Street Artist Billi Kid and Street Art Photographer Luna Park pair 20 hot street artists with the Classic Chair

American designers Charles and Ray Eames worked and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture during their life together, which stretched 4 decades or so in the last century. During that time they created many classics – like this, this, and this.  So celebrated are their designs that the postal service even issued a collection of stamps a couple of years ago featuring their designs.

As with most things that become classic, they also can use an update periodically – even though I know that statement causes a shudder to go down the spines of those who consider the designs “timeless”.

And so it came to be that Mr. Kid and Ms. Park summoned 20 of the current crop of rebels on the street to reface one of the Eames classics for a fundraiser auction benefitting Operation Design, which puts architects, artists and related professionals in mentorship programs with NYC public school students.  The whole enterprise, which includes a film crew an on-line auction and a few parties ultimately involves a number of players.

But the aesthetically gratifying and thrilling part of this show to me is that it is freely available by walking down the street – specifically walking by the Barney’s windows starting May 11th – June 1st.

The MOMA has the original in it’s permanent collection, and TIME magazine named their dining chair the best design of the 20th century, but for us the real deal is in these 2010 versions that erupt with new life and the D.I.Y. spirit that is alive and well on the streets.

The chairs have been rocked! I think NohJ even set his on fire… Here are a few examples.

Eames classic by Aakash Nihalani

Eames classic by Billi Kid

Eames classic by Elbow Toe

Eames classic by Joe Iurato

Eames classic by NohJColey

Eames classic by Peru Ana Ana Peru

Eames classic by Skewville

Eames classic by Sofia Maldonado

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PRESENTS

“EAMES INSPIRATION”

CURATED BY BILLI KID AND LUNA PARK

ON VIEW AT BARNEYS WINDOWS FROM MAY 11th THROUGH JUNE 1st

Operation Design

Billi Kid

Luna Park

The Eames Office

Public Works Dept.

See the whole collection of chairs HERE

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
presents
EAMES INSPIRATION

A unique collection of iconic Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chairs, as re-imagined by some of today’s most celebrated graffiti and street artists, will be auctioned online
to benefit OPERATION DESIGN.

Operation Design organizes architects, graphic artists, design, construction and related professionals to work with public school students to create motivating and inspiring spaces and projects.

Featured in BARNEYS NEW YORK windows on Madison Avenue at 61st Street
May 11th through June 1st.

Bidding begins May 11th at opdesign.org and ends June 1st.

Curated by Billi Kid and Luna Park.

Artist List

Aakash Nihalani, Billi Kid, Blanco, Cake, Celso, Cern, Damon Ginandes, Darkcloud, David Cooper, Elbow-Toe, James and Karla Murray, Joe Iurato, Matt Siren, NohJColey, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Skewville, Sofia Maldonado, Stikman, UR®New York and Veng.