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.
$15, $10 for members
Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.