Warby Parker’s New Sunglasses Channel Robert Rauschenberg

Art lovers, this one’s for you: Warby Parker just unveiled a new limited edition collection of sunglasses inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s artwork. The frames come in four different color combination, each channeling a piece from the Rauschenberg Overseas Cultural Interchange, or ROCI. The ROCI project consisted of more than 125 pieces Rauschenberg created from 1984 to 1991 while traveling to ten countries with strict limitations on free speech.

To design this line, Warby Parker’s team chose paintings from the ROCI collection and “created a series of color-blocked sunglasses that emulates the palette found in each of the pieces,” according to Wallpaper. The pink frames above, called Roci Primrose, draw inspiration from Daydream / ROCI MEXICO created in 1985.

Warby Parker co-founder Dave Gilboa told Wallpaper, “We arranged them in a color-blocked design to reflect the layered materials within [the] ROCI project. The frame’s shape is a little modern [and] a little retro, harkening back to Rauschenberg’s era.”

The Roci Ruby, shown here, was inspired by Guardian Light (Guardian de la Luz) / ROCI CUBA and designed specifically for the Museum of Modern Art’s current exhibition Robert Rauschenberg: Among Friends. These sunnies will be sold exclusively at the MoMA Design Store and on the shop’s website, while the other three options will be available in Warby Parker stores and online.

The Roci Crystal Marina drew its color palette from Copperhead-Bite I / ROCI CHILE. Rauschenberg was known for his collaborations, and his foundation has kept that ethos alive. Earlier this year, the group partnered with West Elm for a limited edition furniture collection.

The Roci Cerulean takes its colors from Rice Wine Dog, Tuak Hudok-Iban / ROCI MALAYSIA, 1990.

Source: Wallpaper

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