# Throwing Curves: Eva Zeisel

Throwing Curves : Eva Zeisel is a 2002 documentary film directed by Jyll Johnstone. The film follows and interviews then-97-year-old Hungarian industrial designer and ceramic artist Eva Zeisel. It examines how her upbringing, fame, and personality have influenced her work and reputation to the present day. Zeisel narrates her own history, including her escape from both the Soviet Union and Nazi-annexed Austria, as family members, friends, and relevant experts offer insights into her character. Alternating between archival footage and video interviews, the film explores how Zeisel's personal life has shaped the development of her work, which is on display in the Museum of Modern Art and other museums around the world. Zeisel's age is a key theme of the film, and several interviewees comment on her unusual industriousness and innovation for an elderly woman.
The film is the first in a series of three films by Directors Guild of America Award-nominated director Jyll Johnstone that "explores the lives of three 85-plus women still actively engaged in creative lives." Throwing Curves screened at the 2002 Mill Valley Film Festival and the Rocky Mountain Women's Festival.
More about Eva Zeisel (1906–2011)
She was a renowned Hungarian-American industrial designer and ceramicist, celebrated for her elegant, modern designs. Her work is characterized by organic shapes, playful curves, and a sense of simplicity and grace. Zeisel is especially known for her contributions to mid-20th-century design, where she blended functionalism with artistic beauty.
Some key points about her:
Early Life and Career: Born in Budapest, she began her career as a painter before moving into ceramics. She was one of the first women to achieve recognition in industrial design and ceramic production.
Imprisonment and Exile: While working in the Soviet Union, she was falsely accused of plotting to assassinate Stalin and spent 16 months in prison. After her release, she emigrated to the United States.
During her time in the Soviet Union, before her imprisonment, she is believed to have discreetly dissented by embedding messages into her ceramics. This was done through subtle markings, codes, or symbols baked into the designs or glazes — a creative and courageous way to communicate.
Her involvement in such activities, along with her independent spirit and outspoken nature, likely contributed to her being accused of conspiracy and imprisoned during Stalin's purges. Though the details of these resistance efforts aren't widely documented, they highlight her bravery and the way her creative skills intersected with her political resilience.
Zeisel's remarkable story of survival, artistry, and resistance adds a rich layer to her legacy as a designer. It's incredible how her ceramics not only served as art and function but also as tools for dissent.
Design Philosophy: Zeisel described her work as "the playful search for beauty." She rejected stark modernism in favor of designs that were warm, sensuous, and inviting.
Notable Works: Her most famous designs include the Town and Country dinnerware (1945), which features playful, rounded forms, and the Museum dinner service for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). She designed for companies such as Hall China, Rosenthal, and Castleton China.
Legacy: Zeisel's work is celebrated in major museums like MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. She continued designing into her 100s, leaving a lasting impact on modern design.