Bend It Like Breuer: Modern Plywood Design of the 1930s and 1940s
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 1–2pm
Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue
Bent plywood became a hallmark of modern design in the 1930s and 1940s, uniting artistry, innovation, and function. In this talk, curator James Zemaitis traces the style's evolution through pioneers like Marcel Breuer and Alvar Aalto. Focusing on British plywood, Zemaitis follows Breuer's career from his collaborations with Isokon in London to his later U.S. designs. He also explores the contributions of Charles and Ray Eames and early innovators like Herbert Von Thaden, revealing how bent plywood reshaped modern furniture on both sides of the Atlantic.
Organized with Miami Design Preservation League and presented as part of Art Deco Weekend.
Watch the recorded talk online.
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