Eventually Everything Connects

This landmark exhibition offered a sweeping look at one of the most significant and enduring movements in twentieth-century American design, illuminating Cranbrook’s foundational influence in shaping its evolution. Anchored by Charles Eames’ philosophy that “eventually everything connects: people, ideas, objects,” the exhibition brought together nearly 200 works by close to 100 artists, architects, and designers. Through furniture, textiles, and furnishings—many newly added to Cranbrook’s permanent collection—the exhibition traced the dynamic exchange of creative ideas that defined the era while expanding the narrative to recognize the vital contributions of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and designers of color.

Complementing the exhibition, a comprehensive 400-plus-page publication produced in partnership with Phaidon brought together new scholarship from more than 25 historians. Together, the exhibition and publication offered an expanded perspective on modern design history, underscoring Cranbrook’s lasting cultural impact while deepening the understanding of the diverse voices that helped shape the movement.