Design Quarterly - Fall 2000

TRENDS: Art in Design

Jennifer Hamilton of Nuance Interior Design found herself in a tight spot. Yes, she had transformed Teekay Shipping's raw space into a contemporary head office. The subtle nautical references - a limestone-and-granite compass in the floor, a floating steel staircase, the colors of sand, sea and sky - worked well. But the walls were bare. With a grand opening looming, Teekay needed some original artwork. Jennifer had made trips to the local galleries and borrowed pieces to hand, but nothing worked.

"We were running out of options and places to look at," she recalls. The solution: Doris Anderson, of D'or Art Consultants. 'If You See a Bare Wall, Give Doris a Call' is the slogan for her Gallery on the go. As an agent for artists such as Kent Crawford, Michael Mancuso and Ronald David Thompson, she brought a large portfolio to Teekay's offices.

"Ninety-five per cent of my clients have never even seen a showroom," says Doris. Attracted to Richard Tetrault's stylized industrial work, Teekay commissioned several pieces. Throughout the creative process, Richard worked closely with Jennifer and Doris, with stunning results. His dramatic interpretations of the harbor - bold lines, vibrant colors - provided visual impact and a focal point for the company's stately quarters, and tied the space together. In the reception area, one piece not only reflected the room's deep-blue highlights, but also worked off the opposing glass wall. The ship in the painting echoed the wall's etched-film line drawings of a ship. The space effectively communicated the vision of a 21st-century shipping company. The client was thrilled.

Today, says Richard, "There is more of a sensibility towards using original works of art as a means of defining or enlivening a space, and to express something distinctive about an individual or a company." While your clients may not be commissioning originals, you can still use art creatively in design.

Finding the Money and Time

Whether or not a design includes artwork usually comes down to money and time. Without an art budget, the walls remain bare. Raise the issue early, Jennifer advises. By including art in her preliminary budget, she nudges clients to think about setting aside funds. An art consultant can tailor selections or arrange leasing options to save costs. Buying Canadian art also carries tax advantages.

Because of tight budgets and timelines, many designers simply give Doris a name and number. You can look great without any extra time, energy or effort, she says, by letting her finish a space to the client's specifications.

Selecting an Artist

Unless you're showcasing a collection, artwork seldom dictates design. However, to achieve an integrated visual expression, Richard suggests involving an artist in the initial stages, as an integral part of the process. Better yet, familiarize yourself with what's available. In Vancouver, during the spring "Artists in our Midst" and fall "East Side Culture Crawl," you can visit more than a hundred open studios featuring sculpture, glass and more. Develop a list of artists interested in working with you. Having seen their work, you will be better able to incorporate in into your design. Doris, meanwhile, has already cultivated such a list. Jennifer compares it to sourcing furniture. Just as an interior designer knows where to get furniture, a consultant knows where to get art. Moreover, Doris has a clear sense of what subjects inspire the artists she represent.

"She can custom-pick an artist for a project," says Richard.

Capturing the Vision

To communicate a client's vision effectively, you must first grasp it. Jennifer typically interviews the senior management, as well as individual employees. Doris also communicates extensively with clients because many of them don't know where to start when it comes to art. Then, she provides 'something that resonates for them'.

Using an Art Consultant

Doris not only captures the client's vision, she also facilitates communication among clients, designers and artists. An art consultant can save you much running around - especially when hunting for specific items. Plus, she provides expertise in framing, reproduction, location, security and other technical aspects of displaying art.

Selecting the Art

Art tends to be a matter of personal choice. Some clients want West Coast imagery; others prefer a more international flavor. Most clients in the Lower Mainland opt for bright, cheery colors to combat the gray climate. They also like movement: a ship at sea, birds in flight, children playing hockey. While some companies shy away from depressing or controversial artwork, others are making a statement. Spectrum Signal Processing, for example, commissioned four paintings inspired by Richard's ink drawing of people in Vancouver's poverty-ridden Downtown Eastside.

By selecting more than one piece from a given artist, says Richard, you create a more coherent statement. You can build, and layer, a theme. However, displaying too much of one artist's work gets monotonous, Jennifer warns.

Now, with all these options, what are you going to do about those bare walls?

Source: Design Quarterly - Fall 2000