Alexander Girard: Vibrant Modern October 21, 2006

As director of the Textile Division of Herman Miller from 1952 to 1973, Alexander Girard brought a passion for ethnic motifs and extravagantly bright colors to the clean, streamlined aesthetic that dominated mid-century modern design. Girard was recruited to the company by longtime friend Charles Eames, and the two designers, along with Herman Miller colleague George Nelson, formed a team that transformed the legacy of American modernism. Though Girard was for decades less well-known than his friend Eames, in recent years his work has found a new and eager audience. His lively patterns and bold colors seem fresh and original in today's market, and his once iconoclastic aesthetic -- central to his textiles, furniture and to a large body of graphic design work -- continues to inspire contemporary designers and consumers. This exhibition will include more than 60 pieces, highlighting the Herman Miller textiles as well as a selection of designs for La Fonda del Sol Restaurant in New York.