Alexander Girard: A Designer’s Universe

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Where

Main Museum

When

November 23, 2019 – March 1, 2020

Where

Main Museum

When

November 23, 2019 – March 1, 2020

Alexander Girard (1907–1993 in Santa Fe) was one of the most important and prolific designers of the 20th century. He created stunning interiors for restaurants, private homes, corporate offices, and even airplanes! He created textiles, typography, and tableware. He designed exhibitions, toys, and a whole city street in Columbus, Indiana. Inspired by folk art and pop art, Girard created a bold, colorful, charismatic universe. He warmed up modernism with his whimsical, optimistic patterns and designs.

This exhibition, organized by Vitra Design Museum, presents the colorful universe of Alexander Girard through more than 400 objects—textiles, drawings, furniture, graphics, film, and folk art—in a richly layered installation and accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue. Exhibition visitors will experience one of his best-known interiors—that of the 1957 Miller House in Columbus, Indiana—through a full-scale replica of its iconic conversation pit, which will be a place for repose and public programs. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the wonderful world of Girard.

Exhibition Programming

No events.

Exhibition Highlights

Alexander Girard exhibition entrance Alexander Girard exhibition entrance Alexander Girard exhibition, artworks on the wall Alexander Girard exhibition, Prototype chairs and artworks in the back Alexander Girard exhibition, patterns and textiles Alexander Girard exhibition, Folk art collection Alexander Girard exhibition, Conversation pit made of red pillows with glass gallery in the back Alexander Girard exhibition, Braniff designs and Folk art collection Alexander Girard exhibition, conversation pit with glass gallery in the back Alexander Girard exhibition, Folk art collection
Abstraction of image Old Sun, Environmental Enrichment Panel #3015
Alexander Girard, Abstraction of image Old Sun, Environmental Enrichment Panel #3015, for Herman Miller, 1971
Textiles & Objects Shop, New York City, for Herman Miller
Alexander Girard, Textiles & Objects Shop, New York City, for Herman Miller, 1961
Alexander Girard, in his studio in the early 1950s
Charles Eames, Alexander Girard, in his studio, Early 1950s
Interior design in Miller House, Columbus, Indiana, USA
Balthazar Korab, Miller House, Columbus, Indiana, USA, 1953-1957
Daisy Face, Environmental Enrichment Panel #3036, Alexander Girard for Herman Miller
Alexander Girard, Daisy Face, Environmental Enrichment Panel #3036, for Herman Miller, 1971
Alexander Girard and his family posing with items from his folk art collection
Ezra Stoller, Alexander Girard and his family posing with items from his folk art collection, 1952
Corporate design for Braniff International Airways
Alexander Girard, Corporate design for Braniff International Airways, 1965
Design for matchboxes of the restaurant La Fonda del Sol, Alexander Girard
Alexander Girard, Design for matchboxes of the restaurant La Fonda del Sol, 1960
Alexander Girard, arm chair no. 66310, 1967, series production by Herman Miller Furniture Co.
Alexander Girard, Arm chair no. 66310, 1967

Sponsors:

This exhibition is organized by  


Lead Sponsor:  


Global Sponsors:    

Palm Springs Art Museum’s presentation is organized by Brooke Hodge, Director of Architecture and Design.

Generous support is provided by     and Joan & Gary Gand.

Additional support is provided by Ellen Donaldson, Vicki & Bill Hood, Robert D. Kleinschmidt, and Robert Kohl & Clark Pellett, and James Spindler & John Vitale.

Exhibition Season Sponsors: David Kaplan & Glenn Ostergaard, Brautigam-Kaplan Foundation, the Herman & Faye Sarkowsky Charitable Foundation, the Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad Foundation, and Yvonne & Steve Maloney.

Exhibition photos by Lance Gerber.

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