Esoteric Survey

  The Saarinen House (1929) at Cranbrook Academy by Eliel Saarinen with help from Loja, Pipsan, and Eero. It was the home of Eliel and Loja from 1930 to 1951. Eliel was the master architect for Cranbrook and was the C ranbrook Academy of Art’s president from 1932 to 1946. Lilly Swann Saarinen and Loja Saarinen in the book room. Source: Courtesy of Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Textiles and hangings by Studio Loja Saarinen. Almost every piece was designed by a member of the Saarinen family. They even let Pipsan's husband, Robert Swanson, have a piece in the house.  Kevin Adkisson, Curator at the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, showed us the house and was the best guide. He had some juicy stories about Robert Swanson. Eliel Saarinen dining set. Cranbrook Academy student Harry Bertoia gets credit for trimming the base of the sculpture to fit perfectly within in the center inlay.  Pipsan flower floater The home studio. We're ...

  Eventually Everything Connects: Mid-Century Modern Design in the US Inspired by Charles Eames’s quote, “Eventually everything connects: people, ideas, objects,” the exhibition   included over 200 works by100 designers and artists.  It centers on the Cranbrook Academy's role in the evolution of modern design along with emphasizing the often-overlooked contributions of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and designers of color. The exhibition at  Cranbrook Art Museum  an d accompanying book were curated by Andrew Blauvelt and Bridget Bartal. Near the beginning of the exhibition is the Wartime Experiments section, with pieces from the 1941  Organic Design in Home Furnishings  competition, which was sponsored b MoMA. On the left is a chair design  Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames submitted to the competition. This example has original upholstery and was donated to Cranbrook by the Saarinen family. Ralph Rapson rocker. He studied at Cranbrook and then worked a...