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#54
Eames
SIDECHAIR
THE POWER
OF TWO F
or more than four decades, American designers Charles and Ray Eames helped shape nearly every facet of American life.
From their architecture, furniture, and textile designs to their photography and corporate design, the husband-and-wife team exerted a profound influence on the visual character of
CHARLES EAMES (1907-1978)
daily life in America, whether at work or at home. Their pioneering use of new materials and technologies, notably plywood and plastics, transformed the way Americans furnished their ho mes, introducing functional, affordable, and often highly sculptural objects and furnishings to many middle-class Americans. Charles Eames (1907– 1978) and Ray Kaiser Eames (1912–1988) met while attending the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. From the beginning
RAY KAISER EAMES (1912-1988)
of their collaborative partnership.
MATERIALS AND TEXTURES T
hrough the creative use of this industrial material, the Eameses sought a strong, flexible product capable of taking on myriad shapes and forms. These experiments
included the construction of a special machine for molding the plywood, However, this work led to the Eames’ important contribution to the war effort. They received a contract from the U.S. Navy to develop lightweight,mass-produced molded plywood leg splints
INFLUeNCES AND INSPIRATION F
rom lounge chairs to textiles and housing, the Eameses were passionate about designing
pieces that could be easily and cheaply produced by machines. Charles once defined his design philosophy as: good design must be practical, functional and easy to live with. As a result, we offer furniture designed by icons or produced by family-owned businesses to ensure quality and timeless beauty for your home.
Frankie Pellegrini GC 239 Adobe InDesign CS 5.5 Adobe Photoshop CS 5.5 Adobe Illustrator CS 5.5 Ringling College of Art + Design FALL 2011
designmuseum.org/design/charles-ray-eames hermanmiller.com/Designers/Eames www.loc.gov/exhibits/eames/