Columbia PureBond® PLYprints™
For the first time since 1972 these graphics are now available as wall art, screened
onto 14"x14" panels of Columbia's formaldehyde-free maple faced hardwood
plywood. The PLYprints™ program draws on Girard's history of printing directly
on wood in such places as The Compound restaurant in Santa Fe.
The purity of Girard's iconic graphics printed on the often overlooked and humble
material, plywood, perfectly captures Girard's history of mixing modern materials
and folk art forms to create accessible art. The goal for this collaboration is
to bring the artwork of an American design legend to a new generation through products
that are sustainably and responsibly produced with the same sensitivity to the environment
that Alexander Girard demonstrated during his lifelong career.
Eight of Alexander Girard's classic designs are available on
14" x 14" plywood panels, including two NEW
designs for Fall 2009: Old Sun and New Sun. Each graphic panel features an iconic
Alexander Girard image hand screenprinted with water-based inks on a US-made sustainably-harvested
maple plywood panel.
All PLYprints™ include hanging hardware and have a spacer on the back that
allows the panel to float off the wall. The vibrant artworks mix bold colors with
the natural graining of the real wood veneers. The wood panels are responsibly made
with Columbia Forest Products' soy-based, formaldehyde free PureBond® technology to create a safe and green wood
based product for your home.
Also NEW for Fall 2009, three more of
Girard's classic designs are available on larger
16" x 20" plywood panels, with wall hanging hardware included. This new
size makes a bigger design statement with the same sustainable properties as the
smaller wall hangings.
A "Give Love" gift set of six 3" x 3" blocks
is also available, all with Girard's iconic "LOVE" design screened in red. Break
up the set and "give love" to everyone you love.
Click here
to see all the new designs and sizes.
Alexander Girard (1907 - 1993) created iconic mid-century modern designs for such
companies as Herman Miller and Braniff International Airways. His work married the
timeless lines of the modern with the playfulness and bold color of Latin American
folk art.
The estate chose to work with Columbia Forest Products because PureBond® is the only widely available cost-neutral
formaldehyde-free plywood panel. Girard had a long history of environmental concerns,
especially about pollution, and PureBond®
technology offers a way to mitigate indoor air problems by eliminating the risk
of toxic and carcinogenic VOC's that can be released by composite wood panels made
with urea formaldehyde resins.
PLYprints™ are being made available through specialty retailers of home fashion
and art objects.
About Alexander Girard
Alexander "Sandro" Girard was one of the most innovative modern designers
of the 20th century. From 1952 to 1973, Girard led that company's textile division,
where he brought color and life to the furniture creations of George Nelson and
Charles & Ray Eames. Widely considered the greatest colorist and textile designer
of modern time, Girard used traditional folk art to infuse color, whimsy and humor
into vibrant modern design.
He was able to capture the essence of Latin America while still creating designs
that were fresh and contemporary, finding the perfect balance of high and low art
forms. In 2000 Girard was the subject of a major retrospective at the Cooper Hewitt
National design Museum, confirming his place in the pantheon of great mid-century
designers.
About Columbia Forest Products
Founded in 1957, Columbia Forest Products is North America's largest manufacturer
of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer, a leader in sustainable forestry, and innovator
of formaldehyde-free PureBond®
technology.
Columbia's decorative interior veneers and panels are used in cabinetry, furniture,
architectural millwork and commercial fixtures. Employee-owned and based in Greensboro,
North Carolina, Columbia employs more than 2,000 and operates facilities throughout
the United States and Canada, and an operational network which spans the globe.
PLYprints™ Concept
The PLYprints™ concept was developed in cooperation with Eric Pfeiffer of
PfeifferLab, a San Francisco-based
design and branding studio. PfeifferLab relies on Eric's penchant for simplicity
of form to create useful and elegant solutions for everyday living. It's this pure
design ethos, coupled with a casual sensibility that results in timeless objects
rooted in a deep understanding of materials and message.
Another green product brought to you by Columbia Forest Products.
Made in the USA.