Chermayeff & Geismar Inc: designing over four decades

November 24th, 2004–January 31, 2005

Washington, DC – The Corcoran College of Art + Design continues its commitment to design with the special exhibition Chermayeff & Geismar Inc: designing over four decades. Celebrating the work of one of America’s most influential and respected graphic design firms, the exhibition covers the early rise and ongoing contribution of the firm, particularly as it reflects a consistent design approach across a breadth of creative disciplines that spans nearly a half century. Chermayeff & Geismar Inc: designing over four decades is on view in the Corcoran’s Hemicycle gallery, the dedicated exhibition space of the Corcoran College of Art + Design, from November 24, 2004 through January 31, 2005.

“The interdisciplinary work of Chermayeff & Geismar is an exemplar of the Corcoran’s allegiance to design excellence and our mission to broaden and expand the design opportunities that exist in Washington,” notes Corcoran Dean Christina DePaul. “With the College’s degree programs in graphic design, interior design and digital media, supported by our continuing series of design exhibitions, we hope to communicate that design does not consist solely of visual images but also of ideas that shape all of our lives.”

The firm of Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. is responsible for such memorable design as the NBC and Mobil logos, as well as many hallmark elements of Washington, DC’s visual landscape, including The Smithsonian Institution’s identity, the display of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library at The Library of Congress and the banners that currently grace the Corcoran’s beaux-arts building.

This exhibition of the firm’s work presents roughly 150 graphic and exhibition designs, including an installation of the firm’s classic early study in experimental type design “Watching Words Move.” These landmark works range in scope from posters created for the Mobil-sponsored Masterpiece Theater series to permanent exhibitions for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty to an animation sequence composed of 60 different Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. trademark designs.

As the exhibition reveals, the firm’s idea-driven, intuitive and consistent approach to design has resulted in its achievement of the quintessence of good design: clear, memorable and distinctive communication that over four decades has easily become an integral part of the world around us.

EXHIBITION SPONSORSHIP
Chermayeff & Geismar Inc: designing over four decades is generously supported in part by the Solow Building Company and David Teiger. Additional thanks are due to in-kind donor Kimpton Hotels.

PUBLICATION
Chermayeff & Geismar Inc.: designing over four decades coincides with the recent publication of designing:, a 350-page, full-color book that explores the firm’s approach to the creative process (Graphis Inc.). Authored by Ivan Chermayeff, Tom Geismar and Steff Geissbuhler, designing: contains an introductory essay by John Hockenberry.

PUBLIC PROGRAM
On Tuesday, January 25, at 7 pm Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar will speak in the Corcoran’s Frances and Armand Hammer Auditorium, followed by a reception, book signing and viewing of the exhibition. For additional information or to register, please call the Corcoran’s Public Programs Office at 202.639.1770 or visit the Corcoran's online calendar. Lecture price: Members $25; Non-members $30.

PRESS IMAGES
High resolution digital images are available to press via the Corcoran’s press site. To obtain images please contact PR@corcoran.org or (202) 639-1703.

ABOUT THE CORCORAN COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
The Corcoran College of Art + Design, The Museum School in Washington, DC, was founded in 1890 and continues to be a vital force in the nation’s art education community. Part of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the nationally accredited College offers four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Photography and Photojournalism, a five-year combined BFA/Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching, a two-year Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree program in Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Digital Media Design, an MA degree in Interior Design, and an MA degree in the History of Decorative Arts (Fall 2005). The Continuing Education program offers more than 250 courses, 13 certificate programs and classes designed especially for children and teens. For more information, please visit www.corcoran.edu or call (202) 639-1800.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is located at New York Avenue and 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC, and is open every day, except Tuesday, 10 am – 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursday. The museum is closed every Tuesday. Admission to the Corcoran is: $6.75 for adults; $4.75 for senior citizens; $3 for students with current ID; and $12 for families. Free for Members and children under 12. Admission is “pay as you wish” on Monday all day and on Thursday after 5 pm. The public information line for the museum is 202.639.1700

ABOUT CHERMAYEFF & GEISMAR INC.
Among the leaders in design for more than forty years, New York-based Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. advocates that effective design is a process that begins with an understanding of a problem and leads to a design solution that is succinct, memorable and appropriate. Many of the firm’s designs have received worldwide acclaim. Quite a few have become part of the visual landscape that we all see and respond to daily. The firm has received the highest design awards from all major professional organizations and its work is exhibited throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.cgnyc.com.

:: View images and further details from this exhibition

CONTACT:
Kristin Guiter
Manager of Media Relations
(202) 639-1867,
kguiter@corcoran.org

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