Eames Foundation

 

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Liz X.

Chicago, IL

5/9/2007 6 photos

Whether you know it or not, all of our lives have been touched by Charles and Ray Eames, the respected architect/designer couple who reigned during the mid-century Modernism era.  If, like me, you frequented public libraries in the early 80s or ever sat in tandem row seating while waiting at the airport for a flight, your behind has certainly been touched by the Eames: they are famous for the form as function, molded plywood and plastic chairs.  I'll know I've made it when I finally own an Eames lounge chair.

The Eames House was one of 25 "case study" projects overseen by the then publisher of an arts and architecture magazine.  "The magazine announced that it would be a the client for a series of architect-design homes to be built and furnished using techniques and materials derived from the experiences of the second World War and best suited to express man's life in the modern world (taken from the the Eames House pamphlet). "  

I believe that it is the Eames' committment to art, creativity, and social relativity that has continued to make the Eames' designs and objects part of our collective consciousness.  You still see their actual designs and influences everywhere!  The house is yet another example of this: form, function, and art.  They used pre-fab materials ordered off-the-shelf to create their beloved abode.  The couple wanted to extend the house out into the meadow, but decided against it in the end because they loved the meadow out front too much and felt that building upon it would destroy the nature surrounding them: a far cry from some SoCal residents who want to tear down historic Neutra houses to build their garish gold mansions.  

Although you are not allowed into the actual house, they leave some of the doors open and entire sides of the house consists of windows so you are certainly welcome to peek in; you just sort of feel like a voyeur.  You can also walk out onto the meadow and behold the gorgeous spectacle of a view that the Eames had.  It doesn't take too much of your time to explore the outer edges of this sanctuary, but the inspiration and thoughtfulness behind the creation of this domicile will leave an impression on you.  

Other info:
- call the above number to make a reservation
- $5 suggested donation
- you park on Corona del Mar (the next street up), directions are on their website

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doug c.

Los Angeles, CA

10/14/2007

I love Mid century modern and the Eames' are royalty in the American scene, so when I got a reservation to see their house, I was thrilled.
My problem is more with the tall, thin, twenty something year old snob who gave us a curt, hostile welcome....
He actually ruined the experience for me.  
First, he asked how much we knew of Eames. I mentioned I was more familiar with their  furniture than the houses and that I owned an Eames Lounge chair. He wasn't impressed, rolled his eyes and said, "well, I'll have to tell you the whole story then, since you obviously don't know anything about the Eames" ok, ok sorry,,,feeling a little embarrassed and inferior he pontificated about all sorts of very obvious things, "you'll notice there is a gold leaf panel over the door, that's so you know where the door is" (oh...we pretended to be impressed, as if without the gold panel, one would attempt to walk through any piece of wall assuming it was a door...).
Any casual mention or question I raised was met with annoyance and dismissal, as if I were a Philistine. me:"oh, I hadn't realized that the Eames and the Saarinen's were close friends. I always thought of them to be contemporaries and rivals" Tour Guide: "rolls eyes, squints at me in contempt and boredom and says {annoyed} "what?!" no, of course "Duh! they were friends "HELLO!!???.or at least that's how it seemed...
Ok, Now I'm afraid to say ANYTHING for fear of humiliation, but, I cannot resist. I say :"How did Eames feel about so many knock offs of their designs?"
This question seems to have offended our dear tour guide and confirmed in him his suspicion that I was suffering from a brain injury.
He claimed there were no Eames knock offs until very recently, and they had been dead for many years before anyone knocked  them off....hmmm...apparently the tour guide has never been on eBay or to the Rose Bowl Flea MKT and seen all of the items made in the 60's and 70's.....
That dude, who is probably a volunteer, should be payed to go away and the Eames foundation would do better to hire people with less obvious contempt for general public....What a DICK!!!
oh well, me and my friend had a great afternoon making fun of his bitchiness...."don't touch that!"

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