Wasserschloss Klaffenbach Chemnitz: Eames by Vitra

Until April 9th the Wasserschloss Klaffenbach Chemnitz is presenting the exhibition Eames by Vitra.

As we wrote in our initial post, Eames by Vitra presents a complete overview of the Charles and Ray Eames chair canon complemented by texts, photos and videos that explain the background to the Eames Studio.

It is not an exhibition that completely explains the creative phenomenon that was Charles and Ray Eames. But then it doesn’t set out to be.

It’s all about the chairs.

Eames by Vitra in Wasserschloss Klaffenbach is spread over three rooms, physically it is the only solution, however the positive side effect is to lead the visitor on a journey through the output of Charles and Ray Eames. Each room has its own atmosphere, its own character and this reflects on the exhibits, a fact which when combined with the open views from room to room, gives the impression of an exhibition that is much larger than it is.

And it isn’t large. It’s intense. But not voluminous.

But for all Eames by Vitra is inclusive, presenting as it does the Eames plywood, plastic and aluminium chair collections, in addition to the La Chaise lounger, wooden stools and of course the Eames Lounge Chair. There are also enough Eames Elephants on show to consider starting a Wasserschloss Klaffenbach Safari Park.

If we did have one complaint – we know, we know, what is the chances of us having a complaint! Imagine! Us! Complaints!!! – it would be that the first exhibit one sees is devoted to the Eames plastic chairs.

However not only does the Eames story begin chronologically with the plywood chairs; but understanding the Eames plywood chairs is central to understanding the complete Eames furniture oeuvre.

And so, for us, it would have made more sense to begin with the moulded plywood.

But that is probably just us.

And as ever we’re more than happy to let each visitor make up their own mind.

And then tell us that we are wrong.

Eames by Vitra runs at Wasserschloss Klaffenbach Chemnitz until April 9th 2013.

Full details can be found at www.wasserschloss-klaffenbach.de

And as before, in the interests of transparency Eames by Vitra is a co-production between the C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH and (smow) Chemnitz.

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