Art Intelligence Global, Galerie Patrick Seguin and NOT A HOTEL are pleased to jointly present “Modern Dreamers: Iconic Art, Architecture and Design”, an exhibition opening on March 25 at Art Intelligence Global’s exhibition space in Hong Kong. Coinciding with Art Basel Hong Kong, the exhibition is a collaborative showcase celebrating the intersections and synergies found at the highest level of art, architecture and design.

At the heart of the exhibition is Jean Prouvé’s 1944 6x6 Demountable House, which was purchased by NOT A HOTEL from Galerie Patrick Seguin in a transaction facilitated by Art Intelligence Global. The exhibition marks the unveiling of the Demountable House in Asia; after the exhibition, the Demountable House will be installed in NOT A HOTEL’s Tokyo headquarters. The unique collaboration brings together Art Intelligence Global, leading advisor for fine art; Galerie Patrick Seguin, authoritative advocate of French mid-century design; and NOT A HOTEL, whose groundbreaking business model redefines the concept of home, to bring about a landmark cross-disciplinary exhibition reimagining standards of aesthetic living.

A model of rationalist ingenuity, Jean Prouvé’s 1944 6x6 Demountable House was originally designed as temporary housing for homeless populations at the end of World War II. Now an icon of modernist design, the Demountable House is constructed of light, prefabricated components in metal and wood in order to be assembled and disassembled quickly on the sites of destroyed homes. Embodying a convergence of form and function, the Demountable House exudes timeless elegance. 

The exhibition also features rare architectural elements, including a panel with portholes from the Bouqueval demountable school (Paris region) and a set of furniture by Jean Prouvé. Highlights include the aluminum table no. 804, a rare prototype shown for the first time, a set of S.A.M. no. 506 table with its four Métropole no. 305 chairs, all lacquered in Van Dyck brown and from the same provenance, and a Cité armchair from 1930. Remarkably modern for its time, this armchair – designed for the student rooms at the Cité Universitaire Monbois in Nancy (eastern France) – was the first small-series production by Prouvé.

In dialogue with these pieces, Art Intelligence Global has curated a thoughtfully selected assemblage of works to be featured in the exhibition. Highlights include works by modern Japanese master Morikazu Kumagai, celebrated contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, distinguished ceramicist Rikichi Miyanaga as well as Kazuo Yagi, one of the founding members of the post-war avant-garde movement Sōdeisha. As one of the first of its kind in Asia, the multi-disciplinary exhibition offers a sophisticated fusion of art, design, history and culture and presents a unique opportunity to engage with 20th century innovation and modern to post-war artistic expression in an integrated, cohesive and interactive context.