Design
September 18, 2012
By Amy Feezor
Furniture designs by Ray and Charles Eames are instantly recognizable — think Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Eames Molded Plastic Armchair, Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair — but the design they crafted for films, exhibitions, toys, advertisements, brochures, and posters are the focus of a new exhibit in London, “Addressing the Need: The Graphic Design of the Eames Office.”
Spotlighting Eames-made material never exhibited before (much of it rare), this show at the PM Gallery and House takes a look at the creative process the pair — and architect and a painter — used to meet the needs of each design project they undertook. (“Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design,” Charles once said.) The exhibition runs through November 3. Per the Eames Office, plans are in the works to bring the show to Santa Monica at the end of 2013.
Get details at ealing.gov.uk. For an insightful video overview from the BBC featuring Charles and Ray’s grandson Eames Demetrios and curator Carol Swords, visit bbc.co.uk.
Image: hermanmiller.com/discover
Design
August 27, 2012
By Amy Feezor
Since the days of George Nelson, graphic design has been a vital part of the Herman Miller culture — which is why we’re delighted that Brooklyn designer and illustrator Mike Perry‘s one-of-a-kind hand-painted Eames Molded Plastic Chair helps welcome visitors just near the entrance of Graphic Design—Now in Production, an exhibition co-organized by Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and the Walker Art Center. Currently on display at New York City’s Governors Island, the show explores the state of graphic design today, looking at genres ranging from books, newspapers, and magazines, to branding, film and television, and posters (a topic near and dear to our hearts this summer). If you’re in the area, the show is on for one more week, and admission is free. Get details here, and in the meantime, check out a few photos from our recent visit. Read more
Balance
August 14, 2012
By Amy Feezor
Lucky enough to be in Melbourne, Australia, for today’s opening of Then X Ten? Here’s our guide to what to see and do in the surrounding area — famous for its food, fantastic coffee, hole-in-the wall bars, galleries, and laneways — before or after taking in the new exhibition celebrating the power of the poster at the fortyfivedownstairs gallery (45 Flinders Lane, 9662 9966, fortyfivedownstairs.com). Read more