Overview

Full Product Details

9780814343654

Table of Contents

Reviews

While Alexander Girard's remarkable body of work finds new and receptive audiences today, many still associate the multifaceted designer only with his beloved desert of the American Southwest or his exotic travels abroad. However, as Kawsky painstakingly demonstrates, Girard's formative years in Detroit were essential to the development of his unique approach to design. A key player in the crucible of mid-century modernism that was birthed in Michigan, Girard's time there was, like the rest of his life, an extended series of rich and layered experiments in exploring design in all of its many dimensions.--Andrew Blauvelt director of Cranbrook Art Museum Kawsky delves into Girard's prolific design career in Michigan: his midcentury residential work, his exhibition curation, and his impact on fabric, furniture, and graphic design. Richly illustrated with rarely seen historic photographs, this book places Girard at the center of the extraordinary synergy that revolved around modern design in Michigan and led the artist to collaborate with icons Ray and Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, Minoru Yamaski and George Nelson.--Brian D. Conway Michigan's state historic preservation officer Alexander Girard's years in Michigan proved to be a turning point. In and around Detroit he became exposed to modernism and started his career as one of the most important textile designers of the twentieth century. In Grosse Pointe, Girard built a house for himself and his family and designed several modern residences for progressive-minded clients in the neighborhood. Deborah Lubera Kawsky's book sheds light on this little-known but important and fascinating part of the trained architect's work.--Dr. Jochen Eisenbrand chief curator at Vitra Design Museum With the publication of this book, a critical piece of the Alexander Girard puzzle has been uncovered. By bringing Girard's contributions and connections to the fore, Michigan's rich history of mid-century design just gets richer.--Sam Grawe global brand director at Herman Miller We are delighted with Deborah Lubera Kawsky's efforts to draw focus and attention to a lesser-known aspect of our grandfather's career. It was from his architectural training and foundation that Girard approached every project. This book adds an important chapter to the larger biography of his diverse life and career.--Aleishall Girard Maxon Girard Studio LLC Before Alexander Girard joined the 'dream team' at Herman Miller as the head of the fabric division and moved to Santa Fe in the early 1950s, he spent more than a decade living and working in Detroit. This previously undocumented and virtually unknown chapter of the designer's career is the subject of Deborah Lubera Kawsky's groundbreaking research in Alexander Girard, Architect. Kawsky's lavishly illustrated book, with both archival and contemporary photographs, convincingly claims that it was in Michigan that Girard conceived and developed the ideas that would define his later career as a designer. The book is a must-read for all scholars and enthusiasts of midcentury modern design.--Gregory Wittkopp director of the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Alexander Girard, Architect is an enlightening glimpse into Girard's lesser-known, early career-before he partnered with the modernist powerhouse Herman Miller. Kawsky's thorough research and generous use of archival imagery uncover a fresh understanding of Girard's architectural practice and a fascinating account of his evolution as a designer.--Shelley Selim associate curator of design and decorative arts, Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Miller House Alexander Girard was extraordinarily good at every facet of design, and his elegant views on modernity feel just as fresh and relevant today. Alexander Girard, Architect is a smart study of his purposefully revolutionary designs for living filled with never-before-seen drawings and photographs.--Todd Oldham designer

"Alexander Girard, Architect is an enlightening glimpse into Girard's lesser-known, early career--before he partnered with the modernist powerhouse Herman Miller. Kawsky's thorough research and generous use of archival imagery uncover a fresh understanding of Girard's architectural practice and a fascinating account of his evolution as a designer. --Shelley Selim ""associate curator of design and decorative arts, Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Miller House"" Alexander Girard was extraordinarily good at every facet of design, and his elegant views on modernity feel just as fresh and relevant today. Alexander Girard, Architect is a smart study of his purposefully revolutionary designs for living filled with never-before-seen drawings and photographs. --Todd Oldham ""designer"" Alexander Girard's years in Michigan proved to be a turning point. In and around Detroit he became exposed to modernism and started his career as one of the most important textile designers of the twentieth century. In Grosse Pointe, Girard built a house for himself and his family and designed several modern residences for progressive-minded clients in the neighborhood. Deborah Lubera Kawsky's book sheds light on this little-known but important and fascinating part of the trained architect's work. --Dr. Jochen Eisenbrand ""chief curator at Vitra Design Museum"" Before Alexander Girard joined the 'dream team' at Herman Miller as the head of the fabric division and moved to Santa Fe in the early 1950s, he spent more than a decade living and working in Detroit. This previously undocumented and virtually unknown chapter of the designer's career is the subject of Deborah Lubera Kawsky's groundbreaking research in Alexander Girard, Architect. Kawsky's lavishly illustrated book, with both archival and contemporary photographs, convincingly claims that it was in Michigan that Girard conceived and developed the ideas that would define his later career as a designer. The book is a must-read for all scholars and enthusiasts of midcentury modern design. --Gregory Wittkopp Kawsky delves into Girard's prolific design career in Michigan: his midcentury residential work, his exhibition curation, and his impact on fabric, furniture, and graphic design. Richly illustrated with rarely seen historic photographs, this book places Girard at the center of the extraordinary synergy that revolved around modern design in Michigan and led the artist to collaborate with icons Ray and Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, Minoru Yamaski and George Nelson. --Brian D. Conway ""Michigan's state historic preservation officer"" We are delighted with Deborah Lubera Kawsky's efforts to draw focus and attention to a lesser-known aspect of our grandfather's career. It was from his architectural training and foundation that Girard approached every project. This book adds an important chapter to the larger biography of his diverse life and career. --Aleishall Girard Maxon ""Girard Studio LLC"" While Alexander Girard's remarkable body of work finds new and receptive audiences today, many still associate the multifaceted designer only with his beloved desert of the American Southwest or his exotic travels abroad. However, as Kawsky painstakingly demonstrates, Girard's formative years in Detroit were essential to the development of his unique approach to design. A key player in the crucible of mid-century modernism that was birthed in Michigan, Girard's time there was, like the rest of his life, an extended series of rich and layered experiments in exploring design in all of its many dimensions. --Andrew Blauvelt With the publication of this book, a critical piece of the Alexander Girard puzzle has been uncovered. By bringing Girard's contributions and connections to the fore, Michigan's rich history of mid-century design just gets richer. --Sam Grawe"

Author Information

Deborah Lubera Kawsky completed her undergraduate studies at Smith College and her PhD in art history at Princeton University. She is an adjunct associate professor at Madonna University, where she teaches art history courses and leads European study-abroad trips. Her current projects relate to Detroit history, art, and architecture.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available