Essential Eames: Words & Pictures

by Eames Demetrios (Director of Museum), Charles Eames (Contributor), Ray Eames (Contributor)

Pairing words of design wisdom with classic works, Essential Eames encapsulates the duo's achievements Charles and Ray Eames are among the most influential designers of the 20th century. Enthusiastic and tireless experimenters, this beloved husband-and-wife duo moved fluidly between the fields of photography, film, architecture, exhibition-making and furniture and product design. The Eames Office was a hub of activity where the Eameses and their collaborators produced an array of pioneering designs, communicating their ideas with a boundless creativity that defined their careers. The Eameses embraced the joy of trial and error and approached design as a way of life. From personal letters, photographs, drawings and artwork, to their products, models, multimedia installations and furniture, Essential Eames includes not only some of the designs for which they are best known, but provides an insight into the lives of the Eameses, the Eames Office and the breadth of their pioneering work, bringing their ideas and playful spirit to life.

Genres: Architecture, Design

239 pages, Hardcover

Published November 21, 2017

About the author

Eames Demetrios is an author, filmmaker and artist.

His most recent book is Kcymaerxthaere: The Story So Far... (Folio 1). It is the latest expression of a 15 year project (and very much ongoing) known as Kcymaerxthaere, a global and multi pronged work of 3 dimensional (and more) storytelling. Manifestations include writings, video, performances, images, installation, limited edition prints and more (www.kcymaerxthaere.com)

Published at the very end of 2017, it is a compendium of the first 138 (more or less) installations. Presenting them first visually and then in text only form--and for the first time in story order. There will be numerous events around this release in 2018--watch the events section.

There have been other Kcymaerxthaere books, including two travel guides. Volume 4 concerns what we would call linear Europe. Volume 6 concerned sites in the linear US.

Demetrios' best known book is An Eames Primer, a thematic biography of legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames (who were also his grandparents), which is now into its 2nd edition and multiple printings.

His work is in a number of private collections and that of University of Georgia. His film and video works have shown at numerous museums and festivals: Library of Congress, Gulbenkian (Portugal), Smithsonian Institution, MOCA (LA), LACMA (LA), Meguro Art Museum (Tokyo), Film Forum (LA), Sundance Film Festival, Cairo Film Festival, and dozens more.

Demetrios has worn a number of different hats since graduating from Harvard, including multimedia work, consulting, exhibition design, and his ongoing role as director of the Eames Office.

In addition to his 10 books, Demetrios has contributed to many more and gives talks internationally (in 50 countries spanning 6 continents). He has made over 70 films and videos of various lengths over the past 30 years or so. Themes and topics include a fiction feature on homelessness, a documentary on Sambo Mockbee’s Rural Studio, and the Malibu/Old Topanga Fire. Demetrios continues to lecture frequently on many topics, ranging from design to science, from scale and sustainability to his own work. He lives in southern California with his wife and children.

Reviews

[Tim Belonax · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-designed selection of quotes and images from Ray and Charles Eames. The footnotes are not to be missed at the end for those interested in a deeper dive.

[Niko Lavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book signed by Eames Demetrios at an Interiors Summit in collaboration with the Eames Office which featured a few famous architects and designers such as Ed Calma. Eames told me to pay particular attention to pages 60, 76, and 148. I had spoken to him a few hours earlier regarding art and design but we also spoke of personal things such as personal adjustment to change. He found out I was taking medicine as a course and consequently told me to pay special attention to pages 60, 76, and 148. Page 76 tells me that “Of almost importance is the learning from primary experiences.” Felt oddly personal and strange reading that in the circumstances that I find myself in nowadays.

[An. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, not a traditional 'monograph', just a collection of photos and quotes from them.
The quotes really reflect the essence of their work and ideas on a variety of topics.
The book itself is nicely built and designed.