Art in Interiors: Sculpture as a Décor Element

A sculpture is a beautiful way to alter the dynamics of the space and add an interesting facet to it. The aesthetics (form, material and the concept) of the artwork, interplay of light, its interaction with the surroundings contribute in transforming the space. Being three dimensional, large sized sculptures require more space when displayed in homes - either inside living areas or outside in the open. As opposed to a painting, which is displayed on a wall, a sculpture is placed on a pedestal or directly on the floor and therefore requires special considerations in terms of space and visual impact.

Sculpture by Raviraam Ramakrishnan

 A large sculpture placed in any space will interact with it in multiple ways, also because of its extra dimension, which allows it to be viewed from all sides. It would be advisable to place the sculpture in an area which is clear and clutter free, has high visibility and is relatively traffic free. The style and the material are important in deciding where to display the sculpture.

In a garden or terrace, a sculpture can be integrated into the landscaping to create a cohesive and enhanced impact. The important thing to consider when displaying a sculpture in the open is to ensure that it is made of a material which is weather resistant. For instance, stone such as marble or granite, fiberglass, terracotta, and metals which have been specially treated are ideal for the outdoors. When displaying in the outdoors, a sculpture could complement the exteriors better if it is directly placed on a surface - ground, parapet, ledge, etc. Alternately, a pedestal which is made of natural material will enhance harmony between the sculpture and the setting.

Life size statues are hugely popular as outdoor sculptures. Traditional forms of sculpture are ideal for displaying in the garden; for instance human, animal and mythological figures. Themes which are based on outdoor subjects are suitable – these could be folk, rural or contemporary. A traditional sculpture can be a reminder of stone and rock art from ancient monuments and heritage buildings and help recreate a sense of historicity.

Conceptual pieces in stainless steel or multimedia sculptures are ideal for the terrace or the centre of the garden, and can form interesting anchor points for conversation during garden parties and other gatherings.

It is also essential to consider both natural lighting and spotlights when exhibiting these artworks in open spaces. All artificial lighting must be strategically placed to bring out the features of the sculpture, yet avoid creating a harsh or glaring effect. The illumination should be appropriate to bring out details of carvings, relief work, planes, shadows and textures.

The writer is an art consultant


This article was published in The Times of India-The Address recently.

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Art In Interiors: Chromatic Frames to Display Art

Colours and lighting directly influence our state of mind and emotions and therefore creating a vibrant living space which is in harmony with our individual personalities and family choices can be one of the most liberating experiences ever!  

It’s amazing how a beautiful work of art can alter the ambience of home interiors and make a statement which is as unique as you.  Paintings, photographs and wall installations can completely enliven drab interiors and anchor the space to create a focal point around which the entire décor scheme can be centered. When art and artifacts are displayed to their advantage their beauty is enhanced and the overall space transforms substantially.

Although, an artwork is intrinsically capable of creating a visual impact, the effect can be magnified manifold by selecting a frame which complements it perfectly.  Interestingly, a frame need not necessarily be an ornate or gilt wooden frame attached to the painting, but can also be an extension of the art! 

Art can be displayed creatively to highlight the painting, drawing or photograph and also to create a seamless, cohesive look, which is visually aesthetic. One of the ways to achieve this is by painting the entire background wall in such a way that it offsets and spotlights the artwork.

Completely contrasting colour shades, a dominant colour from the painting or any other complementary shade or hue can be painted around the artwork as a rectangular or a square border to frame the artwork and create a dramatic or theatrical effect. Asian Paints has an amazing line-up of colours and textures, along with a paint selector tool that allows you to choose the paint type, colour and effect that perfectly matches your needs. It therefore enables your vision and idea of a beautiful home! The transformation of space with judicious use of colour can be simply stunning.

You could also have the entire wall painted in a colour of your choice keeping the artwork in mind, so that the backdrop essentially forms a chromatic frame for the painting or even an artifact. The overall effect here is often understated and unified if you select complementary colours. Essentially, the larger visual frame helps to further define the focal area and highlight the painting. The painting itself can be unframed or have an inconspicuous beading to avoid overdoing the effect. Along with the ambient lighting you can also use spotlights to emphasize the artwork and to enhance the effects of colours and other nuances. This is a wonderful way to transform your interiors and give it a sophisticated and architect designed look.

 

If you look at some of these images, the effect of background colour on highlighting the painting and artifacts is clearly visible. Asian Paints Home Solutions offer some fabulous options in creating walls that are inspiring. Colournext, also from Asian Paints is a trendsetting endeavour that translates colour intelligence into measurable decor ecosystems and inspiring trends in contemporary visual culture. It facilitates the process of achieving balance between wall colours, textures and the artworks. It can therefore offer the perfect solution to displaying your artworks, artifacts and objet d'art with great style and individuality.

Play around with colours and textures, while keeping your artwork in mind and you can easily create interiors that are unusual, stunning and completely in sync with your ideas and visual vocabulary. Any artwork can be displayed innovatively to become part of a unified decor scheme, whether it is minimalist, traditional, contemporary or modern and yet make a statement.

Colours and lighting directly influence our well-being, state of mind and emotions and therefore creating a vibrant living space which is in harmony with our individual personalities and family choices can be one of the most liberating experiences ever.