Some of us will never understand the merits of an overpriced chair; but a well-designed one—that’s another story. Although the legendary Eames chairs on sale today are mass-produced by chairmakers Herman Miller with rather inaccessible prices, this exhibition will cost you almost next to nothing for a lowdown of the rich history behind their creations.
Sure, the main bit of the exhibition (and the highlight for most people) is the section where most of Ray and Charles Eames’ creations are exhibited, but Essential Eames: A Herman Miller Exhibition is so much more than that. “The Eames legacy is that of creativity in design which transcends boundaries, philosophies and even time itself,” says ArtScience Museum’s Associate Director Ross Leo. “And the exhibition is a fitting reflection of their substantial contributions.” Eames Demetrios, who grew up with the couple and is also Director of the Eames office as well as curator of the exhibition, echoes Leo’s sentiments. “We want to introduce people to the breadth, pleasure and richness of the Eames’ work,” he says. “We want to share some of the beautiful ideas behind their work, ideas that are not simply vehicles for the creation of objects but for everyday living. The exhibition embodies that spirit.”
Certainly, the Eames experience transcends beyond just objects of desires. Visitors will get a sneak peek into the design process behind the Eames chairs through the “Exploded Lounge Chair” exhibit where every bolt and nut of an Eames creation is broken down ala Damien Hirst’s “Mother and Child Divided”; while fans of both still and moving images can get their fix of hundreds of photographs which depict both their lives and working processes throughout their artistic journeys together. While the couple’s cinematic work, notably the groundbreaking short film Powers of Ten, which depicts the magnitude of the universe based on a factor of ten, is a hypnotic visual delight. And for those seeking a more interactive experience, there are also various installations, our favorite being the entertaining Moebius Band playstation. Design fans meanwhile can look out for the various Eames collaborative posters over the years, including a notable one by Japan’s Keiichi Tanaami, who infused their works with a hip, psychedelic edge.
Thirty years on, the works of Ray and Charles remain as relevant and revolutionary as ever.
Essential Eames: A Herman Miller Exhibition is on through Jan 5, 2014. at the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands. $8-15.
