Eames house bird story

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As the story goes, in the s Charles and Ray Eames pulled a piece of folk art - a simplistic black bird - from their own living room and styled it into a photograph with a group of Eames DKR chairs. The Eames' House Bird rose to fame and the rest is history. This iconic black bird circa with tapered beak and sleek tail was one of their most prized objects of folk art. In cooperation with the Eames family, design powerhouse Vitra used 3-D scans of the original to create the solid alder wood reproduction. Current Stock:.

Eames house bird story

Main building of Case Study House no. One of 26 'Case Study Houses' that became finished homes, the program was designed to fuse new and progressive architecture with real need for inexpensive housing in the post war USA. The construction was essentially two separate boxes, made from a combination of steel frame, glass, panels and a concrete base. Some remark on the visual design of the building as having influences from the works of Mondrian , the 20th century Dutch artist with the distinctive style. Others are quick to point out the similarity of the design to that of the ESU , the storage range that housed customized colored panels, cross struts and a frame of steel. The two structures consisted of living quarters and a working studio, a remarkably insightful feature that encouraged the separation of one from one's work yet enabled it to be close enough as to never stem the tide of inspiration, whenever it may occur. Whilst we may never know the full extent of the work produced at the house studio, as opposed to the nearby Venice site of the original Eames Office , it is safe to say that a good degree of Charles and Ray Eames legacy was undoubtedly produced there. It is one thing to create a house so unique, so minimalist, but it is certainly another task to turn that house into a home. What matters most is never the material, but the very souls of those whom reside in it, the people. The bits and pieces that they collect, create, or change over time, are not just objects or indeed visual clues of wealth, but the legacy and reflection of those that wanted to be surrounded by them. Visitors to the Eames House , commonly on a beautiful Southern California day, are greeted first by the structure itself, a house design so different huddled between the trees and the green of the gardens. Then they may pick out the famous furniture designs we all know and love, like the Eames Lounge Chair , or maybe the wooden DCM or stacking side chair.

The Gold Leaf Bird was something of an enigma, an instant universal hit, drawing in the collectors and enthusiasts the world over, selling out as quick as the flutter of wings.

This husband and wife team from Henry, Illinois, passed on their gun repair business to their son in the s and dedicated themselves to carving and painting bird decoys for hunters. A simple black bird Perdew carved around became a highly sought-after model by quite a different audience in the s, primarily for its minimal shape and dark color. It was popularized by Charles and Ray Eames, who acquired one on their travels in the Appalachian mountains. The wooden bird became a center piece of the Eames living room and soon started to make an appearance in many of their product photo-shoots. It can even be seen in a cover of the Architectural Review , a solid shape among a grid created by Eames chairs.

This husband and wife team from Henry, Illinois, passed on their gun repair business to their son in the s and dedicated themselves to carving and painting bird decoys for hunters. A simple black bird Perdew carved around became a highly sought-after model by quite a different audience in the s, primarily for its minimal shape and dark color. It was popularized by Charles and Ray Eames, who acquired one on their travels in the Appalachian mountains. The wooden bird became a center piece of the Eames living room and soon started to make an appearance in many of their product photo-shoots. It can even be seen in a cover of the Architectural Review , a solid shape among a grid created by Eames chairs. Realizing the broad appeal of this simple decorative piece, Vitra has recently started reproducing them by creating 3D scans of the original. However, unlike Perdew's versions, which were mostly carved out of pine, the Vitra version is made of solid alder with a black lacquer finish and steel wire legs. Its reappearance has brought the little black bird back to many mid-century inspired homes, where it often perches on top of furniture, elegant and unobtrusive at the same time. The Eames House Bird is made of solid alder with a black lacquer finish and steel wire legs. Image courtesy of Vitra.

Eames house bird story

Charles and Ray Eames enriched the collage-like interior of their private home, the Eames House, with numerous objects and accessories that they brought back from their travels. For over seventy years, the figure of a wooden bird has stood in the centre of the living room — an artefact that was evidently highly treasured by the couple, since it also appeared frequently as an accessory in photographs taken by Charles and Ray. In addition to the classic black lacquered version made of solid alder, the Eames House Bird is also available in walnut. The versions stained in dark green or pale rose are part of the Eames Special Collection and are only available until the end of January New products, limited editions, event invitations and much more. Skip to content.

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The construction was essentially two separate boxes, made from a combination of steel frame, glass, panels and a concrete base. Submit Review. It also frequently appeared in photographs taken at the Eames' house. A simple black bird Perdew carved around became a highly sought-after model by quite a different audience in the s, primarily for its minimal shape and dark color. If its pivotal position in the Eames House wasn't enough to showcase this admiration, Charles would utilize the bird as a prop, blending the wonderfully curved outline into artistic catalog photographs and brochures. The tactical increased marketability of the 'already desired' object as a limited piece is a winning combination that certainly appears to resonate with buyers and collectors. Acquired during their travels through the Appalachian mountain region of the eastern United States, the bird is an artefact of traditional American Folk Art. My Account Sign In. Semi-aniline Leather Black. Vitra began to reproduce the bird for the general market in a semi-matte black painted Adler wood.

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Address Line 2 optional :. The tactical increased marketability of the 'already desired' object as a limited piece is a winning combination that certainly appears to resonate with buyers and collectors. Created with a limited worldwide number of only one thousand pieces, the Eames House Bird in Gold Leaf was born! My Account Sign In. It was popularized by Charles and Ray Eames, who acquired one on their travels in the Appalachian mountains. It is certainly more than an ornament, it is a wonderfully curved sculptural artwork, brought to life as a blackbird through the intelligent addition of two small steel legs and beads for eyes. The Eames House is awash with an eclectic collection of objects which are largely unique and almost entirely artistic. We will never likely know the reason Charles and Ray Eames coveted their bird so much. The Eames bird makes an appearance on the cover of a issue of Architectural Record. Vitra had recognized both the mystery and the love for the bird and gone all out to reproduce it, as they had previously with the plywood elephant and Eames nested child chair, neither of which Herman Miller had ever revisited. Acquired during their travels through the Appalachian mountain region of the eastern United States, the bird is an artefact of traditional American Folk Art. They make the design. First Name. Whilst we may never know the full extent of the work produced at the house studio, as opposed to the nearby Venice site of the original Eames Office , it is safe to say that a good degree of Charles and Ray Eames legacy was undoubtedly produced there.