But things changed after an industrialist tried to make a product called Easy Edges furniture, and Mr. Irwin and Mr. Brogan were removed from the operation. Gehry designed his room in 1972, modeled on Bloomingdale’s cardboard furniture. It was one of the must-see interiors, curated by store merchandising guru Barbara Darcy, and he gained national attention.
“Everything was ruined and Irwin never forgave me,” Gehry said. Mr. Brogan was not satisfied either. He developed a machine to make cardboard, and it took a big hit financially. Baumann said he sold his house and studio so he could pay back his creditors.
The repetition of furniture also took a financial toll on Mr. Gehry. He eventually filled his orders at cost and turned his focus to architecture. However, the piece A design classic, and in 2005 Gehry sold the production rights to Vitra. The Vitrawigur his chair, the most famous of the collection, currently sells for around $1,500.
“It was terrible,” Gehry said.
In addition to his wife, whom he married in 1995, Mr. Brogan has daughters Kendra and Lonia Brogan. his son-in-law, Ezra Hudson; and his granddaughter. His marriage to Evelyn Reinert ended in divorce.
Catherine Cohn Gallery, Los Angeles, 2012 held a show It features works created with the help of Mr. Brogan. There were works such as Mr. Alexander’s glowing resin wedges, Mr. Pashjan’s glowing trippy polyester resin wall hangings, Mr. Irwin’s polished acrylic prisms and his trio of easy edged cardboard.
Exhibition title? “You don’t know Jack.”