Vladimir Kagan: A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design, Signed by Kagan
View Similar Items
Vladimir Kagan: A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design, Signed by Kagan
About the Item
- Creator:Vladimir Kagan (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Depth: 1.13 in (2.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2004
- Condition:Very fine signed copy.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: OAM01311stDibs: LU95412193962
Vladimir Kagan
The pioneers of modern furniture design in America in the mid-20th century all had their moments of flamboyance: Charles and Ray Eames produced the startling, biomorphic La Chaise; George Nelson’s firm created the Marshmallow sofa; Edward Wormley had his decadent Listen to Me chaise. But no designer of the day steadily offered works with more verve and dynamism than Vladimir Kagan. While others, it seems, designed with suburban households in mind, Kagan aimed to suit the tastes of young, sophisticated city-dwellers. With signature designs that feature sleekly curved frames and others that have dramatic out-thrust legs, Kagan made furniture sexy.
Kagan’s father was a Russian master cabinetmaker who took his family first to Germany (where Vladimir was born) and then to New York in 1938. After studying architecture at Columbia University, Kagan opened a design firm at age 22 and immediately made a splash with his long, low and sinuous Serpentine sofa. Furniture lines such as the Tri-symmetric group of glass-topped, three-legged tables and the vivacious Contours chairs soon followed.
Kagan’s choices of form and materials evolved through subsequent decades, embracing lucite, aluminum and burl-wood veneers. By the late 1960s, Kagan was designing austere, asymmetrical cabinets and his Omnibus group of modular sofas and chairs. For all his aesthetic élan, Kagan said that throughout his career, his touchstone was comfort. “A lot of modern furniture was not comfortable. And so comfort is: form follows function. The function was to make it comfortable,” he once commented. “I created what I called vessels for the human body.”
A diverse group of bodies have made themselves at home with Kagan designs. Among the famous names who commissioned and collected his designs are Marilyn Monroe, Gary Cooper, Andy Warhol, David Lynch, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and firms such as Gucci and Giorgio Armani. His work is in numerous museum collections, including those of the Victoria & Albert and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Because of its idiosyncrasy, Kagan’s work did not lend itself to mass-production. Kagan never signed on with any of the major furniture-making corporations, and examples of his designs are relatively rare. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, even decades after their conception, Kagan pieces still command the eye, with their freshness, energy, sensuality and wit.
- Original Eames Giant House of CardsBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brooklyn, NYHighly collectible, 1950s Eames Giant House of Cards for Tigrett Enterprises. This scarce first-edition deck contains the original 20 large cards ...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Games
MaterialsPaper
- Signed Jack Levine PosterLocated in Brooklyn, NYPoster dates to 1978 retrospective at the Jewish Museum, New York. Signed and dated November 7, 1978. Poster will ship in a gallery frame. 21.5" by 34.5".Category
Vintage 1970s Posters
MaterialsPaper
- Lee Rosen Design Technics Ceramic Pendant LampBy Soholm PotteryLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautiful Danish modern ceramic pendant lamp. Lovely teardrop shape with perforation that allows subtle, warm glow to emit all around. Su...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCeramic, Earthenware
- Pair of Martz Tile TablesBy Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall StudiosLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of matched Mosaic tile top pedestal side tables, designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Signature inlaid ceramic Mosaic with earthy tones with subtle green hues...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Utensilo by Dorothee BeckerBy Dorothee BeckerLocated in Brooklyn, NYEndlessly practical Uten. Silo wall organizer, designed by Dorothee Becker. An awesome piece to store all the small things that don’t quite have a home. Molded from strong ABS plasti...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
MaterialsAcrylic
- Large Artichoke Lamp by Poul HenningsenBy Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen, Poul Hermann PoulsenLocated in Brooklyn, NYMonumental pendant lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen. Suspended by ivory enameled-steel canopy, the interior chrome cylinder is surrounded by layers of brushed copper leaves....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCopper, Chrome
- The Complete Kagan: Vladimir Kagan, A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design, SignedBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Brooklyn, NYThe Complete Kagan: Vladimir Kagan — A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design. First edition. Signed by Kagan. Excellent condition. Hardback. 1st complete c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Books
MaterialsPaper
$1,440 Sale Price40% Off - La Russie À L'Avant-Garde 1900-1935 by Fonds Mercator, Exhibition CatalogLocated in valatie, NYLa Russie À L'Avant-Garde 1900-1935 by Fonds Mercator. Published by Fonds Mercator, 2008. 1st Ed softcover Exhibition Catalog with French text. At the start of modernity and abstract...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Books
MaterialsPaper