Being an interior designer for a long time, you realize that you have to accept the fact that

No matter
How cool Space modeling is
How well the material selection matches
How advanced the color scheme is
in your interior design
But
The bad lighting effects will ruin the whole interior design style
Such as
The popular Theme Hotel on the Internet lately
Universal Studios Theme Hotel Beijing
Look at their lighting design

▷Universal Studios Theme Hotel Beijing

“Light” is thus less building material and more an expression of emotion. It plays an important role in interior design, especially in residential and office spaces where people stay longer. It’s not just about picking a lamp, so you must understand light if you want to become a qualified designer! Today, let’s talk about interior lighting design!

▷ The importance of indoor lighting

01

What is lighting design?

Lighting design has a strong catalytic effect on creating interior themes, focus points, and atmosphere, strengthening the sense of layer of interior space design. Before starting the lighting design, you should first choose the type of lighting, then define a way of lighting.

1. Lighting type

There are three types of lighting: ambient light, contour light and focus light.

A. Ambient light: general lighting source with the largest lighting range, which can not see the direct light source and direction clearly, with soft lighting.

B. Contour light: mainly emphasizes the contour of the walls and ceiling, creates the feeling of layers of space, and adds to the interior’s beauty.

C. Focus light: relatively lighting small range, light focused, mainly used to create partial atmosphere.

2. Lighting mode

Lighting modes mainly include direct lighting, indirect lighting, diffuse lighting, effect lighting, focal lighting, wall washing.

A. Direct lighting

It should be careful and avoid too bright, which will make “hard” shadows and lead to visual fatigue. Also, notice avoiding placing it on surfaces prone to glare or reflection, such as mirrors or glass.

B. Indirect lighting

Indirect lighting is mainly reflected from one surface and then spreads throughout the environment.

C. Diffuse lighting

It will mainly be reflected off the ceiling and walls to achieve the desired effect, and the ambient lighting will be very even.

D. Effect lighting

The light source for effect lighting is usually built in the ceiling or architectural elements, such as the interior for finishing molding or the exterior for landscaping or facade effects.

E. Focal lighting

Focal lighting (spotlights) is a light source directly above a prominent object (such as a painting or sculpture). Commonly used in residential, commercial environments, museum Spaces. But be heedful about illuminance, because things will get hotter under direct light.

F. Wash Wall

Wash Wall is an ideal choice for highlighting the appearance and enhancing the building by using a series of lighting points in series or through led strips to produce a so-called “wash light” on the surface.

02
How to create an interior vibe with light?

For lighting design in the room, it is impossible to use only one way to create a room environment, instead using different techniques combined to meet the design needs.

There are no specific provisions for interior lighting creating know-how. To make it easy to understand, we will sum up the above 8 kinds of lighting into 3 categories: direct lighting, indirect lighting, deductive lighting.

1. Direct lighting

Direct lighting is the primary means of lighting in the space, which can serve as the basis, function, focus, decoration and other lighting, but
the form of lighting varied with the room and the requirements for use.

Workspace is mainly to improve work efficiency. In addition to considering its functions in hotel lighting design, it also considered creating a quiet and comfortable environment, and its brightness and illumination need to be reduced. In the hospital interior, more shadowless design and meet the needs of diagnosis and treatment.

In addition, direct lighting can also be considered decorative lighting, like soft film ceiling design, which is a way to combine basic lighting, lamp types, and decorative effect.

2. Indirect lighting

Indirect lighting is generally used as auxiliary lighting and decorative lighting, while in small spaces or spaces with low demand for brightness, indirect lighting can also be used as basic lighting.

A. Basic lighting

When used as basic lighting, the most common application scenarios are stair steps and handrails, but it is necessary to pay attention to the material of ground pavement to avoid dazzling light caused by the reflection of the light source.

B. Decorative lighting

Serve as adornment lighting, and it is mainly applied for special outline in a cabinet lighting and ceiling, metope outline. In addition, indirect lighting can also be combined with indoor or furniture decoration through the combination of backlighting and silhouette and other artistic techniques.

3. Deductive lighting

Unlike the practicality of direct lighting, deductive lighting mainly creates atmosphere, which can create a plot setting, dramatic, artistic, creative, and technological space scene.

The above is the most basic general knowledge about lighting design. As an interior designer, do you have these problems after reading it?

1. What are the principles of interior space lighting arrangement?
2. How to use scientific lighting parameters in indoor projects?
3. How to choose lamps and lanterns after rendering of lighting?
4. How to do lighting design in home decoration space?
5. What are the routines of lighting layout in commercial space?

These problems are the concern for every interior designer, but also a key directly determines whether use lighting in a good way in the interior space.

If you want to explore more information for lighting design, SOA-ARTS will help you.

Contemporary artists, famous works, and the audiences who flock to them are shaping the modern world of art as we know it today. Some of the best contemporary artists out there continue to redefine our relationship with and attitude towards the world around us.

At SOA Arts, we have a long history of sourcing, curating, and producing world-class art for businesses and individuals. Over the years, we’ve learnt a thing or two about modern art artists and their work.

In this post, we’ll celebrate some of the contemporary names that continue to make waves and inspire generations with their art. Read on to learn more!

Contemporary Artist Definition

So what makes an artist contemporary? Does it have anything to do with the style of work they produce? In this article, we’ve only considered artists who are still working and creating art today.

Their pieces are still regularly featured in art galleries worldwide, and their names are well-known to art-lovers in 2021. It is the contemporary artist definition we’re working with here.

It differs from the term ‘modern art’, which most typically refers to art and artists from a specific period – namely the 1860s to the 1970s.

Contemporary Artists’ Famous Works

Right – let’s get into it! The list below contains some of our favorite contemporary artists in 2021.

Fred Clark

Originally training at the Prince’s Drawing School in 2012, this British contemporary artist lived and worked in London for over 10 years. His work consists of oil paintings, innovative brushstrokes, and captivating metal sculptures.

Seville, rooftops,  (Photos courtesy of Fred Clark Art)

Images via www.fredclarkart.com

Clark has exhibited work around the world and continues to shake up the world of sculpture and painting in everything he does.

Yayoi Kusama

If you’ve never encountered the work of Yayoi Kusama before, you’re in for a real treat. This contemporary artist produces artworks unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Her paintings, films, and photographs are all exceptional.

YAYOI KUSAMA, Infinity Mirrored Room－Love Forever, 1994, mirror, metal, electric bulb and wood, 240 × 210 × 205 cm. Courtesy Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, image via ArtAsiaPacific

Installation view of YAYOI KUSAMA’s Dots Obsession, 2015, for “A Dream I Dreamed” at Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. Courtesy Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, image via ArtAsiaPacific

What really captivates our attention, however, are her ‘infinity room’ installations that make use of mirrored walls, water, and lighting fixtures. This artist’s work explores her experience of living as a Japanese person in America and several other engaging themes.

Jenny Saville

‘I feel like I’ve just started’ … Jenny Saville in her Oxford studio. Photograph: Pal Hansen for the Observer, image via www.theguardian.com

This incredible artist explores notions of bodily perception and the human form. She’s probably most well-known for her huge oil paintings of female figures. These paintings go beyond classical depictions of the naked form and challenge the growing orthodoxy of modern abstraction techniques.

Hyphen, 1999, oil on canvas, 108 x 144 inches (274.3 x 365.8 cm) Artwork © Jenny Saville, courtesy Gagosian, image via www.americamagazine.org

One Out of Two (Symposium), 2016, by Jenny Saville. Photograph: Mike Bruce/courtesy the artist and Gagosian Gallery, image via www.americamagazine.org

Fragility, resilience, and humanity are all explored through human flesh. Jenny Saville’s work may not be for the faint of heart, but it’s unlikely to be forgotten any time soon.

Antony Gormley

This incredible artist gained notoriety for his striking metal sculptures, producing drawings and other paper-based works. From the imposing 20-meter-tall structure known as the Angel of the North to his otherworldly humanoid figures, Gormley’s work is recognized and celebrated both in the UK and abroad.

SHELVE, 2020, image via antonygormley.com

Antony Gormley, Another Time XVIII 2013 (Loading Bay), Another Time XXI 2013 (Coronation Parade), commissioned by the Creative Foundation for Folkestone Triennial 2017. Image by Thierry Bal.

In recent years, his sculptures and drawings have found homes in England, Spain, Germany, France, the United States, and beyond. It’s hard to imagine the contemporary art world without this man’s influence.

Get in Touch Today

Looking for world-class art for your hotel, business, or personal collection? We’ve got over 10 year’s experience in sourcing, creating, and producing art for practically any occasion. Our Chinese art factory has everything you need to get started.

Whether you’re wondering where to begin or know exactly what you’re looking for, get in touch today, and a member of our team will be more than happy to help.

For high-quality wholesale art – think SOA Arts.

Still anybody who doesn't know Morandi's color palette? His color palette seemed to become synonymous with high aesthetics overnight. He has a Buddha-like attitude towards life and wants to escape the outside world. In today's world, it feels just like us. We had to stay at home, but he chose to cut socialize.

Giorgio Morandi

Giorgio Morandi (July 20, 1890 – June 18, 1964) was an Italian painter and printmaker who specialized in still life.

Giorgio Morandi' Life

Giorgio Morandi spent most of his life in Bologna, in northern Italy. It is home to the oldest University in Europe, the University of Bologna, established during the Middle Ages. At the same time, at the end of the Renaissance, the three Karachi brothers founded the earliest European Academy of Fine Arts in the same place -- Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna [Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna].

Self-portrait

Giorgio Morandi studied at this school and became a teacher there at his 40, teaching etchings.

He has a very regular life, except teaching, only painting at home, almost no social contact. Italian art historian Leo Longines once described Giorgio Morandi as follows:

"In an ordinary town, where everyone is short and fat, Giorgio Morandi is tall and thin and wears loose clothes, like the people walking in Giacometti's works."

Giorgio Morandi, 20, the eldest son, was already a pillar of the family, making ends meet by teaching children how to paint shuttling between the four blocks of the old town.

When you look for his course of life, you can't find any records that he was ever in love, let alone married. In his 74 years, he seldom left his native land, living with his three single sisters for most of his life.

Except at the age of 25, Morandi was sent to military service and experienced the historical traces of World War I. He spent a month and a half in the 2nd Parma Grenade Corps before being rushed to hospital with severe illness and leaving the hospital.

When he got home, he seemed to lose interest in the outside world. At most, he takes day trips to Venice, Milan or Florence to see exhibitions.

But it was only when he was older than he ventured out of Italy, once to see a Cezanne exhibition in Switzerland and once to Paris.

Cezanne could have Giorgio Morandi walking out of the house because his art influenced him when he was a student.

Beginning in 1913, he painted a landscape of the SAN Victor Mountains at his family's summer home; Two years later, an attempt to imitate Cezanne's "Five Bathers" was made, but there were structural problems.

After that, except a couple of self-portraits of himself as a young man, Giorgio Morandi eschewed figural images.

Self-portrait

He was fascinated by Cezanne, which is why he painted so many bottles and cans. Through the daily still life, he found his own way to reduce more, make the objects simple and the picture purer.

Still Life by Cezanne

Still Life by Morandi

The reason for choosing simple subjects, he said in an interview:

"I remembered Galileo's words: the true book of philosophy, the book of nature, is a far cry from our own alphabet. The words are triangle, square, circle, sphere, pyramid, cone, and other geometric shapes. Galileo's ideas supported my long-held belief that the visible world is a world of forms, and that it is difficult, if not impossible, to put into words the feelings and images that sustain it. They are ultimately feelings, feelings that have no connection to daily events."

Morandi Color Palette

In the artist's studio, there are two paint boxes he used during his lifetime, one of which is filled with various glass bottles containing stone powder.

As you can see, Morandi's color palette is more traditional: ground stone, mixed with oil and colored with tubular pigments, which were invented in the mid-19th century.

Therefore, the color on the canvas has a very high purity and transparency. The method looks easy, but the modulation is very complicated.

Balthus once said: "Morandi is undoubtedly the closest European painter to Chinese painting, and he was frugal to the extreme in materials. His artistic realm is consistent with Chinese art in concept."

When he died, people called the color tendency of his paintings "Morandi color palette", which profoundly influenced the design and fashion industry.

All images via Google

Do you know where Morandi color is applied? Feel free to comment below.

For the past year and a half, millions of people worldwide have been cooped up inside their homes, isolating themselves from society in a bid to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Contemporary fine art photographer Jeremy Dennis, however, experienced the pandemic differently.

COURTESY JEREMY DENNIS

A tribal member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, New York, Jeremy Dennis is best known for using art to explore indigenous identity, culture, and assimilation. One of his most popular projects is “On This Site,” which combines photography with an interactive map to showcase the various culturally significant Native American sites found across Long Island.

In 2020,  Jeremy Dennis was forced to move in with his parents after the pandemic cut short his plans of attending an artist’s residency. There, he decided to begin renovations on his childhood home, which his family had abandoned more than a decade ago. It soon became clear, though, that it was much too big for himself, even if the extra space was taken up by his art.

The image via sttlmnt.org

It led to Dennis creating “Ma’s House and BIPOC Art Studio,” a residency exclusive to artists of color. The home is located on the Shinnecock reservation, which lies between Shinnecock Bay and Southampton. The latter is infamous for being the summer playground for America’s elite – a stark contrast to the fact that one in five Shinnecock tribe members reportedly live below the poverty line.

Jeremy Dennis named the residency after his grandmother, Loretta Silva, who also went by the names “Ma” and “Princess Silva Arrow of the Shinnecock Nation.” She was the first to live in the house, building it in the 1960s using scrap materials, such as joints and studs salvaged from a 19th-century church. Not only did she raise her family there but she also used it as a site to bring the community together through events like backyard powwows that featured traditional foods and handmade crafts.

Ma’s House and BIPOC Art Studio before the renovation.COURTESY JEREMY DENNIS

As the years passed, the home gradually fell into disrepair and it was finally abandoned shortly after Dennis turned 13. He returned to it nearly a decade later, shocked at the extent of the damage that it had sustained and determined to make it livable once more.

To restore his childhood home, Dennis launched a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $50,000. On the page, he explained the house’s significance to both his family and the wider Shinnecock community. He also talked about his dream of carving out a special place for artists of color, writing:

Dennis at Ma’s House. COURTESY JEREMY DENNIS

“All of the health disparities and economic injustice within minority communities that have become clear during the COVID-19 pandemic and rise of social justice activism against police brutality, bigotry, and systemic racism show, to me, a deep urgency for artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to have safe spaces for free creativity and healing. I believe that “Ma’s House” can provide this space for BIPOC artists and all people who support and uphold moral values for equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

So far, the fundraiser has reached a whopping $41,882, which has enabled Dennis to clear the home from white mold, as well as erect floors and walls. This money has also allowed him to file paperwork to turn Ma’s House into a full-fledged non-profit organization.

Jeremy Dennis, Wake, 2019 COURTESY JEREMY DENNIS

The residency has gained a ton of support from the local community, both within the Shinnecock Indian Nation and those residing in Southampton.

“I find [Dennis’] work to be both very challenging and accessible,” explained Toni Ross, an artist and business owner from East Hampton who donated to the fund. “So I wanted to support [Ma’s House]. But moreover, I loved the idea of helping address some of the barriers that exist between the Shinnecock nation and those of us out East who are not part of the tribe.”

Besides money, others have also made various contributions to Ma’s House, in a bid to turn it into a safe and artistic space for BIPOC creators. For instance, donated plants make up the bulk of the back garden while Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters gifted Dennis with a beehive that stands nearby.

Jeremy Dennis, Nothing Happened Here, 2016 COURTESY JEREMY DENNIS

While renovations are far from over, several people – apart from Dennis – have already moved into Ma’s House. Among them was multimedia artist Yanyan Huang, who spent two weeks there and produced an exhibition called “Time Cloud,” which showcased the Shinnecock Indian Nation’s origin myths.

The renowned screenwriter, actress, and filmmaker Allie Mitchell also spent a week in Ma’s House, polishing scripts for pilot episodes that she was hoping to pitch to studio executives.

“Everyone has been really welcoming and kind, as well as generous with their time,” Mitchell said when asked about her tenure in Ma’s House. “There’s a strong sense of community on the reservation and I think people are excited and supportive of what Jeremy is doing to bring more art to the reservation.”

Jeremy Dennis, Nothing Happened Here, 2016 COURTESY JEREMY DENNIS

Artists staying at Ma’s House are encouraged to find a way to give back to the community. For instance, Huang hosted weekly open studios and other arts programs while Mitchell performed one of her scripts, which entertained many.

In addition to these programs, Dennis also launched a series during the summer called “Gather,” which saw BIPOC educators and artists giving talks about topics that they felt passionate about. Other similar events are currently being planned for the upcoming fall and winter season.

Given all these, it’s clear that Ma’s House is proof that a diverse and creative space can thrive amid the wealth, opulence, and exclusivity of the Hamptons.

△CULLMAN & KRAVIS

AMERICAN MIX AND MATCH STYLE

MIX AND MATCH style emphasize “freestyle in appearance but united in spirit”. On the surface, many different styles exist in the same space, and layered styles are everywhere. It is possible that in a design, there is both classical aestheticism and modern intellectual beauty. CULLMAN & KRAVIS specializes in finely layered design, mixture of antiques from all periods and modern art, all with incredible attention to detail, with new interpretations of traditional and classical interiors that are layered and historical, but never stuck-y or pedantic.

01
HAMPTONS WATERFRONT

Cullman&Kravis has been known for providing the best quality design and personalized service since it was founded by Ellie Cullman in 1984. Work closely with clients to achieve their aesthetic concepts and practical needs while adhering to established budgets.

02
DOWNTOWN CHIC

Ellie has been named best Designers and Architects by the prestigious “AD100” Architectural Digest since 2000. In January 2005, she was named to the “Dean of American Design” list, and in October 2009 she received the “Star of Design” award for her D&D building project in New York City.

Space is limited, but fully functional kitchen

Along with colleague TraceyPruzan, Ellie collaborates with “decorating master classes: the path to Cullman Kravis” and “interior decorating details: the decorating relationship with Cullman&Kravis.” She also hosts various antiques shows, including the Subway Show, the Park Avenue Antiques Show, and the American Patrons Masters Council in London in 2013.

03
CONTEMPORARY BEACH HOUSE

A strong supporter of the arts, Ellie has worked as an exhibition assistant at a Japanese gallery and as a guest curator at an American Folk Art Museum. In addition, she is a member of the Contemporary Council of the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Objects and Conservation Access Committee.

04
WESTCHESTER ESTATE

Elegant and practical was C&K’s first objective, Ellie’s utmost pride comes from the fact that each of their homes reflects the owner’s personality, and no two projects are alike.

05
UPPER EASTSIDE GEORGIAN

The goal of C&K’s work was to redefine the traditional interior in order to achieve a “modern traditional” aesthetic. With this fresh concept, the point of view is modern, while still respecting the company’s 30-year history. Use antiques and origins from all ages with contemporary artwork, custom furniture, and unique textiles to create complex and layered dynamic interiors.

When asked Cullman & Kravis by Artemest, “What is the one design/decor you cannot imagine your clients (or yourself) living without?”

“Art! No matter how perfect a room is down to every last detail, a space doesn’t truly come to life until there is art hanging on the walls.”

YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR INCREDIBLE ARTS

At SOA Arts, we’re proud to be one of the best wholesale art suppliers in the world. We have over ten year’s experience in creating, sourcing, and curating paintings for rooms. We have an intimate understanding of interior design and how it can transform your business’ potential.

Whether you need a large volume of high-quality artwork, want to commission something special, or are just unsure where to start, we’re more than happy to help you on your search.

Get in touch today and let’s make something beautiful!

Looking for interior design ideas? You’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll explore some of our favorite tips for softer, more welcoming interiors. We’ll give some specific examples and provide a few interior design tips along the way for good measure.

The way you choose to present your interior says a lot about who you are and what you want the space to represent. If you manage a property like a hotel or a venue, the design you choose can mean the difference between success and failure.

The good news is that with just a few interior design tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding the soft decoration motifs that work for you.

Read on to boost your soft decoration skills!

Tip 1 – Experiment With Pastel Colours

Source and credit: @em_henderson

A huge part of perfecting your soft decor is finding a color scheme that fits perfectly. As a general rule, light colors will serve you well in this regard. Plenty of whites and cream colors should be used to take advantage of as much available light as possible.

Pastel colors are another tool at your disposal that can make all the difference. Think soft pinks, reds, blues, and anything else in between. The key here is to find colors that complement each other and bring out the vibrancy of your space.

Take the above post from interior designer Emily Henderson, for example. Notice how the pinks, whites, and purples in the room all complement and elevate each other. The pastel colors used in this room form part of a larger whole rather drawing too much attention individually.

Source and credit: @em_henderson

One of the interior design ideas we love here is the use of a darker back panel behind the bed. This use of light and color works very well in our opinion.

Tip 2 – Find Artwork That Fits the Room

Once you’ve nailed down your chosen soft color scheme, it’s time to find artwork and prints that tie it all together. Spend some time researching artists online that fit within your current design.

The good news is that there’s a veritable slew of work out there that makes use of lighter, more pastel motifs. When it comes to softer decorating techniques, these artworks tend to be perfect.

If sourcing artwork yourself is proving to trickly, there’s no shame in relying on the experts. Our Chinese art factory has over a decade’s experience in sourcing and producing art that’s perfect for your interiors.

Tip 3 – Make Use of Your Space

Soft decoration and the interior design ideas that come with it all depend on light, bright motifs that make your rooms feel spacious and open. For this reason, it’s very important that you consider your available space closely and make use of every inch.

Natural light in particular is your best friend here. Avoid blocking your windows or light fixtures with unnecessary elements. The more natural and soft light you can have in your space, the better your chances of it all coming together perfectly.

Get in Touch Today

Whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or need help knowing where to start, SOA Arts are ready and waiting. We’re experts at curating, producing, and implementing art from around the world to create interior designs that are simply perfect.

Get in touch today and let’s make something beautiful!

The fire at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019 via Getty Images

When part of the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral caught fire on April 15, 2019, people across the globe were understandably shocked. The aftermath was devastating – not only were the roof and spire totally destroyed, but the vaulted ceilings and several windows sustained extensive damage, as well.

A fundraising campaign that was quickly launched managed to raise over €1 billion in a matter of days. Unfortunately, experts estimated that it would take at least two decades before the cathedral would be restored to its former glory.

STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images

The past two years have seen restoration efforts continuing, although they’ve been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns in France. However, this slow path to healing has been a source of inspiration for many artists, including Bill Fontana.

A renowned sound artist from the San Francisco Bay Area, Fontana’s work has been displayed in museums like the Tate Modern in London, the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, and the Whitney in New York City. In 2013, he even collaborated with CERN, the world’s leading arts and science program that seeks to bridge the gap between artists and physicists.

Artist Bill Fontana with the clapper for the largest and oldest of Notre Dame’s ten bells, Emmanuel Courtesy of the artist  via The Art Newspaper images

Fontana is best known for revealing hidden sounds from unexpected locations. For instance, his “Acoustical Visions of the Golden Gate Bridge” was a live multimedia portrait that captured six months’ worth of audio and video footage using a microphone affixed to the iconic landmark. Meanwhile, “Desert Soundings” explored the unique voice of the sand dunes outside of Abu Dhabi.

This year, Fontana has taken on his biggest project yet – bringing to life the sounds of Paris, France through the Notre Dame Cathedral, which has remained largely silent for the past two years.

To accomplish his contemporary art project, Fontana plans to record the sounds “heard” by the medieval church through its ten massive bells. Titled “Silent Echoes Notre Dame,” this audio will then be live-streamed to audiences at the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (Ircam) in Paris before being taken to exhibitions in museums and cultural sites worldwide.

The Emmanuel bell is said to be the most harmonically beautiful in Europe Courtesy of Bill Fontana via The Art Newspaper images

“It’s a physical fact that these bells are actually vibrating all the time, it’s like a spirit that’s living inside of Notre Dame. It’s not dead, it’s alive,” explains Fontana in an interview. “When I had the opportunity in [July] to climb around in the bell towers, and actually physically access [the oldest and largest bell, named Emmanuel], and put my sensors on it to listen to what’s going on inside of it, I realized I was hearing a sound that probably nobody’s ever heard before that this bell is making and has been making continuously since 1681 [when it was recast].”

He adds, “It’s the voice, soul, the breath of the bell.”

Working closely with Icram, Fontana is beginning the project by installing an accelerometer device on Emmanuel, in a bid to capture the vibrations that the bell emits. He will then transform this into an audible sound that audiences will be able to hear and appreciate.

A gargoyle on the cathedral watches over Paris via The Art Newspaper images

Reaching out to the French authorities to gain access to Emmanuel and the rest of the bells hasn’t been easy, though. “It was a game of chess,” Fontana says. “And there were many days when there was a voice inside of me that said, ‘Bill, you’re crazy. You’re putting all this energy into this and you have no idea that you’re going to do it.’ It just gave me something to dream about during the pandemic because I couldn’t travel anywhere. And it was really good for my soul, in a way, to have this vision that I could think about.”

Luckily for Fontana, the physical structure of the bells remain intact, even though they haven’t tolled since the first anniversary of the fire last year. The nostalgic ring warmed the hearts of many Parisians, including Brice de Malherbe, a priest.

“My feeling today is mainly hope because the cathedral is still there,” he said. “We don’t have the blazing flames we had a year ago. Of course, the cathedral is hurt, but it seems nearly serene.”

This hope that de Malherbe, along with many other Parisians, felt upon hearing the bells toll is something Fontana hopes to evoke with “Silent Echoes Notre Dame,” which will be unveiled in June 2022.

When asked what he thinks the sound that all ten bells will emit will be like, Fontana replied “When you hear them together, reacting basically to the same ambient sound of Paris in the building of Notre Dame, my intuitions tell me that it’s going to be this beautiful shimmery harmonic curtain of these resonating vibrations. And to me, it’s a very emotional symbolic use of sound to make this public.”

As coffee shops gradually become an urban culture, almost every city has its own "Internet celebrity" coffee shops. Today, I would like to introduce 5 coffee shops called "Klein Blue". Blue symbolizes the sky and the sea, symbolizing no boundaries, and because "Klein Blue" is so pure, it is difficult to find a matching color to pop up in our vision. Therefore, it has a powerful impact. Take a look to get inspired!

01 | IKB+Gray+Wood

IKB Coffee | Qingdao, Shangdong

The shop contains two floors, with Klein blue as the main color, gray, wood color and other auxiliary colors. The matching color is simple and fancy.

The number 0:47:167 on the glass in front of the bar is a detailed design, exactly Klein blue's RGB ratio.

The clear-line block relationship full of advanced and new ideas comes from the derivation of the building layout. Under the strong impact of the overall block segmentation and color contrast is the primary paving for flow entry.

The lines in the whole layout are clean and elegant. The high-level sense of Morandi grey matches the mysterious Klein blue for a cohesive look, giving the coffee shop a layer of personality label.

The whole vision of the brand revolves around the number 0:47:167 while strengthening the connotation of the brand system through interesting and diversified extension.

Gray wall, Klein blue spiral staircase, through light and shadow interwoven, very artistic.

With bright yellow wood and Klein blue, coping the blue and gold matching color of the middle ages in Western Europe, supplemented by a small area of white, echoing the space, the simple wall is made very artistic.

In addition to these one-of-a-kind interior designs, blue designer toys are hidden in every corner, making this shop full of fashion.

Whether applied in space design or fashion communication, Klein blue can bring us a different feeling. Maintaining the continuity of space tonal and oneness is the key in interior designs. The stress of modern life often makes the body be in a state of exhaustion. It is usually the best way to reduce pressure to keep the simplicity of the space.

02 | IKB+Orange

Volcano Coffee| Nantong, Jiangsu

Throw into a romantic clashing of Klein blue and Hermes orange

Blue represents the sky, air, and water.
It is depth and infinity, freedom and life.
Blue is the essential color of the universe.
Blue is pure, and blue is stable.

City afternoon
Bored and hot
If you want to escape, too
Jump into the Klein blue

A splash of Hermes orange
It was like a tropical bouquet of congealed flowers
It looks like magma sloshing deep in the rock
A constant burst of life
Show your love with fervor

Afternoon in the street
Dry and busy

If you want to escape, too
Quietly wrapped in a dash of Hermes orange

The ensemble of Klein blue and industrial grey sets the tone of the space
The intense collision of Hermes Orange has a strong sense of visual impact
Light and shadow, nature and texture, purity and transparency
Perfect interpretation of the new romantic

03 | IKB+White+Gray+Black

NO COFFE NO WORK| Shijiazhuang, He Bei

Have you never been to NO COFFE NO WORK in Klein Blue, a cafe hidden in a vintage mansion?

A cafe inspired by International Klein Blue in a vintage mansion,
Large areas of white and Klein blue form a clashing design,
The floor terrace with the spread of green plants, showing a perfect visual effect

04 | IKB+White

BY JOVE | Xihu, Hangzhou

BY JOVE is a complex space designed by Mur Mur Lab, which includes flower sales, coffee drinks, household goods, and floral training.

The whole space uses Klein blue and pure white to create a "store of the future" full of imagination for us. Entering BYJOVE feels like falling into an abstract dream.
The space on the two floors is divided into coffee and floral art, art gallery, and floral classroom. The stair line with fancy design and arch door are having a vitality that cannot ignore.

At the entrance of store set up a flower art, here you can see the birth of flower works, even the decorative arts has flowers on the wall elements, such a "future store" probably already collected all the enjoyable pastime: drink coffee, do some flower art, delicate taste some dessert, in a dream full of flowers quietly in the space experience this rare experience.

Pure white design lives in an area as if an unreal dream, where can see home decors that boast a strongly modern design here.

This poetic space composed of Klein blue is also a hotbed for Joyce's florist dream to come true.

05 | IKB+Gold

サフアイヤ Coffee |   アイチケン

The bright yellow glass reflects on the clear surface of the coffee.

Contracted silver qualitative scoop is instantly swallowed by sweet alcohol.

Into a fantasy dream

It's time to say goodbye. Thanks for reading.

Hotel interior design is an unfathomably large industry. The atmosphere, appearance, and furnishings of a hotel building can make or break a guest’s experience. Some of the most successful and luxurious locations worldwide rely on the work of experienced artists and designers.

These professionals put an immense amount of thought into the way a hotel will be perceived by those who visit it. Paintings for hotel rooms are created, elaborate lobbies are devised, and the intricate details of each room are prepared to perfection.

This post is written as an ode to hotel art everywhere. We’ll explore some of the most exciting locations and how they make their hotels really shine.

Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis

This spectacular hotel in Minneapolis, US, is something of an art lover’s dream. It’s built to house some of the most contemporary and challenging art pieces from around the world.

A significant proportion of this building’s hotel art comes from the Young British Artist movement – a group of bleeding-edge modern artists who started exhibiting work together in the late 80s. Damien Hurst, Tracey Emin, and Sarah Lucas all fall within this loosely defined movement.

Visitors to the Le Meridien Chambers can expect nothing short of the highest levels of luxury. Every room is crafted to be relaxing, inviting, and uplifting. Hotel interior design like this can be hard to come by, but the Five Star Alliance group has excelled in this regard.

The Silo Cape Town Hotel

The Silo Cape Town Hotel was voted the best city hotel in Africa for 2020. To those who have had the privilege of visiting the establishment, this will come as no surprise. It’s located in the same building as the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art and is home to a world of color, art pieces, and breathtaking hotel interior design.

The hotel is built as “a celebration of art, style, architecture, and design.” Guests can enjoy a glamorous stay filled with art, style, and incredible experiences. Each room is individually designed by the esteemed curator Liz Biden.

One could stay in a different room each time they visit The Silo and encounter a totally different experience.

Le Royal Monceau

For lovers of art and interior design, nothing comes close to the beauty of Le Royal Monceau in Paris, France. The hotel is dedicated to housing incredible art both from the city itself and beyond. Its contemporary art gallery serves as a gateway to some of the most exciting works in the country.

Throughout the rest of the building, too, guests will quickly notice an accomplished hotel interior design. The stunning art deco building has been updated with more than its fair share of contemporary flair. If you have a taste for luxury and are in the city, we strongly recommend paying a visit to Le Royal.

Your Best Source for Incredible Hotel Interior Design

At SOA Arts, we’re proud to be one of the best wholesale art suppliers in the world. We have over ten year’s experience in creating, sourcing, and curating paintings for hotel rooms. We have an intimate understanding of interior design and how it can transform your business’ potential.

Whether you need a large volume of high-quality artwork, want to commission something special, or are just unsure where to start, we’re more than happy to help you on your search.

Get in touch today and see the difference for yourself!

Yves Klein

In the summer of 1947, three teenagers were lounging on a beach holiday in Nice. They talked freely to kill time and imagined that if they could "carve up" the world one day, what would they choose? One says he wants the land. Another wants to manage language, and the third person wants the sky. Later then, this 19-year-old kid who wanted the sky possessed the sky in an art form finally. He was Yves Klein.

Klein had a crush on blue at youth. He loved the different blues of the sea, for which he even learned to sail -- "Blue is the sky, water and air, depth and infinity, freedom and life, and blue is the essential color of the universe."

The true artist lets himself go. Klein is natural who "swims easily in the stream of his own temperament." When he first saw the Atlantic ocean, he poured a bottle of blue paint into it and exclaimed, "It's bluer than the Mediterranean!"

Yves Klein studied judo in Yokohama, taught French, and traveled throughout Asia.

Klein Blue became the true king of the circle breaking because of his dedication and obsession, and perhaps his former rival is Morandi. Why, you may wonder, has Klein Blue been a designer's favorite for more than half a century?

Let's find out the answer.

Klein Blue Ratio

Klein blue ratio is RGB: 0,47,167. RGB color mode, as it is known, is an industry-standard that defines different colors by the ratio of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. Enter this ratio, and you will also get Klein blue. It belongs to a color called Oltramarino, which means "blue from the sea" in Italian.

Klein Blue wallpaper in interior design

The pure blue evokes the expensive Oltramarino, originally ground only from lapis lazuli imported from Afghanistan and was quite expensive, more costly than gold. Since introduced to the West, it has become the exclusive color of Madonna's clothes, thus adding divinity and holiness to Oltramarino.

Praying Madonna by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Sa

Klein Blue is available from art materials stores in France, and the price is also high. But the most valuable embodiment is that people have continued his colors and even his ideas.

Klein lived only 34 years and became an artist for only eight years. He not only became the most outstanding representative of the new realism movement but also became the most outstanding French artist after the Second World War, leaving thought-provoking works of art for the world.

Klein thought that in painting, lines were like prison bars, while pure color symbolized absolute freedom. One of his favorite words was, "Impregnation." He also liked the sponge because both were the perfect match. Klein hoped people could forget explanations, forget the knowledge of the painting in their mind when they look at the images, like a sponge, call on all the senses to feel the painting, and be contained in the meaning of the blue.

How Did Klein Blue Form?

Yves Klein, Jonathan Swift (Anthropometric 125)

It had something to do with his joining a group called the Rosicrucian in 1947. "Rose Cross society" is an organization with religious nature and free form that arose in Germany in the early 17th century and became popular in Europe and America for a long time. The group advocates people to put their mind over their body and their material over their spirit in pursue of the harmony between human life and the spirit of the universe.

Klein followed this purpose, so he tried to pursue it and wanted to express his ideas through art.

When Did International Klein Blue Come Into Being?

In 1954, at the age of 26, Klein entered the art world with the concept of transcending the visible and reaching the invisible, which he had learned from Judo and Rosicrucian.

That year he rolled out his first paintings, called Monochrome. This monochrome painting is a uniform spread of color on a canvas, not only without an image, not even a line, as an abstract simplification to the extreme. Klein used blue, gold, and red in his monochrome paintings, with blue being his favorite color.

In 1956, with the help of a chemist, Klein synthesized a distinctive lapis lazuli blue, a color he patented in 1960 as International Klein Blue (IKB).

Klein Blue appeared in many of his later works; his "Anthropometry" series -- a carefully curated performance. Several naked women were covered in blue paint on paper with their bodies as brushes, whilst a band and an audience surround them.

Klein had unexpected success came after he showed his blue collection in Italy. Dino Buzzati, the "Kafka of Italy," endorsed Klein in a newspaper article, and Klein Blue purchased by Lucio Fontana, an art master, brought Klein international fame. Cyan and technological progress made Klein, and Klein made this blue.

Later, he was labeled as one of the most important representatives of Pop art. Along with Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, and Joseph Beuys, he was named one of the four greatest contributors to world art in the second half of the 20th century.

Nowadays, Klein Blue is applied in many areas, such as home decoration and costume art, do you know what else?  Welcome to share your ideas on the below.