West Michigan has long had a steady relationship with the work of one power couple (and their grandparents) and for once I am not talking about the DeVos-VanAndel empire but that of Charles and Ray Eames, who formed a partnership with Herman Miller that we still benefit from to this day.
But many may not be aware of how their grandson, Eames Demetrios, has been traveling the world, creating new connections as he installs markers and denotes the historic sites of a parallel world he calls Kcymaerxthaere.
I was recently reminded of these 104 markers and historic sites installed in 22 countries on six continents as I enjoyed a meal and a beer at a brewpub in downtown Grand Rapids the other day. As my eyes narrowed, I noticed a small plaque on the wall of this establishment that no doubt others have seen but never thought to dig deeper. (In an attempt to keep you in the explorer mindset, do you know where it is?)
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'Eames Demetrios: Kcymaerxthaere' is a multi-decade-long conceptual art work that brilliantly explores and plays with ideas of our physical reality, parallel universes, history, authoritative academia, tourism, storytelling, and the role of memorials in the public sphere," says Mark Holzbach, co-founder and advisor of Zebra Imaging, a holographic production firm.
On Friday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall, Demetrios will present an hour-long lecture on Kcymaerxthaere with the public. Immediately after, the gallery show will open to the community.
Those who are smitten by this project have a very unique opportunity to explore Kcymaerxthaere via a new tour co-produced by Holzbach. The trip will include stops in Los Angeles and Palm Springs (Joshua Tree) with Demetrios as your tour guide from March 25-29
th.
For more info about participating in this very unique offering, people are encouraged to contact Leslie Frazier soon as only a few slots remain open at press time. (email:
[email protected], tel: 310-397-6179)
Admission: Lecture and gallery reception are free