Charlie Rose Season 18 Episode 74 Jean Nouvel; Henri Cartier-Bresson: the Modern Century

In season 18 episode 74 of the talk show Charlie Rose, the renowned host Charlie Rose interviews two celebrated and influential figures in the world of art and design: Jean Nouvel and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

The first segment of the show features an interview with Jean Nouvel, a French architect whose name has become synonymous with innovative and boundary-pushing designs that challenge traditional notions of architecture. Born in Fumel, France in 1945, Nouvel studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and first rose to prominence in the 1980s with a series of high-profile commissions, including the Arab World Institute and the Fondation Cartier in Paris.

In the interview, Nouvel speaks about his belief that architecture should be more than just a functional form of design; it should also be an art form that engages and interacts with people in bold and unexpected ways. He discusses his philosophy of "contextualism," which emphasizes the importance of tailoring a building's design to its surrounding environment and cultural context.

Nouvel's work is often characterized by his use of cutting-edge materials, such as glass, steel, and titanium, and he discusses how these materials have allowed him to create buildings that blur the line between indoors and outdoors, light and shadow, and form and function. He also speaks about his collaborations with other artists and designers, including Richard Rogers, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and Christian de Portzamparc, and how these collaborations have shaped his approach to architecture.

The second segment of the show features a retrospective on the life and work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Born in Chanteloup-en-Brie, France in 1908, Cartier-Bresson began his career as a painter before turning to photography in the 1930s. He went on to become a founding member of the cooperative photography agency Magnum Photos and was renowned for his candid and humane approach to photography.

The retrospective features a selection of Cartier-Bresson's most iconic photographs, including his images of everyday life in Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as his portraits of some of the most important figures of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, Albert Camus, and Marilyn Monroe. The show also highlights Cartier-Bresson's groundbreaking approach to photography, including his use of the 35mm camera and his emphasis on capturing the "decisive moment" – the split second in which all elements of a photograph come together to create a unique and powerful image.

Throughout the segment, Charlie Rose speaks with experts on Cartier-Bresson's life and work, including Peter Galassi, former chief curator of photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Jean-Luc Nancy, a French philosopher and writer. They discuss Cartier-Bresson's impact on the field of photography, his relationships with other artists and intellectuals of his time, and his lasting legacy as a master of the medium.

Overall, this episode of Charlie Rose offers a fascinating and insightful look at two creative visionaries whose work has left an indelible mark on the world of art and culture. Whether you are a fan of architecture, photography, or simply curious about the creative process, this show is sure to inspire and delight.