Future generations of designers, entrepreneurs and leaders can now access the work of two of the best-known designers of all time, as the new non-profit organization, the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, brings lessons from the great Ray and Charles Eames to those seeking to solve today’s toughest problems.
With seed funding from Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and led by President and CEO John Cary and Chief Curator Llisa Demetrios (the granddaughter of Ray and Charles themselves), the institute will demonstrate the love of the mid-century modern giants of discovery through a wide range of ephemera from the couple’s work and personal archives; ‘assemblage’ has made up tens of thousands of objects ranging from prototypes and handmade furniture components to display items and folk art from around the world.
Taken from the duo’s legendary workplace at 901 Washington Boulevard in Venice, California, and acquired from the Eames family in 2019, this extensive collection is now cataloged, curated, photographed and made available to the public for the very first time.
The extensive virtual archive and gallery provides access to the works of deceased designers for everyone, offering solutions for those seeking to solve today’s toughest problems through archival exhibitions, storytelling miscellaneous, live events and other programs. “Being able to share Ray and Charles’ legacy in this way, showcasing their incredible process and broad design vision, is a lifelong dream,” says Llisa Demetrios. “I hope the Institute’s efforts will help people find inspiration to solve problems in their own world.”
Three online exhibitions kick off: Piece 01, Before they were the Eames; Exhibit 02, Plywood during the warand Exhibit 03, The form follows the wordingeach focusing on unique themes based on different areas of the vast and inspiring collection.
Photograph courtesy of the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity.
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