7 reasons to take an integrated art approach to your project
It embeds a story, not just tells a story. In the design world, we often hear that good design tells a story, and true enough there are some great stories out there told through design. But just as often the story is expressed through framed artwork that can just as easily be removed due to budget, timing or client opinion. Once a piece of that story is taken away, then the overall narrative starts to make less sense. By integrating the artwork into the physicality of a given space, then the story is preserved for as long as the room itself stands.
It creates a canvas of integrity. The dialogue between Interior Designer and Artist right now is the designer asking the artist to create something unique inside of strict guidelines: we need a really strong piece here in this color palette that honors the local sense of place and simultaneously acknowledges our concept of blah-blah-blah. Artists must sacrifice the integrity of their artwork in order to be produced on mass-scale for a design that is established by others. However, if we change the dialogue between Interior Designer and Artist, it could sound more like this: here is the design of the space – you have this area on this wall to do your thing. If we have art integrated into the design from the beginning, then opportunities for artists to create are protected, and room is made for the integrity of the canvas.
It surprises and delights. Integrated art can deliver the unexpected. It’s part of a cohesive design approach, but at the same time can create a talking point. At its very best it draws people to a venue just to see the art, and at its very worst will leave people murmuring about something more personal. But a space that is talked about is a space remembered.
It works with timelines. Timelines on projects are getting shorter and shorter with clients often wanting a fully developed concept turned around in half the number of weeks as was hoped. This is a challenge in itself and doesn’t leave time for meaningful engagement with an art consultant let alone an artist. What it does leave is time for art to be integrated into the interior designers realm and designating the most high impact areas for the fine artist.
It can give you a bigger bang for your buck. Money designated to fixed elements, furniture pieces or decorative light fixtures won’t take away from an art budget and may even help that budget to remain intact. The approach to the budget is as integrated as the art itself. ‘Art’ costs can be managed earlier in the project, reducing the risk of clients to leave pennies in an art budget later in the project.
It changes the perception of a space - in a good way. Integrated art, as art in general, changes the viewers mood. When done really well it is an element of surprise which makes guests feel special. The sense of discovering something new that has been laid out there for you but in a subtle way makes you feel clever by finding out about what it means and why it is there.
It supports every other discipline, not just the Interior Design, but also the lighting, architecture, everything that relates to a hospitality project. Integrated art if done well, enhances all disciplines.