Saint Louis Art Museum
St. Louis, MO
314-721-0072
http://www.slam.org
The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy
of Invention
Charles and Ray Eames, who are among the designers most responsible
for modernizing postwar America, are subjects of a major international retrospective
on view from February 19 to May 14, 2000 at The Saint Louis Art Museum.
"The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention," featuring
more than 500 artifacts, explores the creative range of the Eames's career
through furniture, drawings, models, photographs, slides, films, videos,
toys, one-of-a-kind prototypes and experimental pieces, all exemplifying
the husband-and-wife team's altruistic and ambitious goal of improving society
through design. (left: Low Side Chair, 1946, ash, plywood
and rubber, Gift of Tom and Jean Wolff in memory of Charles Eames, 47:1985)
At a critical moment in American history, Charles (1907
- 1978) and Ray (1912 - 1988) Eames responded to 
emerging postwar consumer needs and demands with experimentation
and an aesthetic approach that was a uniquely American interpretation of
European modernism. The Eameses broadened the scope of that tradition by
incorporating the design traditions of diverse cultures and bringing renewed
attention to the vernacular of the every day. They infused their work for
both corporate and private clients with a new and strong sense of play,
a fresh, open informality and a recognition of the needs of a diverse American
population. Everything they created was imbued with the democratic ideals
of accessibility and affordability. This comprehensive presentation of Charles
and Ray Eames's prolific careers explores both the process and the products
of design, as well as the role of design in daily life. (right: Armchair,
1950, polyester, fibergalss, steel, Gift of Mrs. Charles Lorenz, 124:1984)
"The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention"
is curated in St. Louis by Cara McCarty, the Grace L. Brumbaugh and Richard
E. Brumbaugh Curator of Decorative Arts and Design.
"The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention,"
a 205-gage illustrated catalogue, was edited by Donald Albrecht and published
by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., in association with the Library of Congress and
the Vitra Design Museum. It is available in the Museum Shop.
Read more about the Saint
Louis Art Museum in Resource Library
Magazine
For further biographical information on selected
artists cited above please see America's
Distinguished Artists, a national registry of historic artists.
rev. 12/27/10
Search Resource
Library for thousands of articles and essays on American art.
Copyright 2010 Traditional Fine Arts Organization, Inc., an Arizona nonprofit corporation. All rights
reserved.
Charles and Ray Eames, who are among the designers most responsible
for modernizing postwar America, are subjects of a major international retrospective
on view from February 19 to May 14, 2000 at The Saint Louis Art Museum.
"The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention," featuring
more than 500 artifacts, explores the creative range of the Eames's career
through furniture, drawings, models, photographs, slides, films, videos,
toys, one-of-a-kind prototypes and experimental pieces, all exemplifying
the husband-and-wife team's altruistic and ambitious goal of improving society
through design. (left: Low Side Chair, 1946, ash, plywood
and rubber, Gift of Tom and Jean Wolff in memory of Charles Eames, 47:1985)