Date: Fri 27-Feb-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Weeberdesign

Full Text:

Marion Weeber's Industrial Designs

w/cuts

ALBANY, N.Y. -- An exhibition of works by American industrial designer and

Albany native Marion Weeber is currently on view at the Albany Institute of

History & Art through April 12.

"Marion Weeber: Industrial Designer" is drawn entirely from a gift of more

then 161 objects presented by Marion Weeber, Inc, to the museum in 1994. These

materials, which include jewelry, giftware, tableware, drawings, photographs

and advertisements, document Weeber's 40-year career. Working primarily in

sterling silver, silver plate and stainless steel, she created many

award-winning designs for jewelry and giftware that earned her national

acclaim.

This exhibition reflects concepts of modern industrial design, which was based

on the belief that form should be derived from function, material and method

of production. The ultimate goal was to mass-produce objects that were

attractive, inexpensive and easy to care for.

Born in Albany in 1905, Weeber studied art in the public schools and later

attended the Art Students League of New York. She has credited her father,

pioneer automotive and aeronautical inventor Christian F. Weeber, as a major

force in her career. In 1923 he encouraged her to postpone her college art

studies to work with him as his confidential apprentice in the development of

a helicopter rescue craft.

"He put me in overalls in the machine shop," Weeber recalls, "where he taught

me to think and create, and draw factory drafts which were sent to his patient

attorneys." She worked with her father until his death in 1932 and credits

those nine years of training as the best preparation for opening her own

industrial design office in New York City in 1938.

Weeber first gained national recognition in 1941 with her jewelry designs

related to the popular song "Wise Old Owl," written by Joe Ricardel of

Broadcast Music, Inc. Over the years she designed and produced hand-wrought

jewelry and giftware for the Marion Weeber Studio and designed pieces for

leading American companies including Volupte, Coro, National Silver Company,

Eisenberg-Lozano, Kirk International, Inc, and Samuel Kirk & Son.

Besides the United States, her designs were also manufactured in England,

France, Italy, Denmark and Japan. During the late 1970s and early 1980s,

Weeber had a royalty contract with Cartier, one of America's most prestigious

jewelry and giftware establishments. Especially popular were her sterling star

frame designs from the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration of the United States.

The institute is at 125 Washington Avenue. For information, 518/463-4478.