Charles and Ray Eames, Aluminum chair
Charles (1907-1978) and Ray (1912-1988) Eames left their mark on the history of 20th century design, accompanying its transition to mass production by continuing the work undertaken by Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto.
In 1925, Charles Eames began studying architecture, which he interrupted after two years of boredom. Four years later, he traveled to Europe, where he enthusiastically discovered the innovative work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. Upon his return to the United States, he opened his own architectural practice and worked on several occasions in partnership with the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. It was with Eliel's son, Eero Saarinen, that he would win his first design prize, awarded by the Museum of Modern Art in New York following an organic design competition.
In 1938, encouraged by Eliel Saarinen, Charles Eames resumed his studies in architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he quickly became a professor of industrial design. There he met Ray Kaiser, a painting student who would become his assistant and then his wife in 1941.
The couple settled in Venice, California, where they created various film sets for the MGM studio. It was in this context that they perfected their technique of molding and bending plywood, drawing on the technical innovations of Alvar Aalto. In 1942, during the Second World War, the American Navy subsidized them to further develop their know-how, useful in ships and submarines. Following this, they created their own company, Evans Products, to distribute their own creations. It was a commercial failure, but the company allowed them to meet the entrepreneur Herman Miller, in 1946 - three years later, the Eames couple's furniture met with their first success.
The Aluminum Chair has become a landmark piece of contemporary design through its highly innovative use of the textile/aluminum combination, which allowed the Eames family to invent a new aesthetic form.
Designed in 1958 for the villa of an American art collector, it proposed for the first time to do away with the classic seat shell in favor of a simple piece of fabric or leather stretched over a metal frame. Thanks to this simple idea, the Aluminium Chair adapts to each person's body while offering exceptional comfort.
EA 107 chair, in black leather, with 5-star base in chromed aluminum
Designer: Charles & Ray Eames
Publisher: Herman Miller
Dimensions: L 58 x D 59 x H 83 cm
Charles (1907-1978) and Ray (1012-1988) Eames left their mark on the history of 20th century design, accompanying its transition to mass production and continuing the work of Finnish designer-architect Alvar Aalto.
In 1925, Charles Eames began studying architecture, which he interrupted after two years of boredom. Four years later, he traveled to Europe where he enthusiastically discovered the innovative work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and du Corbusier. On his return to the United States, he opened his own architectural practice and worked several times in association with the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. It was with Eliel's son, Eero Saarinen, that he won his first design prize, awarded by the Museum of Modern Art in New York in an organic design competition.
In 1938, Charles Eames resumed his studies of architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Arts, where he quickly became a professor of industrial design, under the guidance of Eliel Saarinen. There he met Ray Kaiser, a painting student, who became his assistant and later his wife in 1941.
The couple moved to Venice, California, where they created various film sets for the MGM studio. It was here that they developed their technique for molding and bending plywood, using Alvar Aalto's technical innovations. In 1942, during the Second World War, the US Navy subsidized them to further develop their know-how, useful in boats and submarines. Afterwards, they created their own company, Evans Products, to distribute their own creations. It was a commercial failure, but the company allowed them to meet entrepreneur Herman Miller in 1946 - three years later, the Eames' furniture was their first success.
The Aluminum Chair, became a landmark piece of furniture in contemporary design through the very innovative use of the textile/aluminium couple, which allowed the Eames to invent a new aesthetic form.
Designed in 1958 for the villa of an American art collector, it proposes for the first time to make the classic seat shell disappear in favor of a simple piece of fabric or leather stretched over a metal frame. Thanks to this simple idea, the Aluminum Chair adapts itself to the body of each person by offering an exceptional comfort.
EA 107 Chair, in black leather, with 5-branch base in chromed aluminum
Designer: Charles & Ray Eames
Publisher: Herman Miller
Dimensions: W 58 x D 59 x H 83 cm