Eames (Basic Art)

Taschen Basic Architecture

by Gloria Koenig, Peter Gössel (Editor)

The creative duo Charles Eames (1907–1978) and Ray Kaiser Eames (1912–1988) transformed the visual character of America. Though best known for their furniture, the husband and wife team were also forerunners in architecture, textile design, photography, and film.

The Eameses’ work defined a new, multifunctional modernity, exemplary for its integration of craft and design, as well as for the use of modern materials, notably plywood and plastics. The Eames Lounge Chair Wood, designed with molded plywood technology, became a defining furniture piece of the 20th century, while the couple’s contribution to the Case Study Houses project not only made inventive use of industrial materials but also developed an adaptable floor plan of multipurpose spaces which would become a hallmark of postwar modern architecture.

From the couple’s earliest furniture experiments to their seminal short film Powers of Ten, this book covers all the aspects of the illustrious Eames repertoire and its revolutionary impact on middle-class American living.

Genres: Design, Architecture, Art, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Art Design

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Kristin]

If you only know of Charles & Ray Eames from their iconic lounge chair, this book provides a good primer on their backgrounds and contributions to not only furniture but also house design, exhibitions, corporate projects, and films.
The Eames Lounge Chair : An Icon of Modern Design by Eidelberg/Kirkham/Hine provides a much deeper dive into the title subject.

[Aabha Sharma]

These two are such an inspirational couple. Can see their zest for design in everything they touched. Love their philosophy of “serious fun”

[Kevin]

A very enjoyable primer of the American design duo Ray and Charles Eames who almost single-handedly defined Mid-Century Modern. Well produced on high quality paper, however some of the drawing illustrations were too small to see pertinent details, as if this were set for a larger format then shrunk down.

[Kathy]

a bit dry but interesting stuff

[Ron]

How can you NOT enjoy reading and seeing the work of these two brilliant designers?

[Quinn]

Coffee table book? Yes.
Great coffee table book? Yes.

God Bless Charles and Ray Eames.

[TJ Lippert]

This book was a good reminder to acknowledge all the wisdom gained by your predecessors, to be willing to experiment with what you know, and that creativity has momentum.

I sought out to read this book to just learn the history of their careers, but I ended up getting getting a refreshing take on the winding journey that life took them on in their self-directed work in addition to their commissioned work. Inspiring and definitely worth a read for the design history buff.

[Wilde Sky]

The lives of a designer couple are reviewed.

I found some parts of this book interesting.

Reading time around one hour.

[Mitch Mitchell]

quarantine read #3

[Ew Lake]

Nice, though very basic, overview of their life and work together.

[Rob Curry]

Interesting synopsis of the life of Charles & Ray Eames. As a fan of their furniture work with the Herman Miller Company, I wanted to learn more about their history and this book delivered. It would’ve been nice to go into more detail during certain sections of the book, but overall it was a great time capsule spanning their careers from college, the furniture, to Mathamatica, to films. Great coffee table book and quick read for any mid-century modern fan or someone with an interest in architecture.

[Leigh Anne]

This slim book is a great introduction to the major projects of Ray & Charles Eames, as well as a thumbnail biography of same. This is the first work I've consulted that describes their films in detail; said films sound kind of amazing, and I'll be hunting those up for certain. Loads of gorgeous photos and a bibliography for further reading. It's also worth pointing out that Ray Eames looks happy/engaged in every single photo in which she appears, which makes me even more curious about her.

[Sebastian]

Hard to review this as a book from a purely reading perspective. Great pictures, fairly minimal text. Engaging, but not particularly deep with respect to analysis or background. Looking forward to reading a bit more of an in-depth study at some point.

[Brian Kovesci]

I'm disappointed to have found some incorrect statements in this overview of the Eames couple. Shame on you, Taschen.
Otherwise, I thought this book relied too much on the writings of Eames Demetrios.
Despite all that, love Charles & Ray.

[Ralph Zoontjens]

A nice introduction to the lives of Ray and Charles Eames and their journey towards changing design and manufacturing in the United States. For anyone who hasn't been, it is definitely worth visiting their house in L.A. which is still there completely in tact.

[Dan]

A nice little book about Charles and Ray Eames. Nothing mind-blowing but a good little introduction probably on par with that PBS documentary about them.

[jw468]

This is an overview of the Eames's career. Like most of the other books in this series, it's well-illustrated and written by someone who knows the subject well.

[Ralph Zoontjens]

Very good book about arguably one of the greatest innovators of the 20th century.

[Malikaa]

Prima Buch für den Einstieg, nur fand ich den Aufbau etwas seltsam.