Whimsical Works: The Playful Designs of Charles and Ray Eames

July 22 through September 11, 2005

Opening Reception Event

Charles and Ray Eames		Ray Eames and the Toy Image
	HOC Image

This exhibition features toys, children's furniture, and whimsical films by
Charles and Ray Eames, a lesser-known aspect of the work of this famous husband
and wife design team, who introduced molded-plywood and plastic furniture to
America during the 1940s. These designs will demonstrate the Eames' playful
approach to serious things and their serious approach to playful things. "Toys
are not really as innocent as they look," Charles explained. "Toys and games
are the preludes to serious ideas."

"Whimsical Works" focuses on six of the designers' imaginative endeavors: two
of their structural building toys, The Toy and the House of Cards; their plywood
children's furniture; and three short films, Tops, Toccata for Toy Trains, and
Kaleidoscope Jazz Chair. Augmenting the presentation will be photographs taken
by Charles Eames and his office, from the Library of Congress, which will chronicle
the history and creation of these objects.

The exhibition is in cooperation with the Eames office and students in the Halpern-Rogath Curatorial Seminar supported by the Department of the History of Art. The seminar, taught by Professor George H. Marcus, is part of the Masters of Liberal Arts Program of the College of General Studies.