Eames Institute's online exhibition narrates the duo’s collaboration with Saul Steinberg

The various works of Charles and Ray Eames, renowned American designers of the 20th century, continue to inspire admirers. Their unforeseen approach to design, from furniture to residential architecture, remains influential even today. The Eames Institute, a non-profit organisation, works diligently to preserve and share their remarkable body of work. In their new online exhibition, the institute explores the creative collaboration between the Eames and Romanian-American artist Saul Steinberg.The exhibition, opened for digital viewing opened on June 14, 2023, and is called ‘Steinberg Meets the Eameses’. Incidentally, June 17, 2023, marks Charles Eames’ 150th birth anniversary.

Following the passing of Charles and Ray Eames, the Eames family took on the responsibility of safeguarding their design legacy. The original Eames Office at 901 Washington in Venice, California, became the headquarters of the Eames Collection, comprising thousands of artefacts that offer insight into the Eames' design process and their diverse interests. The Eames Institute diligently catalogues and preserves the collection, making it accessible to the public through online and temporary exhibitions. Their digital platform, The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, brings digital showcases delving into the fascinating life and design journey of the husband-wife duo.

Saul Steinberg gained fame in the 1940s for his concise and impactful visual commentary. He had connections with New York publications and contributed anti-fascist propaganda during the World War II. Steinberg's work eventually expanded beyond commercial commissions, while he embraced a cartoonish approach. By the late 1940s, he was a prominent figure in New York’s intellectual and artistic circles. Steinberg's keen observation of America's changing cultural landscape is evident in his book "The Art of Living" as is his critique of modernist design. Parallelly, by 1950, Charles and Ray Eames had solidified their position as renowned modernist. Engulfed in a whirlwind of diverse projects, from furniture and graphics to architecture and exhibitions, their creativity thrived in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. The couple's prominence attracted connections with influential figures from different fields, continually fueling their artistic endeavours. Their momentous encounter with Steinberg resulted in an extraordinary collaboration, becoming a beacon of modernist thought. This alliance further exemplified the Eameses' ability to push boundaries and embrace limitless possibilities, establishing their legacy as innovative designers who constantly sought out new realms of creativity.

The exhibition explores the narrative of Saul Steinberg's journey to the West Coast following a failed Hollywood project, which eventually led to his encounter with Charles and Ray. It highlights the renowned artworks that emerged from their collaborative day at the Eames Office, notably the well-known chair adorned with a cat, and another chair depicting a painted nude figure. The Eames Shell Chairs, launched in 1950, revolutionised mass-produced seating with their one-piece plastic shell design. Steinberg saw the potential in this innovation, using the chairs as canvases for his drawings and experimenting with three-dimensional surfaces, presenting ironic juxtapositions. The Eames Collection also features Steinberg's fake yet elaborate diploma presented to Charles Eames, alongside captivating photographs capturing Steinberg's peculiar drawings projected onto Hedda Sterne and Ray Eames portraying complexities of identity. June 14, the exhibition’s opening date coincides with the launch of the recreated ‘Eames Fiberglass Armchair with the Steinberg Cat’, produced by Vitra and Herman Miller. Within the Eames Collection, the Eames Institute showcases two original Steinberg-painted chairs, thus preserving their significance.

In conjunction with the online exhibition, the Eames Institute also aims to unveil a special edition book that delves deeper into the relationship between Steinberg and the Eameses. This book meticulously chronicles the extraordinary creative discourse that unfolded, as well as extensive documentation of the original painted chairs, and a rich assortment of Steinberg and Eames-related artefacts and ephemera. Complemented by archival photographs, artworks, and an essay penned by esteemed Steinberg scholar and curator Francesca Pellicciari, the book provides valuable insights into the profound impact these visionaries had on each other's artistic journeys. “Steinberg was ever-observant of America’s changing cultural landscape,” writes Pellicciari, “and seemed to delight in the widening gulf between popular tastes and the vanguard of modernist art and design.”

The enduring legacy of Charles and Ray Eames continues to inspire designers and enthusiasts alike, as seen through Return to Sender, a previous exhibition that peeks into the duo’s love for images and postcards.

Through the Eames Institute's preservation efforts and online showcases, their remarkable body of work has been made accessible to the public. The collaboration between Charles and Ray Eames, and Steinberg further epitomised their shared ability to push boundaries and challenge conventions, embracing creativity that surpassed expectations.

(Text by Aatmi Chitalia, intern at STIR)