Boutique Design - November 2019 - 110

of Japanese orchids and cherry blossoms that had to be embedded in a
concrete wall for a project on Okinawa
because it's in a typhoon zone. Oversized art will always be in the hospitality industry, because hospitality is
oversized and dramatic.
WHAT'S ON YOUR BOARDS?

HOTEL INDIGO LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN

We're working on a Hard Rock Hotel,
several Indigos, casinos, various
branded and boutique hotels, multifamily and senior living projects.
SINCE YOU'RE ALREADY THE HEAD OF

JANET VAN ARSDALE
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
JVA ART GROUP

We see major changes in the functionality of guestrooms. The guestroom experience has to be relevant across generations, regions of the world, the
purpose of travel and so on. Guests want to incorporate their voice. Obviously, technology will make
a large impact on the experience and the design.

WHAT'S THE NEXT BIG INFLUENCE IN ART?

HOW WILL THAT IMPACT ART?

Technology. On the manufacturing side, new
printers and substrates are expanding our creativity
and allow us to produce art with better quality and
value. On the design side, we're seeing different
types of interactive art in projects because they
create a more memorable guest experience. We're
developing our own JVA app for AR that can be
used in the guestroom, restaurants, reception-
really anywhere on property. Art is now embedded
in the feel and architecture of the experience.

Art is an integral part of the design, not just a
picture on the wall. It's integrated with the wallcoverings, drapes, fabric, headboards and carpets.
Technology also embraces art from wayfinding to
information at the property. More and more, art is
part of what activates the community of the space.

ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GET TECH-ED OUT OR WILL
THEY EMBRACE THIS KIND OF IMPERMANENCE?

Technology-especially interactive art, CGI and
AR-is unique and compelling. The challenge is
always to find the cost-effective way to integrate it
into the guestroom and public space. One problem
we face is that any of the technologies use some
sort of cameras for their different techniques, and
room art cannot have any type of recording device
for privacy reasons.
WHAT NEW MATERIALS ARE YOU LONGING TO
WORK WITH?

We are always on the lookout for more durable and
long-lasting substrates to extend the life of the
art. We embrace different types of textures to work
with. Feel, touch and visually compelling materials
are full of interesting ideas for art.
110 boutiquedesign.com

NOVEMBER 2019

HOW CAN DESIGNERS GET MORE FROM ART
PROGRAMS?

Don't say,"I'll know it when I see it." As artists and
consultants, it's our mission to listen to what the
designer envisions. So, it's hard to get started if we
don't even know the concept. We wrote a cheat
sheet to help answer questions and give our artists
a better chance of getting it right! We also provide
"lunch and learns" across the country and attend 14
networking events a year to talk about what we do.
We're looking forward to introducing continuing
education units as well.
WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON THE STAYING POWER OF
OVERSIZED ART PIECES?
We are known for our ability to do large and
dramatic art pieces. We love the scope and the
drama of oversized art pieces-including a fivestory 50-by-20-ft. mosaic on a southern California
hotel across the street from the international
surfing championships that tells the story of the
perfect wave, or a 40-by-20-ft. acrylic interpretation

THE COMPANY, WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS?

My son (Daniel Northrup, currently principal and
vice president) will be taking over the business, so
there is a lot of planning. That is not to say that you
won't see me at all of the trade fairs and networking
events. We're strategizing so that we'll be around
for another 50 years.
HOW BIG IS YOUR TEAM?
We have an inside artistic team and an extended
sales and marketing team across the country that
totals 25 members.
HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE, MOTIVATE AND
DIRECT THEM?
Our team works very well together. We have a great
culture and are always trying to humanize our work
environment. We have adjustable hours to help our
employees who are parents. We stress flexibility
with our hours and benefit plans.
WHAT WON'T YOU TRAVEL WITHOUT?
This is one of my favorite questions that you
asked. When I travel, I'm so busy and overwhelmed,
trying to accomplish everything and meet
everyone. I have always wanted to meditate, but I
got lazy. A colleague of mine told me about Muse 2,
a brain sensing headband by Muse. I tried it and I
became addicted. For people like me who want
instant gratification this is the answer to my relaxation. After your session with the Muse 2, you can
see a report of your brain waves and how well you
did. The other thing I won't travel without is my
Oura Ring. It's like a Fitbit, but so much more! It's
waterproof and goes on any finger. You keep it on
24/7, and it reads your daily movements. It reads
your sleep, your temperature, your heart beats, your
REM and deep sleep. It provides instant feedback
about your activities and body functions. 

COURTESY OF JVA ART GROUP (VAN ARSDALE; HOTEL INDIGO LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN)

WHICH AREAS OF HOTELS WILL CHANGE THE
MOST AND WHY?

http://www.boutiquedesign.com

Boutique Design - November 2019

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