Black Bird Kite

This kite is one of many that decorated the walls of the Eameses’ home and studio over the years, and which made appearances in their showroom stagings for Herman Miller. Made of ink on paper with bamboo and string, the kite represents a sort of bird-fish hybrid with oversized fins/wings and orange markings that might be read as scales or feathers. Ray and Charles intentionally surrounded themselves with objects collected from around the world, as well as many that they received as gifts from friends. These items served as inspiration for their design practice with Ray noting, “We never collected anything just as collectors, but because something was inherent in the piece that made it seem like a good idea to be looking at.” Ray and Charles shared an appreciation for traditional craft goods with their close friend and collaborator Alexander Girard, who amassed a large collection of folk art that significantly informed his work.