Charles and Ray Eames were fascinated by elephants. Many images of these gentle giants are found in Charles’ photographic documentations of Indian culture and the circus world. Designed in 1945, the Plywood Elephant is a kids’ chair doubling as sculptural object. Only two prototypes were produced, both of which were subsequently displayed in an exhibition at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Today only one known model remains in the possession of the Eames Family. A limited anniversary edition of the elepant was produced by Vitra in 2007 to commemorate Charles Eames’ 100th birthday.
The Vitra Design Museum collections evolved from modest beginnings in the 1980s to become one of the world’s most important collections of modern furniture. In 1989, the collections included some 1000 objects. In the years since, they have grown to encompass approximately 6000 pieces and cover nearly all areas of furniture for everyday use: seating for the home, children’s furniture, interior concepts for cooperative living, office furnishings and, finally, modern forms of nomadic living.
Poster for the release of Motomi Kawakami’s NT chair in 1977
Kunihiko Morinaga Store Furniture
Vignelli Associates for Knoll International
Massimo Vignelli and wife Lella served as graphic and advertising design consultants to Knoll during the 1970s. They championed a graphic design for Knoll, which made them famous worldwide, and which continues to inform the company’s work. Mr.Vignelli once described the Knoll assignment as “the most exciting, rewarding” of his professional career.
dat Nakashima
