Inspiration
How To Decorate Your Office With Art
Perhaps you want to make a good first impression on a new client? Or maybe improving the wellbeing and productivity of your valued workforce is your goal? Breathing more life into the space with some office wall art can make a huge difference.
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Is the ‘selfie’ the latest genre of contemporary art?
The renowned Saatchi Gallery launched the world’s first selfie exhibition in 2018. Titled ‘From Selfie to Self Expression’, the collection of front-facing camera shots was on view at the Sloane Square based gallery in March 2017, running for two months. Alongside exploring the role that the selfie plays within the world of art, it also aims to highlight the smartphone as an artistic medium, commissioning 10 artists to produce work using only their mobile phone. As the world of art prepares to open its doors to this medium and subject matter for the first time, we can’t help but ask the question – is the selfie the latest genre of contemporary art? And how long will it be until it becomes the norm, seen in galleries beside still life paintings, abstracts and more? Rising to mainstream popularity in 2013 when it was named Oxford English Dictionary’s ‘Word of the Year’, many now mock the selfie, seeing it only as an end-product of vanity. Something which can be easily re-produced by anyone possessing a smartphone. Yet, on the other hand, surely it is the ultimate form of self-expression. It’s one that, aided by the internet, can be completely controlled and manipulated by the person who makes it. Is this not an artistic notion in itself? The act of capturing one’s own image and presenting it for the public to see is not new. Although the first ever photographic ‘selfie’ is thought to have been produced in 1839, the self-portrait has been a respected genre of art since the 15th century, spawning many famous paintings from the likes of Lucian Freud, Frida Kahlo and of course, Van Gogh. Here at Abstract House, we also have many self-portraits, even in the form of a photograph. Is the selfie just a natural, modern day development of this celebrated art form? Like anything in art, the answer may lie in the reason or meaning behind each individual selfie. Not every personal picture that is posted on snapchat, Instagram or stored in a phone is a work of art. However, if it was created with the intention of displaying the subject’s personality via creative means or has a poignant cultural significance then perhaps, yes, the selfie could be considered a form of contemporary art. Do you agree? There are certainly many selfies out there that are fantastic to look at, portraying the same sense of awe, beauty, curiosity and charm that any piece of original art would. And ‘From Selfie to Self Expression’ celebrates this, showcasing modern day selfies alongside ‘Old Masters’ such as Van Gogh, mentioned previously, and other respected ‘self portrait’ artists such as Cindy Sherman. So is the selfie now an established genre of contemporary art? Do you respect the selfie as an art form or is it just a fad? We love to hear your opinion – share your thoughts in the comments below.
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How to hang contemporary art for maximum impact
How to hang contemporary art for maximum impact A piece of stunning contemporary art has the power to transform the appearance, feel, and atmosphere of a room. But how you hang it is just as important and shouldn’t be an undervalued step if you want to achieve maximum impact for your artistic investment. In fact, the process of hanging contemporary art can be akin to painting a picture itself – a process of considering and balancing space, proportion, style, and colours. Modern, original art that’s displayed with awareness for how to showcase it to the best of its ability can become a contemporary focal point of a space for all the right reasons. From avoiding the common pitfalls of hanging art to trying something different, these tips can help you hang art to achieve the greatest impression: Think about the height. A common mistake is to hang art too high on the wall. Ideally you want the centre of the picture to be at eye level. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, such as if furniture is below the picture or if you want to draw the eye upwards to another feature. Make sure you have two hanging points. Hanging your picture from a single point might seem like a quicker option but after investing in a beautiful piece you don’t want to risk it falling. Not only that but it’ll make sure that it doesn’t shift and throw off the whole look over time. Be aware of how your room slopes. You might be tempted to hang your picture perfectly straight but this can sometimes highlight how your room slopes. Take a careful look at your room to see if your ceilings and other features are level. It might be a better option to hang your art to reflect these rather than opting to get the spirit level out. Consider the frame. A frame can take your contemporary art to the next level. Some pieces of art and photographs look great unframed but others need a frame to give extra definition, plus it’ll provide protection for your original art. A high-quality frame that matches the style of your art is a must if you choose to frame. Draw attention to contemporary art. Art is made to be viewed and appreciated so draw attention to it. Creating a minimal look around the hanging, using accent lighting, and designing a contrast with the rest of the room, are great ways to achieve maximum impact for your purchase. Remember that rules are made to be broken. While you’ll find plenty of rules, sometimes breaking them can be the best option. After all, contemporary art often aims to be different, why shouldn’t it be displayed in a new way? You might be surprised at what works in your space.
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