Before there was Steve Jobs, there was the design-duo of Charles and Ray Eames. Starting with the humble chair, the California couple is credited with introducing modern design to America. On December 19th, PBS will air the documentary Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the Painter which explores not only their influence but also their complicated creative and romantic partnership. Directed by Jason Cohen and Bill Jersey and narrated by James Franco, the film draws from the Eames’ archive of film and photographs, plus love letters and artifacts from their famously prolific office in Venice. Paying back our debt to the Eames’ is no easy feat. While Ice Cube’s recent ode (“they was doing mash-ups before mash-ups even existed”) should be noted for its originality, the upcoming full-length film appears to be one of the more ambitious efforts to date.
American Masters Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the Painter premieres nationally Monday, December 19, 2011 from 10-11:30 p.m.
