Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection | Exhibitions | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

This exhibition was on display from April 28, 2016 to March 12, 2017.

There were 149 objects in this exhibition but right now we can only show you 143 of them. Some objects may not be viewable because they were on loan; this might be due to issues involving image rights or simply because there is no digitized image for the objects.

See all the exhibitions.

View and print exhibition labels.

Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection
Energizing the Everyday celebrates the collecting vision of George R. Kravis II and its synergy with Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's broad and diverse collection of modern and contemporary design. An early interest in records and a background in broadcasting inform Kravis's enthusiasm for and knowledge of radios, televisions, and technology. As Kravis's passion for design grew, he expanded his collecting efforts beyond American electronic devices to include industrial design and furnishings for the home and office from America, Europe, and Asia. This exhibition showcases highlights of the Kravis collection dating from the early 20th century to the present. From industrial design and furniture to tableware and textiles, the exhibition makes visual and material connections across time and geography.
As a collector, Kravis is interested in the object's user, purpose, process, and manufacturing while also considering form and substance. The good design of these objects enhanced the day-to-day activities of the home and workplace, as well as during travel and leisure. The rigid geometry of Norman Bel Geddes's skyscraper-like ca.1931 Manhattan Cocktail Set, the humor of Cesare Cassati's and C. Emanuele Ponzio's 1968 Pillola Lamps, and the social concerns reflected in Olafur Eliasson's Little Sun Solar Powered LED Lantern of 2012 are among the many historic and contemporary themes enlivened in Energizing the Everyday.

Four teardrop-shaped handles differentiated by color (three are yellow and black; one is red and white), and placement of stripes.

Drawing, Suggested Decorations for Implement Handles, for the Washburn...
graphite, yellow, red crayon on tracing paper.
Gift of Industrial Designers Society of America.
2000-11-7

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Brown globe on six-sided brown base. Continents, map grid, and continent and ocean names picked out in gold; gold-tone volume and tuning dials mounted on equator-like metal band encircling globe; small retangular station number read-out in center; gold-tone terminals at north and south pole positions. Two sides of base with vertical slits and fabric for speakers. Fabric-covered cord.

New World Radio Radio, 1933
catalin (thermosetting plastic), metal, textile materials.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2011-44-1

This object was made by Colonial Radio Corporation.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 12 images and 1 video of this object.

Balanced plaid in dark brown, dark green, yellow and off-white ("Curry" colorway).

Tablecloth, Modern Spice, ca. 1950
cotton, viscose rayon.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2011-44-2

This object was made by Simtex Mills.
This object is part of the Textiles collection.

Low rectilinear form, the seat/arms and rectangular back upholstered in yellow-green; form trimmed with strip of khaki green vinyl welting running horizontally through center; removeable rectangular seat cushion upholstered in orange and pink striped woven textile; cast tubular aluminum posts support back; four short splayed cast tubular aluminum legs with circular pad feet.

Braniff Airways Model 66310 Armchair, ca. 1968
woven textile upholstery of cotton (46%), wool (33%), and nylon (21%), with....
Gift of George R. Kravis II in honor of Caroline Baumann.
2013-37-1

This object was made by Herman Miller Furniture Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

with turned legs and uprights champfered at the angles, the chairback with slight back angle connected by horizontal slats, the seat with woven close-caning in a twill weave, the chair legs connected with slat-form stretchers, one on front and back, two on each side.

Superleggera Chair, 1957
turned, planed and joined ash, twill-woven cane.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2013-54-1

This object was made by Cassina S.p.A.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Inverted cone-shaped body with wide-rimmed circular mouth and cross-form base; two vertical tubular handles with flat horizontal mounts at rim and lower body.

Sugar Bowl Sugar Bowl, ca. 1928
nickel silver.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2013-54-2

This object was made by Paye & Baker Manufacturing Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Inverted cone-shaped body with wide-rimmed circular mouth and cross-form base; triangular spout opposite vertical tubular handle with flat horizontal mounts at rim and lower body.

Creamer Creamer, ca. 1928
nickel silver.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2013-54-3

This object was made by Paye & Baker Manufacturing Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Blue rectangular case with long red horizontal handle on top; face with red and white horizontally striped grill on left, circular red and white station selection dial above two red circular control knobs on right; each control knob with molded decoration of five-pointed star.

Patriot Radio, 1940
cast phenolic resin (opalon), molded urea plastic, molded cellulose acetate,....
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2014-10-1

This object was made by Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corp..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Chrome-plated vessel, teardrop-shaped in cross section to form pointed spout; flat strap handle opposite.

Normandie Pitcher Pitcher, 1935
chromium, brass.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2014-25-2

This object was made by Revere Copper and Brass Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 8 images of this object.

Set of four square metal forms with white plastic bases; the tops of two shakers (a,c) stamped with scene of a comet among stars, the comet's "tail" formed by three curved lines of holes; tops of other shakers (b,d) with stamped stars and pierced with holes forming the planet Saturn surrounded by a ring.

Skyway Salt and Pepper Shakers Salt And Pepper Shakers, 1939
stamped and pierced chromium-plated steel, molded plastic.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2015-5-9-a/d

This object was made by Chase Brass & Copper Co..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

One-piece form consisting of flat, broad blade curved at tip and with a flat, ridged, rectangular handle.

Cheese Knife, ca. 1935
chromium-plated brass.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2015-5-10

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Red silicone rubber body comprising long cylindrical handle with horizontal striations and broad cylindrical suction-cup like lamp with small circular lens in center, covering LED light source.

Grip Flashlight, 2012
silicone rubber, led light source.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2012-20-1

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Open: two green panels flip up at front coners to open cover, clam-shell style, revealing LCD screen flanked by two pierced circular speakers and function buttons, surmounting bright green rubber keyboard above white trackpad; USB, headphone, and microphone ports on side of screen. When in the upright position, the green corner panels, reminiscment of animal ears, act as wi-fi antennas. Closed: flat, off-white rectangular form with green edging, wide rectangular slit as carrying handle at one end, flanked by two holes. Light green plastic X and red circle recessed in cover.

One Laptop Per Child XO Computer, 2007
injection molded abs plastic and polycarbonate, printed rubber, liquid....
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2015-5-8-a,b

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Lozenge-shaped base surmounted by box-like inkwell with hinged lid and removable glass liner.

Inkwell, ca. 1904–1915
brass, glass.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-55

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Saturn Punch Bowl With Cups And Tray

Saturn Punch Bowl With Cups And Tray
spun aluminum, wood.
2018-22-50-1/29

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

White ceramic housing in inverted teardrop shape with a rounded top and bottom; circular clock dial at top with numerals and minutes marked in black; black strip metal hands with pointed ends; circular timer immediately below clock face, with back numerals against a plain white background,showing five minute intervals form 0 through to 60, with white plastic knob.

Clock With Kitchen Timer, 1956–1957
molded and glazed earthenware, glass, chrome-plated metal, painted metal,....
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-10

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

White ovoid jug with strap handle and spout with Jugendstil designs in cobalt blue.

Jug, ca. 1905
molded and glazed stoneware.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-52

This object was made by Reinhold Merkelbach.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Waisted cylindrical body with black interior. Three thin crossed rods support body and are capped on either end by cork spheres which serve as feet or terminals to hold up the circular reflector held in place by springs. Short black cylinder projects from interior of body to hold bulb.

T-3-C Table Lamp, 1951
spun aluminum, enameled aluminum, stainless steel rods, cork.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-53

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

RCA Victor Special Phonograph

RCA Victor Special Phonograph
aluminum, chromium-plated steel, various metals, molded plastic, felt,....
2016-5-11

This object was made by Radio Corporation of America.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Continuous bulbous seat/back unit thickly padded and covered in black neoprene; the form raised on three splayed tubular aluminum legs with circular aluminum flanges at joints of seat and legs.

Embryo Chair Chair, 1988
polished aluminum, molded polyurethane foam covered in neoprene.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-12

This object was made by Idée.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Slightly concave circular wooden seat supported by a series of steel rods set at angles into circular wooden foot.

Model 86T Rocking Stool Stool, 1954
birch, chrome-plated steel.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-13

This object was made by Knoll Textiles.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Triangular clear glass top with curved edges on V-form dark wood base composed of two flat, abstract legs.

IN-50 Coffee Table, Designed 1944
polished plate-glass, stained birch.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-54-a/c

This object was made by Herman Miller Furniture Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Tall, smooth pyramidal form, the edges gently flaring to simple short feet; each side with rows of small pierced squares, two below mouth with flared lip, and two just above base. One of a pair (2018-22-136, 137).

Vase Vase, ca. 1910
cast and silver-plated metal.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-136

This object was made by Walter Scherf & Co..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Tall, smooth pyramidal form, the edges gently flaring to simple short feet; each side with rows of small pierced squares, two below mouth with flared lip, and two just above base. One of a pair (2018-22-136, 137).

Vase Vase, ca. 1910
cast and silver-plated metal.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-137

This object was made by Walter Scherf & Co..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Circular bowl (a) tapering toward base; blue ground overall, the bottom decorated with band of various sized silver circles, some overlapping, near rim,each trailed by a virtical line; slightly domed glazed and silvered lid with large flat triangular handle having pierced circle at one end.

Sugar Bowl With Lid, ca. 1902
molded and glazed porcelain with silver overlay.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-56-a,b

This object was made by Wiener Werkstätte and Wiener Porzellan Josef Böck.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Planar armchair form made of six sheets of plate glass.

Armchair, 1976
assembled laminated plate glass.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-58

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Rectilinear cabinet of light wood on three dark openwork supports; the form composed of a slat bench with two cabinets featuring television on left, one pull-out drawer holding phonograph and drop-front door concealing radio above record storage area in center section, and speaker cabinet on right, with circular speaker.

4743 Stereo Cabinet, Designed 1946, manufactured ca. 1955
combed oak, lacquered wood, glass, molded plastic, aluminum, linen.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-59-a/c

This object was made by Herman Miller Furniture Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Manhattan Cocktail Service

Manhattan Cocktail Service
chrome-plated brass.
2018-22-61-a/i

This object was made by Revere Copper and Brass Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Conical body (a) with white ground and red speckle decoration; triangular white handle on one side, white tubular spout above red triangle on the other. Lid composed of red pyramid on white disk (b).

Nefertiti Teapot, ca. 1981
molded, glazed and enameled earthenware.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-62-a.b

This object was made by Memphis.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Hyperrectangular shaker (a) with stopper (b) on underside; the top pierced with small circles forming the letter S. Part of a pair with pepper shaker 16a,b.

Salt Shaker Shaker, 1935
aluminum alloy.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-15-a,b

This object was made by Revere Copper and Brass Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Hyperrectangular shaker (a) with stopper (b) on underside; the top pierced with small circles forming the letter P. Part of a pair with salt shaker 15a,b.

Pepper Shaker Shaker, 1935
aluminum.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-16-a,b

This object was made by Revere Copper and Brass Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Irregular, contoured shape composed of thin layers of plywood, laser-cut, stacked, and laminated to form base, seat, arms/back, all of a piece.

Slice Armchair, 1999
laser-cut, assembled and laminated plywood.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-63

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Copper-surfaced form consisting of triangular top on two angled, panel-form legs.

Price Tower Table, 1956
formed, stamped and patinated sheet copper on pine.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-64

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Rectangular form, the base (a) on two copper-surfaced runners; shallow rectangular cushion on top; cushion (b) and base upholstered in coarsly woven blue to tan striped textile.

Price Tower Stool, 1956
copper, woven textile.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-65-a,b

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

A double-sided block mounted on each side with a narrow cylindrical door handle and rectangular backplate with keyhole.

Pair Of Door Handles, ca. 1922
nickel-plated brass mounted on painted wood.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-17

This object was made by S.A. Loevy.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.