Pratt Institute   |   Materials & Meaning  |   Summer 2020

The Soulages Museum was designed by RCR Architects, in Rodez, France. The museum displays the work of the abstract expressionist artist, Pierre Soulages. Metal is used extensively on the exterior and interior. The interior walls are clad with 6mm folded steel metal panels that have a similar appearance to Soulages’ artwork, which is characteristically dark and heavy with texture. It contrasts with the light coming through from outside, reflecting it into the space. The meaning of the metal panels in this museum is to blur the line between art and architecture and the abstract vs reality.