4 Mar 2016

Wood Furniture as Décor Statement

Home décor is all about expressing your individuality in a creative and aesthetic manner, while keeping functionality in mind. Building your décor around a statement piece of furniture gives a refreshing approach to the décor, and has the potential to create a dramatic visual impact.

What is statement furniture?

Statement furniture is any piece of furniture which stands out in a given space, due to its design, colour and unique aesthetics. It can be a furniture piece that sets the tone for the room; it may even act as a focal point, and essentially ensures that all eyes are drawn to it as one enters the room. For instance, it could be a low coffee table in mahogany, a stunning Victorian desk, an antique dresser or an ornately carved chair. It could also be a book shelf in a startling red or white, or a study table in vibrant yellow!
Wood Furniture as Décor Statement, Asian Paints Woodtech Studio’s campaign, Art Scene India
Now, even if you do not have statement furniture with you, you can easily convert one by using Asian Paints latest range of wood colours and polishes. For instance, this antique chest of drawers here is what I would like to have as an end product which can anchor the space. So, all I have to do is check out their Woodtech Studio and select colours and finishes which suit my requirement. I can also select the wood and then cross check to see what the best matches are.
Wood Furniture as Décor Statement, Asian Paints Woodtech Studio’s campaign, Art Scene India
Essentially, Asian Paints Woodtech series of wood care products offer complete solutions in a wide range of wood finishes. Their finishing products are perfect for creating beautifully finished furniture and floors, and for restoring old pieces. In fact, all blemishes and scratches get blended to create a smooth flawless finish.

The website allows you to create, refurbish and reinvent furniture for your home. Offering valuable advice and tips, the information is easy to navigate and is complete with practical, doable and expert advice tailored completely to your requirements.

For instance, I chose Rosewood for my Chest of Drawers and I was offered information about the wood as well – ‘Rosewood is close-grained hard wood, with the heartwood of either golden brown or a dark blood-red colour and the sapwood of pale yellow. It has an exclusive fragrance. It is hard to work upon but takes polish well. The material has high bending and crushing strengths with low stiffness and medium resistance to shock loads. The surface has a tendency to check and split when air dried rapidly. It is very durable and moderately resistant to termites in Indian climates’. It is good to learn more about different types of wood, and the kind of finishes that match better, and most importantly how best to conceptualize the décor keeping various eras and styles in mind.
Wood Furniture as Décor Statement, Asian Paints Woodtech Studio’s campaign, Art Scene India
Since, I chose a vintage look from the options offered, I could also read more about the thematic and historic details, ‘Vintage interiors are inspired from art styles of eras gone by. Ranging from the English elegance showcased in the royalty-inspired Victorian times to the free-spirited French-born Art Nouveau, there is a vintage style to suit every character palette here’.

What is interesting is that videos from the video gallery offer step-by-step application process of Woodtech finishes and the guidelines to get the desired wood finish, making it easy to work on your own.

The best way to benefit from this range of products would be to visit their award winning concept stores in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. You can look forward to amazing inspiration ideas, expert advice from experienced Colour Consultants and many more services which will help you make your beautiful home a reality.

This post is a part of Asian Paints Woodtech Studio’s campaign

2 Mar 2016

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.

"Of Sounds and Silences" by Raviram Ramakrishnan, Image courtesy Galerie de' arts, Sculpture in decor
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.
Sculpture in decor, Art Scene India
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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12 Jan 2016

Art News: Art Scene India Recommends

Art Scene India Recommends: 

With so many art events happening, it can be a challenge to decide which exhibitions and events to visit, so I've handpicked a few for you - across India. I hope to add more cities and towns soon. Do visit those in your vicinity and let me know your views. Which ones resonated with you? Drop me a line here. I look forward to hearing from you.

Bangalore

NGMA Bengaluru, in collaboration with The Guild Art Gallery presents the exhibition "And the last shall be the first: G.R. Iranna Works 1995-2015", curated by Ranjit Hoskote, on view from 16th Jan - 16th Feb, 2016.
Art News, G.R. Iranna Works 1995-2015, NGMA Bangalore, Art Scene India Recommends


12th Annual Show at Galerie Sara Arakkal 

Show extended till January 30, 2016
Timing: 10am to 6pm on all working days

Art News, 12th Annual Show at Galerie Sara Arakkal, Art Scene India Recommends

Mumbai

Tabiyat: Medicine and Healing in India

January 12 to March 28, 2016 | CSMVS, Mumbai

Medicine Corner’s centrepiece is an exhibition titled ‘Tabiyat: Medicine and Healing in India’, which examines the history and contemporary practice of sustaining human health in one of the world’s great civilisations. From January 12 to March 28, 2016, CSMVS, hosts dazzling antiquities and contemporary material culture assembled by Wellcome Collection, one of London’s most exciting new cultural spaces. Exhibits include the only known historical illustration of the interior of the human body as understood in Ayurveda. None of the antiquities have been exhibited before in their land of origin. The exhibition also features modern vernacular art in an aesthetically seductive, intellectually rich mix of art, science, history and the ordinary made extraordinary.

Art News, Tabiyat: Medicine and Healing in India, Mumbai, Art Scene India Recommends

Kolkatta

‘The Piercing needle’ by Gopika Nath 

Gallery Sanskriti, Kolkata,
from 6th Jan to 6th Feb, 2016

Art News, ‘The Piercing needle’ by Gopika Nath at  Gallery Sanskriti, Kolkata, Art Scene India Recommends

About the Exhibition:

In ‘The Piercing needle’, Gopika Nath presents herself as an artist-craftsperson. A predominant image in much of her work is the teacup. Peering into her cup emptied of garam masala chai revealed over time an appreciation for the quotidian beauty of residue. Her meditation on these marks and stains from tea serve as a catalyst for introspective enquires as well as initiating new methods of staining and burning to translate the effects onto fabric. While discomforting experiences are recalled and examined, threads are unravelled and surfaces scorched, burning through and beyond the heart of the matter at hand.

Using embroidery as an artistic marker, with the needle as a natural substitute for a pencil or a brush, Gopika forges a link with the age-old traditions of hand-crafting in India, to see the work of the hand as part of human creative expression and by extension - a process of discovery of who we are. She uses the language of embroidery with stitch as a spiritual metaphor, where working with needle and thread becomes therapeutic and cathartic – a healer and balancer. Even though Gopika is an artist that embroiders, rather than paints, she adeptly imbues her work with the same aesthetics as found in fine art painting – the same finesse, sensibility, and aesthetic of understanding between hand and canvas, between mind and image, and between perspective and result.


Want to cover art events for Art Scene India? Get in touch now at nalini.indianart@gmail.com

18 Nov 2015

ARTiculations - A workshop for artists, Bangalore

ARTiculations - Beyond the Image - A workshop for artists on Nov 22, 2015 at Talk Temple, Lavelle Road, Bangalore

By Nalini Malaviya
(Bangalore based art consultant, writer and blogger)

Enhance your verbal and written communication skills

Learn about:
● Art marketing
● Tools to promote and support your art practice
● How to write an artist statement

Who should join: Artists and photographers - recent graduates, upcoming and experienced creative professionals who wish to work on their marketing and communication skills to support their career.

Timings: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fees: Rs 1,800/- (coffee and light snacks included)
For registration contact*
Phone: 080-41507000/ 98806 30024
Email: nalini.indianart@gmail.com

Venue:
Talk Temple
92, 3rd Cross, Lavelle Road
Bangalore – 560 001

*Limited seats.

Please report by 9:45 am and bring a few images of your recent works as you will draft an artist statement by the end of the workshop. Let me know if you have any questions (nalini.indianart@gmail.com).
Confirm by 18th Nov.

About
Nalini Malaviya is a Bangalore based art consultant, writer and blogger. She has been writing for the media since 2003, and has contributed to Times of India, Financial Times, Bangalore Mirror, Femina, Deccan Herald and several other publications including art magazines and catalogs. Nalini publishes www.artsceneindia.com, a blog/ Ezine featuring art news, events and articles. The website functions as an artist resource and promotes artists. She curates art exhibitions and also teaches arts management and marketing for artists, through workshops.

Talk Temple is a Transformational Leadership Training Organization that enables and empowers people to exploit their potential. It believes that Human Resources can be developed to create a Unique Success Mantra that will differentiate the company and create tangible Results for Leaders and their Teams.
Contact: mail@talktemple.com/ Kavitha at 98806 30024, Office 080 41507000

ARTiculations - Beyond the Image - A workshop for artists on Nov 22, 2015 at Talk Temple, Lavelle Road, Bangalore  By Nalini Malaviya (Bangalore based art consultant, writer and blogger)