NEWH - August 2003 - (Page 18)

tips on specs... art & framing FRAMED The art smart set shares insider tips—mats to moldings Framing experts agree: the right frame and the right mat (or lack thereof) can add tremendous aesthetic value to even the simplest work of art. Conversely, they say, the wrong frame and mat can detract mightily from even the finest of images. What’s hot now In the frame world, sleek and simple moulding-and-mat combos are definitely in. And there’s a discernable trend toward suspended images (or glass-on-glass mounting), sandwiching artwork between glass and adding a sleek frame. As for color, white moulding and matting is hot, as is silver moulding, say framers, edging out its ever-popular gold counterpart, with ornate gilded frames reserved for select pieces. Insiders tell us the hottest new wood mouldings are European imports with finely crafted, but not fussy, detailing. And designers are taking note of new frame options in industrial-looking metals. Peppy, preppy looks—great for kid-friendly spaces— include frames with a different color moulding on every side. What images are best for hospitality? Art experts suggest politically correct art, that is not likely to offend anyone. Gaining an edge One art resource we talked with has more than 40,000 varieties of mouldings—and counted more than 50 mat suppliers in the business. For specifiers, that translates to limitless options. Understanding those options involves identifying key terminology. Back bevel: no visible mat edge Conservation glass: protective glass with UV inhibitors Deckled edge: visible torn paper surrounding image Double mat: two mats with varying inner dimensions Dry mount: heated adhesion process involving permanent wax-glue bond Fabric mat: textile-wrapped or textile-laminated mat Fillet: accent moulding (or multiple mouldings) affixed to mat Floating mat: Mat mounted on plane above or equal to image Frame-in-frame or frame stacking: layered mouldings French mat: hand-drawn lines or decorative inserts on mat Glass-on-glass (suspended image): image sandwiched between glass layers Multi-window: single mat with openings designed to frame more than one image Museum mount: process involving acid-free materials and removable fabric tape adhesion Shadow: image rests on foamcore to create dimensional effect Shadowbox: designed for three-dimensional display of memorabilia or objets d’art Tray moulding: deep L-shaped moulding creating perimeter reveal for image edges V-groove: etched line to make single mat appear as double Weighting: elongated mat style, cut wider at base 18 Design and display ideas What makes art appropriately prominent? Placement. When art is viewed, eye contact typically drops just below the image itself, say experts. Weighting a piece, or cutting the mat wider at its base (say 3 inches on the sides, 3 inches on the top, 5 inches on the bottom), is a trick framers use to direct focus to the image. Some art mavens believe that images stand out more when their framing and matting matches surrounding walls. One expert advised us on two definite don’ts: mixing metals (“do not put a silver frame next to gold sconces”) and matting an oil painting (“just frame it”). To stretch a tight budget, framers may suggest V-groove matting, designed to create the effect of a more costly double mat. Newer generations of affordable polyurethane mouldings, formerly a poor cousin to wood mouldings, and earth-friendly recycled composites offer better-looking, more sophisticated options than their previous incarnations. Computer-aided cutting techniques can create works of art from matting itself. For example, a 48- by 72-inch “monster mat” became a die-cut leader board framed for a recent golf club installation. And thanks to versatile foamcore, lifting images and mats for shadow and window effects offers countless variations on traditional mountings. (“Try a three-layer foam core mat for a cool effect,” one framer advised.) When do art experts frame with plexiglass instead of glass? Plexiglass decreases liability in instances where it is subject to hard knocks or daily wear and tear (in elevators, around cleaning carts, in spaces for children)—and sometimes when framed pieces are extremely large and heavy. Fine art may warrant specifying conservation glass, which provides protection from damaging ultraviolet light. Nonglare glass is appropriate where light reflection is at issue. One savvy art type told us the most important guideline pertaining to framing: “The client will always pick the art,” he said. “You then do the best you can do.” Aging Eye? simple tips on specifying art for senior environments Art for facilities aimed at the aging requires special attention—and has a set of rules all its own. Design experts offer five guidelines: • Strive for clarity. Avoid abstract or confusing images. • Choose light, bright colors. It’s all about compensating for yellowing caused by the aging eye. • Select simple, even nostalgic, themes. Look for emotionally pleasing pieces. • Allow for approachability. Consider that art may be touched by viewers. • Create positive cues. Art that provides sensory cues (stilllife fruit in a dining area, for example) can provide helpful memory triggers among the elderly. Thank you to the experts who provided information and ideas for Product Resources: Faustino “Tino” Grana, Art:asap, New York City; Jeri Sipherd and Jessica Thionnet, Arden & Associates, Piedmont, Oklahoma. Reprinted with permission © Hospitality Design Magazine.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - August 2003

NEWH - August 2003
Contents
Letter From the Editor
Hospitality News
On the Road Again
Calling All Entries
Tips on Specs
The Creation of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort
Signature Golf Resorts
Designing a Golf Clubhouse
International Purchasing
Creating a Vision for Clubhouse Renovations
Signage for Today’s Golf Resort
The History of Nightclubs
To See and Be Seen
Appealing to the Senses
Marysol–Real and Magical in the Windy City
The Juggling Act—The “Ooh and Aah” vs. Value Engineering
Cork—Not Just for Wine Bottles Anymore
Lessons Not Learned: Life Safety Issues From the Cocoanut
Small Business Advice...
Things to Consider When Building, Renovating or Expanding
Industry Partner Education
Sources and Credits
Bios

NEWH - August 2003