Press Release

The World of Charles and Ray Eames Makes U.S. Premiere at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, May 5- Sept. 13, 2018

(Dearborn, Mich. – April 12, 2018) –  Beginning May 5, guests can go inside the minds of two of the 20th century’s most influential designers, Charles and Ray Eames, at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Making its U.S. premiere, The World of Charles and Ray Eames, explores the couple’s careers and the extraordinary work of the Eames Office. Featuring more than 400 artifacts, this special exhibition showcases their influential work in architecture, furniture, graphic and product design, painting, drawing, film, sculpture, photography and more.

Trained in architecture and painting respectively, Charles and Ray met at the Cranbrook School of Art, Michigan, in 1940. The following year the couple married and moved to California to set up a home and a new studio – the Eames Office. The work of the Eames Office is characterized for most people by designs for furniture and products, yet their avid interest in addressing the needs of any given problem led them to design and communicate using a wide variety of tools and media. The World of Charles and Ray Eames charts their inspiring and prolific world and brings together key works and ideas explored at the Eames Office throughout its history. Highlights include the Revell Toy House, the film ‘Think’, The Henry Ford’s own Wills chair (a prototype perched on a garbage can that inspired their classic fiberglass chairs), and a wealth of documentation and contextual material from the professional archive of the Eames Office, and artifacts from their personal collections.

Charles and Ray collaborated and associated with the leading artistic figures of the 20th century and their immediate circle included Buckminster Fuller and Alexander Girard, innovators featured within The Henry Ford’s own collection. Alongside the rich array of Eames designs, the exhibition includes material which highlights the importance of these relationships to the couple’s life, philosophy and working processes. The artifacts are presented in the context of the inner world of their Office and network, alongside the political, cultural and social conditions which enabled and influenced their work.  

Guests interested in seeing the exhibition first can purchase tickets to The World of Charles and Ray Eames Exhibit Preview Party taking place May 3 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Admission is $75 for non-members and $63.75 for members, and includes drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are limited. To purchase tickets or for more information contact the call center at 313-982-6100 or visit thehenryford.org.  

Members of The Henry Ford also have the chance to see the exhibition before it opens to the public on Friday, May 4 from 9:30 am to 5 p.m. Admission to The World of Charles and Ray Eames is free for members. Non-member ticket prices include admission to the museum and are $23 for adults (12-61), $17.25 for youth (5-11), $21 for seniors (62+) and children 4 and under are free. To purchase tickets, visit thehenryford.org. The World of Charles and Ray Eames is curated and organized by Barbican Centre, London, in collaboration with Eames Office and supported by The Terra Foundation for American Art. 

About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan is an internationally-recognized history destination that explores the American experience of innovation, resourcefulness and ingenuity that helped shape America. A national historic landmark with an unparalleled Archive of American Innovation, The Henry Ford is a force for sparking curiosity and inspiring tomorrow’s innovators. Nearly 1.8 million visitors annually experience its five attractions: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford Giant Screen Experience. A continually expanding array of content available online provides anytime, anywhere access. The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school which educates over 500 students a year on the institution’s campus. In 2014, The Henry Ford premiered its first-ever national television series, The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation, showcasing present-day change-makers and The Henry Ford’s artifacts and unique visitor experiences. Hosted by news correspondent and humorist, Mo Rocca, this Emmy®-winning weekly half-hour show airs Saturday mornings on CBS. For more information please visit our website thehenryford.org.