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.

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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.

Sheet is composed of two sketches at top and bottom, with left edge of sheet perforated. Designs are for two vessels in mixed metals as specified by the inscriptions. Each is a combination of geometric volumes stacked vertically. Specifications about the materials of some of the components are noted; for the vessel on the bottom half of the sheet a silver flange or projection, copper spout, and an iron body surmounted by a brass ring. For the vessel on the top of the sheet, a similar ring at the top of the vessel is illustrated, and specified as 'ottone', translated to 'brass' in Italian.

Drawing, Designs for Hot Water Pots or Fondue Pots, February 11, 1985
graphite and crayon on smooth white wove paper.
Gift of Unknown Donor.
n-d-2908

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

Three sketches on sheet with perforated left edge. At top is an elevation of an interior, at lower left another view of same interior, while at lower right there is a plan view, possibly of the same room. The table as viewed in the upper sketch is rendered in greatest detail. It consists of a boldly patterned black and white speckled top with five legs, all combinations of geometric shapes in different primary colors and configurations. The table is set with a variety of tableware and vessels.

The sketch at bottom left is a view of the same table but not set and with no additional details. This room has a paneled dado and red-framed window at the far end.

The final sketch at lower right only shows the geometries of the furniture in the room, a table at the top left of the plan, and a semicircular object at left.

Drawing, Two Views of Interior, February 8, 1985
graphite, crayon, black marker on white wove paper.
Gift of Unknown Donor.
n-d-2906

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

Four sketches are shown on sheet (left edge perforated). Two vessels at the top of the sheet have conical bodies with pronounced, rectangular spouts. The one at left has a wavy handle, while the other, at right, has a long curved handle and belly bands around the body. The two vessels at the bottom are similar in form to those at the top. They both have a stepped base and rings immediately above this. The one at left has a rectangular handle and is seen from the direction of the spout. The other is drawn so the spout is visible, though the handle is not.

Drawing, Designs for Four Coffee Pots, February 14, 1985
graphite on white wove paper.
Gift of Unknown Donor.
n-d-2909

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

Polished chrome-plated cocktail service consisting of tall cylindrical cocktail shaker and lid (a,b); rectangular tray with stepped rim (c); six cylindrical cups with slender stems and circular feet (d/i).

Manhattan Cocktail Service, 1935
chrome-plated brass.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.29a/i.2015

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.

3920 Vanity, 1939

3920 Vanity, 1939
east indian laurel, sequoia burl, oak, acrylic, brass, patinated steel,....
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-19-a/d

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.

Brilliant colors with swirling designs in light and dark brown and black.

Sample, Momentum, 1967
nylon, polyester.
Gift of Jack Lenor Larsen.
1968-47-1-d

This object was made by Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated.
This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Set of four square metal forms with white Bakelite bases; the tops of two shakers (a,c) engraved 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 engraved stars and pierced with holes forming the planet Saturn surrounded by a ring.

Skyway Salt And Pepper Shakers, 1939
stamped and pierced chromium-plated steel, molded bakelite.
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 3 images of this object.

Spherical punch bowl and lid (a,b) with spherical wood finial on lid and four wood spheres on sides of bowl; ladel (c) with spherical wood finial; circular tray (d) rests on punch bowl and holds twelve cups (e/p) with spherical wood handles.

Saturn Punch Bowl With Cups And Tray, ca. 1935
spun aluminum, wood.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.11a/cc.2015

This object was made by Wright Accessories.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 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.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.26a/c.2015

This object was made by Herman Miller Furniture Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

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.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.19a/c.2015

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.

RR-126 Stereo Cabinet, 1965

RR-126 Stereo Cabinet, 1965
chipboard, plastic laminate, perspex, aluminum.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.75a/c.2015

This object was made by Brionvega, S.p.A..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 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 was made by Quanta Computer Inc..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Globular, translucent green body with cylindrical neck fitted with silver-plated sleave with inverted U-shaped handle and short spout.

Pitcher, 1963
blown and cased glass (inciso), silver-plated brass.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-20-a,b

This object was made by Christofle and Venini Glassworks.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Bell-shaped brown Bakelite body on metal base with horizontal striations; curved metal handle with flat lower section, top section connected to mouth, which is made of metal and topped with glass lid.

Thermos Carafe And Lid (USA), 1936
aluminum, bakelite, glass.
Gift of Paul F. Walter.
1991-30-3-a,b

This object was made by American Thermos Bottle Co..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 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, Designed 1935
polished 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 3 images of this object.

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.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.35a,b.2015

This object was made by Heritage-Henredon Furniture Co..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Domed flat-sided hollow containers with the holes as pierced letter P on "front" and again on "back"; hinged base.

Pepper Shaker And Stopper, ca. 1935
rolled and pierced stainless steel.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-26-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.

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.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.30a,b.2015

This object was made by Flavia S.r.L., and Memphis.
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 S. Part of a pair with pepper shaker 16a,b.

Salt Shaker, Designed 1935
polished aluminum.
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 3 images of this object.

Black ST201 Television Set With Case, 1969

Black ST201 Television Set With Case, 1969
acrylic, metal, plastic.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-22-a,b

This object was made by Brionvega, S.p.A..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Tavola Rotonda Rossa Centerpiece, 2003

Tavola Rotonda Rossa Centerpiece, 2003
cast pewter, murano glass.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.72a,b.2015

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

Domed flat-sided hollow containers with the holes as pierced letter S; hinged base.

Salt Shaker And Stopper, ca. 1935
rolled and pierced stainless steel.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-25-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.

Baby Brownie Camera And Packaging, ca. 1934

Baby Brownie Camera And Packaging, ca. 1934
molded bakelite, metal, glass.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2014-25-4-a,b

This object was made by Eastman Kodak Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

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.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.22a,b.2015

This object was made by Wiener Werkstätte and Wiener Porzellan Josef Böck.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Low, horizontal rectangular form with curved edges; left side: yellow, molded plastic housing for paper and print mechanism; right side: rectangular rubber keypad molded with circular and lozenge-shaped number and function keys. On front, imprinted: "olivetti DIVISUMMA 18".

Divisumma 18 Calculator, 1973
abs plastic, melamine, rubber, metal.
Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
1986-99-41

This object was made by Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S.p.A..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 5 images of this object.

Contoured plywood form follows the shape of the back of a leg. Several openings over the length of the splint.

Leg Splint (USA), 1942
laminated and molded birch wood.
Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
1986-99-43

This object was made by Evans Products Company and Plyformed Wood Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Design for chafing dish with smaller designs to the right.

Drawing, Design for Chafing Dish, 1945–75
graphite on white tracing paper.
Gift of Donald Cameron.
1998-19-95

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Triangular plates, bowl, cup and saucer, creamer, and sugar bowl, the plates and bowl with curved orange-red rim and circular white well; cup, creamer and sugar bowl of inverted cone shape with triangular handles.

Tricorne and Streamline Tableware, 1934
molded and glazed earthenware.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-1/9

This object was made by Salem China Company.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Kitchen or bar paper with objects brightly colored in red, teal, yellow, lime green, white, and black. Objects include a seal, rooster, chicken, assortment of fruit, cocktail glasses, and a coffee pot placed on a grey ground.

Sidewall (USA), ca. 1955
machine printed on paper.
Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz.
1991-89-107

This object is part of the Wallcoverings collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Printed textile with horizontal rows of continuous line forming overlapping rectangles; in green on an off-white ground.

Textile, Filo, 1942
linen.
Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
1996-83-1

This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Group of five floor lamps, each resembling a giant pill, it's upper half a translucent white difuser, its lower half a bright primary color: red, yellow, green, blue, or white, on a clear plastic disc-shaped base. Each with a white power cord.

Pillola Suite Of Lamps, 1968
molded methacrylate, plastic and acrylic.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.78/82.2015

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

Large green, grayish-green and yellow ovals and black loops on eggshell-colored ground, overprinted with white relief dots. Straight repeat, drop match. On left margin: "Marburg-Tapete Made in Western Germany", on right, "Entwurf Elsbeth Kupferoth 144".

Sidewall (Germany), 1950–56
machine printed on paper.
Gift of Marburger Tapetenfabrik.
1957-116-8

This object is part of the Wallcoverings collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Large scale stylized floral pattern in white, blue, and light gray on a black ground.

Textile, Bavaria, 1910–11
silk.
Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
2005-8-2

This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

ET Personal 55 Portable Typewriter, 1985-1986
molded abs polymer, metal.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.97.2015

This object was made by Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S.p.A..
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Lidded cast iron pot with a detachable curved wooden handle

Casserole, 1960
enameled cast iron, teak.
Promised gift of George R. Kravis II.
7065.77.2015

This object was made by Oy W. Rosenlew Ab.
This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.