Catch ‘The World of Charles and Ray Eames’ at the End of its Tour in Oakland

Beginning October 13 and running until February 17, 2019, The World of Charles and Ray Eames exhibit will make its final stop at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). It provides a comprehensive survey of the couple's entire career, thanks to more than 380 works that include multimedia installations, intimate photographs, and rare prototypes. The interactive exhibit aims to showcase the breadth and range of the couple's work across various fields, ultimately bringing their "ideas and playful spirit to life."

Charles (1907-1978) and Ray (1912-1988) Eames were a husband-and-wife design powerhouse, primarily known for their significant contributions to modern architecture, furniture design, industrial design, and manufacturing. The couple married in 1941 and moved to California, and their legacy has since become intertwined with the state. 

"Ray and Charles Eames have changed the world of design, creating beautiful work that is both stylish and functional in our everyday lives," said Carin Adams, curator of art and OMCA exhibition curator. "As a museum whose mission is to ‘inspire all Californians to create a more vibrant future for themselves and their communities,’ there’s no better example than this dynamic duo, who represent the quintessential California story." 

The exhibit spans the couple's origin story, then dives into their collaborative approach, experimental thought processes, and personal philosophies. It will also include a screening of the newly-restored Glimpses of the USA, their 1959 film produced for the USSR-USA cultural exchange, wherein the United States Information Agency (U.S.I.A.) commissioned the Eames Office to recreate "a day in the life of the United States" at the time.

We asked OMCA curator Carin Adams to tell us more about what we can expect from the exhibit.

In your view, how have the Eameses impacted modern design, and why does their work still matter today?

They helped define the field as we know it. They expanded the field of design beyond objects and into the realm of experience and ideas. What they started helped connect the field of design to whatever the relevant issues of the day are, and that's an ongoing, compelling way to think about the field of design. It isn't just about making the next project or chair—it's about problem-solving. 

"They expanded the field of design beyond objects and into the realm of experience and ideas." —Carin Adams, curator

What new understanding of the Eameses and their work do you foresee people taking away from this exhibit?

I'm hoping people will be surprised by the range of their work. The way that their curiosity took them in so many different directions, and what innovators they were about communication and problem-solving. I'm not sure if people realize how connected their life and work were—for instance, people who know their furniture don’t always know that they were filmmakers. Many don't realize that they make toys. The film and photography are a big part of their legacy, and I think that may be pleasantly surprising to a lot of people.   

Is there anything that people will see (or learn) in this exhibit that they haven't before? 

The newly restored Glimpses of the USA film. This is the first presentation of this version of the film. Again, the variety of mediums in which they worked—from sculpture to photography to furniture design to multimedia experiences—will be new and unexpected to many.  

This exhibit seems both comprehensive and immersive—why does this approach work so well for understanding the Eameses' body of work?

I don't think they ever made anything in isolation from the world around them. That was a big goal of the exhibition team to make sure that people could feel that and experience it for themselves, to put themselves in that process. 

What is your favorite piece in the exhibit and why? 

My favorite piece is actually more of a philosophy than an object. At the beginning of the exhibition, there's a graphic reproduction of a drawing that Charles made talking about their design philosophy. It displays the interests of the designers and the client, and the thing that brings everything together is the philosophy of social good. 

This is a common thread through all of their projects and something that they applied to all of their work. They were passionately pursuing their own designs and interests to problem solve for a client, whether it was a toy or low-cost furniture for all. The underlying theme was that they should serve a social good. I hope people will come away with an understanding of this philosophy.  

The World of Charles and Ray Eames will be on view in OMCA’s Great Hall October 13, 2018 through February 27, 2019. There is a $4 charge for this special exhibition in addition to regular museum admission. 

The World of Charles and Ray Eames was curated and organized by Barbican Art Gallery, London. The Oakland Museum of California presentation is made possible by Herman Miller and the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, in collaboration with the Barbican Art Gallery and Eames Office, with support from Terra Foundation.