Charles & Ray Eames, the pioneers of modernism
A couple of visionaries, a dynamic duo of design revolutionaries in the movement of modernism. Charles & Ray Eames are the names behind some of the most widely recognized designs of the 20th century .
This is an undated photo of American architect and designer Charles Eames and his wife and partner Ray Eames. The location is not known. An exhibition of their work opens at the Library of Congress on May 20, 1999. The exhibit displays examples from over a million items of Eames’ works such as the fiber-glass stacked chair and the laid-back lounger-with-ottoman. The husband and wife team created a variety of things that they insisted could be useful and beautiful at the same time, from children’s toys to their film “Powers of 10.” All in all pioneers of modernism. (AP Photo)
“The chair is king in the exhibition New Furniture Designed by Charles Eames opening at the Museum of Modern Art Wednesday March 13. But not the ordinary chair. The exhibition will present the greatest innovation in chair design since Marcel Breuer startled the furniture world with his metal chair”. This is the exact opening paragraph of the press release MoMA sent in March 1946 announcing the opening of its exhibition about Eames. An architect and designer that shaped modernism with his dynamic and revolutionary ideas.
Plywood, an unknown material
After years of experimenting and practicing with plywood, Charles & Ray Eames perfected the techniques of molding it into complex curves. This led to the creation of the DCM, the first “Eames Chair”. The one that almost instantly stood out of the plywood furniture collection that was showcased at MoMA in 1946. A true symbol of innovation and creativity it became almost instantly the favorite of a nation obsessed with both. Conceptual, new and “value for money” it had it all. A design that shaped modernism.
Thinking “Out of the box”
Right after plywood there came fiberglass. The couple introduced their fiberglass armchairs that soon became an icon. Until today, they are the epitome of the optimism and the innovative spirit that shook mid century’s design culture, a true symbol of the American 50s and the movement of modernism. Thanks to their breakthrough shape and materials’ use they paved the way for “out of the box” thinking and they continue to inspire designers up to present day.
