In 1961, Charles Eames famously said, “Toys are really not as innocent as they look. Toys and games are the preludes to serious ideas.” For the Eameses, playing wasn’t just about having fun; it was a pathway to creative exploration, with toys serving as pure expressions of design.
In the classic toys they collected, Charles and Ray saw designs that were authentic and that celebrated an honest use of materials. These toys fulfilled their intended purpose—a kite must fly, a top must spin, a ball must bounce—while radiating a spirit of joy and satisfaction for the user. Universality, functionality, problem-solving, and delight were core “serious ideas” that the Eameses incorporated into all their designs.
This exhibition catalog presents the spirited toys and games the couple acquired as gifts from friends and during their travels. Many of these objects later appeared in their films or as meaningful decorative objects and props in photo shoots. Paired with archival photographs, they highlight the enduring connection between play and design in the Eames philosophy.
A special insert features contact sheets from 1956, revealing the Eameses’ process for documenting their toy collection. The catalog also includes an essay by author and design historian Sam Grawe, along with a curatorial note by Llisa Demetrios, chief curator of the Eames Institute and granddaughter of Charles and Ray
Essay by Sam Grawe, author, editor, and design historian
Paperback with cover wrap
142 pages, 7.3 x 10.3 inches
ISBN: 979-8-9878314-4-1
