attaché