Summary
- Open to the public on June 7, the Eames Institute and SHVO will launch its first-ever public installation outside of the Eames Archive.
- Located at San Francisco landmark, the Transamerica Pyramid Center, the exhibition will coincide with San Francisco Design Week.
The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity has partnered with SHVO and the Transamerica Pyramid Center to unveil its first-ever public installation outside of the Eames Archive during San Francisco Design Week.
Past as Prologue highlights Ray and Charles Eames‘ seminal works, created between 1968 and 1978, the final decade of their close collaboration. The period in focus coincides with the timeframe of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid Center’s completion, which was furnished with various original Eames pieces in its offices. Michael Shvo, Chairman and CEO of SHVO shared, “Like the Eameses innovations, the Transamerica Pyramid was a design ahead of its time when it opened in 1972.”
Marked by an ethos of continuous refinement rather than disruptive reinvention, the Eameses spent the decade optimizing their designs for durability and modularity as Herman Miller and Vitra shifted focus toward contract office markets. On a material level, the Eameses’ palette evolved from mainly plywood and fiberglass to injection-molded plastics and polyurethane. On a formal level, ergonomic comfort became increasingly important as the nature of work transformed.
While showing present-day classics, like their ubiquitous shell chairs and leather loungers, the collection also includes designs that the public has rarely witnessed. Llisa Demetrios, granddaughter of the Eameses and chief curator, said, “As an often overlooked era of my grandparents’ designs, it felt imperative to uncover some ephemera that isn’t always highlighted, hence choosing some of their lesser-known pieces.” “It was exhilarating bringing out pieces that were created within my lifetime, I’m happy to bring each of these to light in a new way through this exhibit.” In addition to the special exhibition, the newly renovated Transamerica Pyramid Center will host a program of events honoring the California city’s storied design legacy.
Past as Prologue will open to the public at the Transamerica Pyramid Center on June 7. Visit the official Eames Institute events page for more details.
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