Visual impact: Nothing says modernist perfection like an Eames design The creative duoCharles Eames (1907 1978)andRay Kaiser Eames (1912 1988)transformed the visual character of America. Though best known for their furniture, the husband and wife team were also forerunners in architecture, textile design, photography, and film.The Eames work defined anew, multifunctional modernity, exemplary for its integration of craft and design, as well as for the use of modern materials, notablyplywood and plastics.The Eames Lounge Chair Wood, designed with molded plywood technology, became a defining furniture piece of the twentieth century, while the couple s contribution to theCase Study Housesproject not only made inventive use of industrial materials but also developed anadaptable floor plan of multipurpose spaceswhich would become ahallmark of postwar modern architecture.From the couple s earliest furniture experiments to their seminal short filmPowers of Ten, this book covers all the aspects of the illustrious Eames repertoire and itsrevolutionary impact on middle-class American living. About the Series: Each book in TASCHEN s Basic Architecture Series features: an introduction to the life and work of the architect the major works in chronological order information about the clients, architectural preconditions as well as construction problems and resolutions a list of all the selected works and a map indicating the locations of the best and most famous buildings approximately 120 illustrations (photographs, sketches, drafts and plans) "
If you only know of Charles & Ray Eames from their iconic lounge chair, this book provides a good primer on their backgrounds and contributions to not only furniture but also house design, exhibitions, corporate projects, and films. The Eames Lounge Chair : An Icon of Modern Design by Eidelberg/Kirkham/Hine provides a much deeper dive into the title subject.
A very enjoyable primer of the American design duo Ray and Charles Eames who almost single-handedly defined Mid-Century Modern. Well produced on high quality paper, however some of the drawing illustrations were too small to see pertinent details, as if this were set for a larger format then shrunk down.
This book was a good reminder to acknowledge all the wisdom gained by your predecessors, to be willing to experiment with what you know, and that creativity has momentum.
I sought out to read this book to just learn the history of their careers, but I ended up getting getting a refreshing take on the winding journey that life took them on in their self-directed work in addition to their commissioned work. Inspiring and definitely worth a read for the design history buff.
I'm disappointed to have found some incorrect statements in this overview of the Eames couple. Shame on you, Taschen. Otherwise, I thought this book relied too much on the writings of Eames Demetrios. Despite all that, love Charles & Ray.