Monthly Archives: November 2022

Source: Bridget Riley

Art is an abstract concept.

Even though it is illusory and abstract, artists have always been able to use realistic vehicles to present their visions in their own way - apparatus, environment, image, movement, atmosphere, sound, etc.

In this article, SOA Arts introduces four artists who use "one-dimensional lines" to break through and blur the boundaries of dimensionality. They transform the definition of the intangible into the tangible and, at the same time, turn what exists into an imaginary concept.

01

Co-founder of Op Art

Bridget Riley

British Painter

Founding Father of Light Effect Painting

Source: Bridget Riley

Originating in Europe in the mid-twentieth century, Op Art is a style of visual art that uses optical illusions.

It uses simple lines, geometric shapes, and bright or contrasting colors to create an eye-catching fluttering effect that causes visual exhilaration, thus creating a dynamic image in the visual effect.

Source: Bridget Riley

That's why Op Art is also known as visual illusion art, light effect art, visual art, light illusion art, or retinal art.

Bridget Riley is deeply influenced by nature, light and visual aspects, and drawing inspiration from nature is central to the creation of Riley's work.

In her early work, she used classic black, white, and gray tones to create a dizzying visual effect through the distribution of many lines.

Later, Bridget Riley gradually added "color" to her work, adding more visual bewilderment to the existing mixings.

Source: Bridget Riley

02

Op Art Representative Artists

Alberto Biasi

Italian Painter

Founder of Gruppo N

Source: Alberto Biasi

Alberto Biasi is known for promoting the development of kinetic art. In particular, his team Gruppo N, together with Gruppo T, "the origin of program art", researched, developed and named "optical art".

Source: Alberto Biasi

By combining the two elements of line and color, Biasi creates works that are illuminated by the light and the changing visual angles of the audience, creating the illusion of constant shifts and flashes.

Source: Alberto Biasi

03

American Visual Artist

EUN HYE KANG

New York School of Art and Vision, USA

Professor at the Academy

Source: Eunhye Kang

Eunhye Kang's work is rooted in the Korean language. She believes that Korean characters with geometric and abstract elements have great potential as a theme for design and fine art.

Under the geometric concept of lines, the space is analyzed through Korean lines, constantly combining images and architectural spaces.

Source: Eunhye Kang

Eunhye Kang composes and uses lines in an empty space to achieve a completely abstract image. The intersecting and overlapping lines give a sense of volume, gravity and movement to the otherwise thin and bland appearance.

In the process of continuous division, the lines also create numerous planes and virtual dimensions, presenting a complex visual effect and attracting the viewer's attention.

Source: Eunhye Kang

04

German Contemporary Sculptor

Monika Grzymala

Painter

Installation Artist

Source: Monika Grzymala

Monika Grzymala specializes in using tape to recreate the concept of space. She likes to set the scene with a conventional, traditional idea of the relationship between people and space.

Monika Grzymala explores the relationship between space and objects with a unique way of thinking and artistic form and style.

After thinking about how to show the relationship between individuals and space, Monica revisited the creation of dimensional space. She used tape as the primary medium to transform and reshape the space to its infinite possibilities.

Source: Monika Grzymala

Kilometers of tape twisted and tangled together, both like neurons in the human brain, connecting the wall, the space, the tape, and the audience together to create a connection. It is also like a sharp instrument that destroys the space, giving the scene a new atmosphere and definition.

Monica believes that her work is an extension of her thoughts, so she usually does not involve assistants in the creative process to ensure a visual display of her unique style.

Source: Monika Grzymala

Alberto Biasi

This collection is inspired by the very classic work of Italian artist Alberto Biasi. Alberto Biasi is one of the most essential Italian representatives of kinetic and procedural art. Broadly, his career began in the early 1960s in a research context "beyond painting and sculpture". His work is always based on the theme of perceptual research, and he believes that interaction with the viewer is an indispensable basis for artwork and an artistic movement. Biasi is also a co-founder of the art group Gruppo N, one of the advocates of the Arte Programmata movement. With "Gruppo T" in Milan, he established a pioneering branch of independent research in visual arts, which he named "Op Art".

Biasi's work has been included in 12 exhibitions at Gruppo N (including The Responsive Eye at the Museum of Modern Art, New York) and numerous solo exhibitions, the Venice Biennale, the São Paulo Art Biennale, the Rome Quadrennial, and the Continuitàe Nuovo exhibition at AZIMUT/H, Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

© Alberto Biasi (b.1937, Padua)  

Caduta libera, 2012 

Acrylic on incised canvas and wood   

70 x 60 cm (27.56 x 23.62 in)   

Provided by collectors

About Reproduction of Op Art

We use smooth ribbon to make "double twist body", and then make a little "tricky" on the backing, which can have a soft look and feel, but also can create the "visual illusion" that the static painting "moves". This "well-designed visual art" effect, that is, Op Art. (Attached is the client's actual scene)

Because the works are basically bespoke by the customer, combined with different owners or picture size requirements, the finished product has many different sizes and colors.

Nowadays, home decoration anchors into the ordinary family, inspired by creative artwork, indicating the improvement of everyone's general aesthetic and spiritual needs. If you are interested, feel free to contact SOA Arts.

Applicable Space

Living room | Dining room | Entrance hall | Aisle | Commercial space | Company lobby | Hotel Lobby

Today, I’d love to share with you four tips for the selection of custom sculpture manufacturers:

1 Choose the Entity Manufacturers

It’s better to choose the source entity manufacturers. Generally, entity manufacturers can support shipments on a large scale and quickly meet your needs. Moreover, the source entity manufacturers have their own workers and production lines, which can save the cost of multi-layer intermediaries and transports many times.

2 Choose Sculpture Manufacturers with Independent Design Ability

To choose a manufacturer with design capabilities. It generally has its own design capabilities to support customization. You can send the requirement you want directly to the designer, which can better meet your needs for sculpture.

3 To See the Manufacturer’s Equipment and Technology

Having the factory staff briefly talk about the technical capabilities of the manufacturer, you can look at the manufacturer’s workshop and production equipment via online video. Good equipment and technological capabilities are the guarantees of product quality.

4 Focus on the Service Attitude and After-sales Service

When choosing a factory, you should pay attention to after-sales service because the sculptures in later are involved in maintenance/repair and other matters, which need manufacturers with good after-sales capabilities to protect your statue and keep it beautiful in the long term and not easy to damage.

The above four tips are the points you need to pay attention to in selecting custom sculpture factories, be sure to choose sculpture manufacturers with strength and quality.

*****

Looking to revamp your hotel lobby? Got a growing art collection that needs some new pieces? Something else entirely? We're here to help. 

At SOA Arts, we have over a decade's worth of experience in producing, commissioning, and curating sensational art pieces from around the world. Whether you're scratching your head and wondering where to start or know exactly what you're looking for, get in touch today and we'll be happy to help! 

The Qatar World Cup has kicked off! All stadiums have now been completed, and the tournament has started. The Qatar World Cup is the first time in history that a World Cup soccer tournament has been held within a Middle Eastern country, and due to Qatar's hot climate, this is the first time in history that the game has been put in winter. As a small country with a population of less than 3 million, most of Qatar's land is covered by desert, and the biggest challenge in hosting the World Cup is building and effectively using the venues.

Many of the venues this time follow the concept of demountable, recyclable, and transformable so that the stadium can accommodate the number of people watching the World Cup and also adjust the scale after the World Cup to support the development of local sports. Let's take a look at these eight stadiums with their own characteristics!

01

Al Bayt Stadium

Architects: Dar Al-Handasa

© Dar Al-Handasa

The organizing committee said in an official statement that Al-Bayt Stadium will be served to hold the tournament's opening match, and it can be said that this will be the first stadium to debut in the World Cup.

The stadium takes the name of the traditional tent inhabited by desert dwellers in the Gulf region and its unique shape, and it can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators. Its tent-like design has a retractable roof that shades the structure and works with a cooling system to cool the stadium's interior.

The stadium opened in 2020 and will host 60,000 people during the soccer championship. The Qatar national team is the team on one side of the opening match, which will take place on November 21, 2022, at 13:00 local time.

The stadium is also closely integrated with urban traffic, with elevated highways that take spectators directly to the second-floor entrance and traffic flow lines that reference the airport design.

Sustainability has also driven the design of the area around Al Bayt Stadium. Parks and green spaces will be an integral part of the design plan for the surrounding area, creating a green lung for Al Khor and providing valuable outdoor space for local families.

02

Al Janoub Stadium

Architects: AECOM & Zaha Hadid

© Qatar2022

Al Janoub Stadium, formerly known as the South Stadium, was designed by Zaha Hadid and AECOM in November 2013, while AECOM was responsible for the structural design. 2014 saw the start of the construction of the stadium. The stadium also features a cooling system and a retractable roof.

Zaha Hadid, the designer of the South Stadium, has adopted a futuristic style with a shape conceived from Arabian sailing ships, echoing the maritime industry tradition of Al Wakrah. The stadium will host a number of matches, including the Round of 16.

The stadium has a retractable roof. Cooling equipment can lower the temperature to 18  ℃ in the spectator stand and 20  ℃ in the venue.

The roof is not only functional in regulating the temperature of the court, but in appearance the architectural lines of the roof are also very smooth and elegant when viewed up close.

© Qatar2022

The stadium's stands are modular, with two tiers of stands to accommodate 40,000 spectators during the World Cup; the upper tiers will be removed for charitable donations after the World Cup.

Zaha passed away in 2016 and did not get to see the construction of the stadium completed. The stadium also held events in Zaha's memory after its completion.

03

Al Thumama Stadium

Architects: Ibrahim M. Jaidah

© FIFA world cup

The stadium's design was conceived from the traditional woven hats worn by Arab men. With a capacity of 40,000 spectators during the World Cup, the stadium's playing field and spectator stands are air-conditioned.

Named Al Thumama after a locally found tree, the stadium has a unique circular shape. The stadium's large concrete bowl has a capacity of 40,000. Al Thumama Stadium will host matches, including the quarter-final stage of the tournament. Solar fans cooled air in this stadium and released into the field through large nozzles on the side of the pitch and grilles in the stands.

© Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy

After the World Cup, the upper stands of Tumama Stadium will be removed, reducing the capacity to 20,000 spectators and the seats will be donated to countries lacking sports facilities. The location of the stadium's upper stands will be replaced with a 60-room boutique hotel and sports medicine clinic. Basketball, volleyball, handball, swimming, running, and cycling courts will be built around the perimeter of the stadium, as well as commercial facilities and a mosque.

The plan is circular, and the facade consists of perforated white panels that mimic the woven pattern of a diamond.

The stadium's roof is a tension-suspended structure covered with a white textured membrane.

04

Lusail Stadium

Architects: Foster + Partners

© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners' centerpiece venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Lusail Stadium, is now operational, having hosted the Lusail Super Cup final between Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal SFC and Egyptian Super League champions Zamalek on September 9. The final match between Saudi professional league champions Al Hilal SFC and Egyptian Super League champions Zamalek on September 9 was a prelude to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which will begin later this year.

The stadium's design was inspired by the interaction of light and shadow in the form of "fan" lanterns. The design is based on an in-depth analysis of the brief and the client's requirements, as well as a respect and appreciation for Qatar's climate and cultural heritage. The exterior of the stadium is a polished golden container that shines in the sunlight.

© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

The façade features triangular openings that visually emphasize the bowl structure through a diagonal intersecting grid, creating a perforated barrier that provides shade and filtered dappled light to the interior concourse. The high-performance façade and innovative roof design reduce the stadium's energy consumption, and outdoor cooling technology maximizes comfort inside the open-air stadium.

The stadium is designed to create an immersive atmosphere for players and spectators alike. The relationship between the field and the stands is the starting point for the stadium design. Spectators enter the stadium through an vast grandstand, and the view opens up as they approach the entrance gate. The stadium bowl forms an enclosed "container" that comes to life with events and activities. As the largest stadium in the region, it will have the capacity to host the most spectacular international events.

05 

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Architects: Pattern Design & Ramboll

Pattern Design and Ramboll deconstructed the materials of the stadium using new structures on the site of the former Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium. Covered with glowing and color-changing multimedia screens and surrounded by a metal screen depicting patterns common in Qatari architecture, the stadium's design is inspired by sand dunes and Islamic architecture, and the building will host matches, including 16 rounds.

The stadium is located in Rayyan, across the street from the Rayyan Club and the Mall of Qatar, with Al Riffa station on the Green Line metro line close by.

The stadium will also be the future home of the local Rayyan Football Club, with a capacity of 40,000 spectators. The stadium is surrounded by curved concession stands, which take their shape directly from the sand dunes in the adjacent desert.

The stadium's most striking feature is the gleaming facade, composed of motifs representing the different characteristics of Qatar: the vital family, the beautiful desert, the native flora and fauna, and national and international commerce. The fifth shape, the shield, combines other graphics to symbolize strength and unity, and is also closely associated with the city of Rayyan.

06

974 Stadium

Architects: Fenwick-Iribarren Architects

© Fenwick-Iribarren Architects

The Qatar Ras Abu Abadi Stadium is one of the main stadiums for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Located on the waterfront in the Qatari capital of Doha, the venue covers 450,000 square meters and has a capacity of 40,000 spectators.

The stadium is the first fully disassembled and reusable stadium in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The stadium is built from recyclable containers set into the steel framework of the stadium, which looks like a Lego set stacked together from the outside and is truly a "green stadium".

© Fenwick-Iribarren Architects

As the first demountable and movable stadium in the history of the World Cup, the stadium seating will be divided into upper and lower tiers, and the modular upper tier of the stadium can be dismantled after the World Cup, reducing its total seating capacity by nearly half, and the dismantled facilities will be reused for overseas soccer development projects. In February, Chinese manufacturer Leading Sports also beat out a number of European and American competitors to become a supplier of seats for the stands at the Qatar World Cup stadium.

Containers for the Yukon Stadium arrived from Yangzhou, the Doha Metro's screen doors came from a Chinese supplier, and Ningxia University provided technical support for the stadium's turf irrigation technology.

07

Education City Stadium

Architects: Fenwick-Iribarren Architects

© Fenwick-Iribarren Architects

The stadium's facade is designed with an intricate diamond-shaped geometric pattern that blends traditional Islamic architectural styles with modern concepts and is known as the "desert diamond".

The stadium is the first of the Qatar 2022 Championship stadiums to receive a five-star sustainability rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System.

The stadium's façade is composed of triangles that form a complex diamond-shaped geometric pattern that changes color as the sun moves across the sky," said the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. The stadium's design represents the quality, durability and resilience that will make it something to cherish, both for the memories it holds and for its future value to the country."

© Fenwick-Iribarren Architects

During the day, the stadium's façade reflects different colors in response to the sun's rays. At night, the facade's lighting fixtures provide different color lighting effects. The stadium is equipped with cooling facilities. The Education City Stadium has a capacity of 45,350 spectators and 39 luxury boxes. After the World Cup, the stadium's capacity will be reduced to 20,000 spectators. The outside of the stadium has a soccer training ground, a golf course and stores.

It is planned that the Education City Stadium will host six matches in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament, one eighth-final and one quarter-final. After the World Cup, the stadium's upper deck stands will be dismantled and donated to other countries. After the World Cup, the Education City Stadium is used by students, staff and community members of nearby higher education institutions and also provides office space for a number of non-governmental organizations.

08

Khalifa Stadium

Architects: Dar Al-Handasah

© FIFA 2022

Named after the former Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the stadium was the final stadium of the 2011 Asian Cup and also serves as the home stadium of the Qatar national soccer team.

Built in 1976 in Al Rayyan, Khalifa International Stadium has long been a cornerstone of the country's sporting tradition and a gatekeeper to its promising future. The 40,000-seat arena already has an illustrious hosting history, having previously hosted the Asian Games, the Arabian Gulf Cup, and the AFC Asian Cup, among other events.

The stadium was redesigned prior to the 2006 Asian Games, expanding its seating capacity from 20,000 to 50,000. The stadium looks like a half-open shell, with a roof on the west side and a large platform on the east side. Before the renovation, the stadium was mainly used for soccer events, but also for other sporting events.

© FIFA 2022

The stadium has been redesigned for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and now has a further expanded capacity of 68,030 from the original 50,000. Located at the center of all 2022 venues, the stadium will play a pivotal role in the tournament, and its unique geography and state-of-the-art transportation system will make it the most connected international soccer event ever.

Perkins Eastman, in partnership with ECG, Piper Sports Facilities Consulting and Site Concepts International, designed the stadium to meet FIFA regulations and provide a variety of experiences for players, fans and sponsors.

The stadium, complete with practice and training fields, is part of a large complex that includes a swimming center, hotel, and other fitness and service facilities. The stadium contributes to the architectural vibrancy of Qatar's largest city and its growing reputation as the region's sports capital.

Source: Bradley Hart

Paper, one of life's most common items, is ubiquitous daily. Electronic products' popularity has also inadvertently distanced us from paper to some extent.

For these artists, the most common raw materials can also become fine artwork, changing the visual form through their deft hands and the collision of a different spark.

Follow us to learn more about the charm of handcraft and paper.

/"Garbage" Transformed into Artwork/

Bradley Hart

Ins: @bradleyhartnyc

Source: Bradley Hart

Bradley Hart uses bubble wrap, which can be found everywhere, to create his artwork.

He's a really handsome guy.

Yes, it's the one that always comes with the delivery.

The waste of bubble wrap and other packaging materials triggered the artist's thinking. He injected acrylic paint into the bubble wrap with a syringe, and each bubble became a pixel-like image in a large work.

Each injection is no small feat. Sometimes tens of thousands of bubbles are injected, a job that cannot be done quickly but only with patience and experience. Hart says that three per minute is the optimal speed, so you can imagine how much effort is required to make a painting.

No matter how careful he is, the paint will drip out of the bubbles, unexpectedly creating another aspect of artistry. Therefore, each of his paintings has a front and back side, a clear version, and a blurred version.

The dappled paintings are very impressionistic when viewed from behind.

Bradley Hart has been required to take injections for his MS disease, and he even uses the word "irony" when referring to this. The injection process in the painting is a metaphor for the morbid lifestyle of people who use social media to punctuate their lives.

Source: Bradley Hart

Reem Altwaim

Ins: @reemtwaim

Source: Reem Altwaim

Cardboard boxes are a necessity in today's life. So, what should we do with broken cartons? Should we just throw them away?

Reem Altwaim, a young female artist from Saudi Arabia, always adds a few strokes to the most insignificant everyday objects and turns them into a delicate and lovely piece of art. The layers and patterns of corrugated paper inspire Altwaim's creativity, and a broken cardboard box becomes a new piece of art in her eyes.

Source: Reem Altwaim

In addition to corrugated paper, this quaint girl also likes to make little whales grow out of cracks in walls, skateboards on playing cards, and tape measures are, in her eyes, little mice that steal cheese.

Source: Reem Altwaim

Lydia Ricci

Ins: @lydia__ricci

Source: Lydia Ricci

American artist Lydia Ricci turns everyday life's "paper waste" into cute and retro micro sculptures.

She often uploads small animations on Instagram, making these small handheld objects look even more adorable when moving.

Source: Lydia Ricci

Her works are not delicate, even a little rough. Her mother's relics, out-of-date magazines, dusty boxes in the attic ...... are age-old ingredients that make her work not need to be old, but naturally tend to be a sentiment, a slow, old way of life. Moreover, Ricci herself is not a fan of deliberate and elaborate sculpture.

Ricci refers to the production of paper sculptures as a unique way to cope with the stress of life, and these works are a small tribute to the passing years.

Source: Lydia Ricci

Human beings evolved to recognise and derive great pleasure from the colours around us. Perhaps this is why colourful artworks stay in our hearts and minds many months after we first lay eyes on them. So, which artists are currently producing some of the brightest, boldest pieces out there? What can we learn from their work?

In this post, we'll be exploring colourful artworks from artists around the world. These sculptures range from ceramic to optic that takes your breath away; we'll cover all of it and more. 

Mie Takahashi

Gradient Ceramic Sculpture

Source: Mie Takahashi

Ceramic sculptures have always been firm favorites here at SOA Arts. The colours, references, and dazzling designs used in Mie Takahashi's ceramic sculptures remind us of where our love for this kind of art began.

Mie Takahashi was born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1994.

She is a clay pottery and resin sculptor. Her sculptures are inspired by graffiti lines and shapes drawn by the artist.

Most of her works are made by matching complementary colors and gradations of the same color. This combination of colors makes the sculptures very dynamic, while the rough surface adds to the heaviness of the sculptures.

Jon Thomas

Geometric and Architectural Sculpture

Source: Jon Thomas

Jon Thomas is a contemporary artist and sculptor based in Swansea on the South Wales coast. 

Jon Thomas's sculptures combine contemporary materials with repetitive geometric and architectural forms." My recent 'Civilization' series has been heavily influenced by my travels exploring Mayan architecture."

Ugo Rondinone

Stone Colourful Sculptures 

Source: Ugo Rondinone

The colorful sculptures of Ugo Rondinone are sensational. His work uses glass, ceramic, clay, and metal to profound effect. Whether adorning a private collection or a hotel lobby, these pieces are bound to make a lasting impression. 

The playful use of form and abstraction stands out to us in particular. The eye is challenged by a dichotomy of the familiar and the strange. While they're undoubtedly aesthetically pleasing, Rondinone's work refuses to exist as mere eye candy – there's much more on offer here than first meets the eye. 

Gisela Colon

Dynamic Minimalistic, Colourful Art Sculpture

Source: Gisela Colon

Light, colour, and 'impossible' forms are key components of this artists' visual language. Colon's most recent exhibition, The Feminist Divine, featured: 

"dynamic sculptures [that] offer mutable, perceptual experiences through the refraction, reflection, and emission of light. [They were] generated with advanced production methods such as carbon fibre casting meant for aerospace applications."

As you can see from the image above, the results were really quite something. One lesson to be gleaned here is how powerful light can be when designing your sculptures/ collection. The way that light interacts with the edges of your sculptures can challenge and exceed the expectations of your viewers. 

As far as cool colorful artwork goes, Colon is certainly one to watch! 

Michael Staniak

Optical Cool Colourful Artwork Sculpture

Source: Michael Staniak

Speaking of optical colorful artwork, we're huge fans of Michael Staniak's sculptures. Pictured above is a piece from the artist's 2019 exhibition, Newfoundland. This exhibition served as an investigation "into the impacts social and digital media have on painting and image making."

Staniak mainly creates his paintings by hand, using acrylic on the surface of a bronze material to create a unique optical color.

In fact, one has to see these works up close to perceive any texture or depth, and as a result, they are performed like contemporary montage paintings, confounding. His work explores a new aesthetic of painting that has been influenced by digital technologies, including touchpads, smartphones, personal computers and the Internet.

We particularly love the experimentation with materials here. The use of IMG fibre paintings and brilliant texture deserve immense praise. Born in Australia in 1982, Staniak's work is unapologetically experimental and investigative. There are few artists who maintain such high levels of innovation and artistic flair. 

Just as you think you've wrapped your head around his style, he's ready to completely challenge your perceptions. If you're building your own collection or designing a new interior for your business, there's a key lesson to be learned here – the power of texture. 

Using dynamic, textured surfaces for your paintings, sculptures, and other pieces can lead to interiors that stay in the minds of your guests for many years to come. 

Colourful Artworks – Last Word

Looking to revamp your hotel lobby? Got a growing art collection that needs some new pieces? Something else entirely? We're here to help. 

At SOA Arts, we have over a decade's worth of experience in producing, commissioning, and curating sensational art pieces from around the world. Whether you're scratching your head and wondering where to start or know exactly what you're looking for, get in touch today and we'll be happy to help! 

Ins: @ayumishibatart

Paper, one of life's most common items, is ubiquitous daily. Electronic products' popularity has also inadvertently distanced us from paper to some extent.

For these artists, the most common raw materials can also become fine artwork, changing the visual form through their deft hands and the collision of a different spark.

Follow us to learn more about the charm of handcraft and paper.

/Intricate Paper Artwork/

Li Hongbo

Ins: @lihongboart

The works of artist Li Hongbo are incredible, even when you see them in person: they are really made of thousands of pieces of paper, pasted one by one.

Inspired by the traditional Chinese craft of paper gourd, in his work "Stretching Paper Sculpture Series", Li Hongbo's paper sculptures transcend material and medium and can be stretched and restored at will, and the effect is no less stunning.

In his hands, paper no longer seems to be paper but a material with variability and fluidity. In contrast, the paper is mere paper. He chooses to recreate this most common material, to a certain extent, in order to arouse people's sensory touch under the definition of thinking stereotypes, thus evoking a deeper artistic reflection.

He is adept at breaking the confines of space and structure and uses his unique artistic sensitivity and intuition to shape paper sculptures that appear wild and unpredictable but are full of visual language.

Li Hongbo's interpretation of paper is already a masterpiece.

Asya Kozina & Dmitriy Kozin

Ins: @asya_kozina

Russia Asya Kozina & Dmitriy Kozin are a duo of artists involved in cultural research, archiving, and stylistic expression of different histories, traditions, and artistic effects.

At the same time, they are obsessed with the exaggerated wigs of the Baroque period. Through the intersection of historical and temporal dimensions, they create contemporary paper sculptures that reveal a fascinating and ancient Baroque flavor.

Their works are also made entirely of paper, which shows the artists' obsession with paper art.

Dressed in paper sculptures, like a fairy that has advent to earth

Asya Kozina & Dmitriy Kozin try to use paper as a medium to metaphorically represent the modern appropriation of history as an event cleared from the signs of the times, and to awaken the viewer to think about modernity and history.

Ayumi Shibata

Ins: @ayumishibatart

When I first saw the work of Japanese artist Ayumi Shibata, I felt as if I had seen a sculpture and mistakenly entered a mirage.

The word kami means "paper" and "god" in Japanese. In the mind of Japanese artist Ayumi, paper is as sacred as God. In Japan, where the art of paper cutting is highly developed, she still chooses to use the most traditional and simple method, not even sketching, and she gives life to dozens or even hundreds of sheets of paper by directly trimming them in a staggered manner and stacking them together.

Ayumi is dedicated to exploring the relationship between man and nature. In her microcosm, macro and micro seem to be detached from each other but can never be separated from human thinking.

When she puts the cities she creates into books or glass bottles, they are shaped by pure paper as if they were born in the clouds and with breathing. With the light and warm light, they feel like they mistakenly entered a dream.

Especially in the paper tunnels she has outlined, there is a sense of intricacy and mystery.

The media who interviewed her said, "Ayumi's artwork is unlike anything we've ever seen."

She also updates her paper earrings on Instagram, and the "divine" paper is perhaps more meaningful than the beaded tassels.

College dining halls can be many things – places to fill up on affordable food, social hubs, and repositories of bad memories. They’re also often a source of complaints for students (and their parents).

However, some institutions have proven they can create stunning and inviting dining halls that make mealtimes a pleasure. From minimalist spaces to ones full of color and life, these college dining halls have something for everyone.

Here are a few of the best-designed college dining halls in the world:

Ivey Business School, Ontario, Canada

Source: Ivey Business School

In 2013, the University of Western Ontario opened a new building for the thousands of students, faculty, and staff under its Ivey Business School. Apart from its modern and environmentally-conscious features, the three-story facility was praised for its sprawling dining hall, which featured floor-to-ceiling windows and a breathtaking view of the entire campus.

This one-of-a-kind interior design is meant to promote case-method learning, which is an approach that the Ivey Business School focuses on. It was conceptualized by architect Siamak Hariri, who wanted to give students a college dining hall where they could “break bread together” and continue discussing what they had learned in class.

Pomona College, California, USA

Source: Pomona College

A private, liberal arts institution nestled in Claremont, California, Pomona College is home to three college dining halls – Frank, Frary, and Oldenborg. Each comes with its own unique interior design, along with delicious daily menus that students can’t get enough of!

Frary is arguably the most memorable college dining hall, though. It’s the largest, providing students with a rotating menu that includes yummy vegan and vegetarian dishes. The interior design is reminiscent of a Medieval church, which is further magnified by “Prometheus” – a painting by the renowned Jose Clemente Orozco.

St. Paul’s College, Sydney, Australia

Source: St. Paul’s College

Within the University of Sydney is St. Paul’s College, which was founded in 1856, making it the oldest college in Australia. One of the things it’s famous for is its alumni, who are referred to as “Old Paulines” and include the country’s most influential figures, including prime ministers, justices, and pioneering scientists.

The institution is also famous for its college dining hall, whose interior design looks like a European castle, thanks to its gothic windows and timbered vaulted ceilings. On weeknights, students are expected to attend a three-course dinner, while wearing their academic gowns and best formal wear.

Christ Church College, Oxford, England

Source: Christ Church College

Founded in the mid-16th century by King Henry VIII, Christ Church is a joint foundation handled by Christ Church Cathedral and the University of Oxford. It’s home to many architectural wonders, such as its eponymous cathedral, “Tom Tower,” and “Meadow Building.”

The college dining hall is undoubtedly its best feature, though. Referred to as the “Great Dining Hall,” it boasts of Renaissance splendor that inspired the creators of the Harry Potter film franchise. It has seen a ton of historical events unfold, including the parliament assembled by King Charles I during the English Civil War.

West Point, New York USA

Source: Business Insider

Officially known as the “United States Military Academy (USMA),” West Point is famous for training would-be commissioned officers for the country’s army. Founded in 1802, it’s one of the oldest service academies in the entire world and has a phenomenal view of the Hudson River.

While the interior design of the college dining hall features Gothic elements, the entire space appears similar to a military fort, which is exactly what West Point was originally intended to be. It looks fairly austere, although that’s exactly what it’s meant to evoke since mealtimes can last no longer than 20 minutes.

Sewanee: The University of the South, Tennessee, USA

Source: Sewanee - The University of the South

Besides its fantastic liberal arts program, Sewanee: The University of the South is also known for its McClurg Dining Hall, which serves flavorful meals using ingredients mostly sourced from the local community. Fun fact – nearly 1,800 pieces of bacon are consumed weekly within its walls!

The interior design of this college dining hall was conceptualized to cultivate community, promote diversity, and further well-being. Its open floor plan and large tables allow students to easily socialize with each other, while its rustic architecture makes diners feel completely at home. 

University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Source: Churchill College - University of Cambridge

The prestigious University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, making it one of the world’s oldest surviving educational institutions. It’s famous for many things, such as its beautiful architecture, rigorous academic programs, and notable alumni.

The dining hall at Churchill College is also renowned across the globe. It’s the largest in the university and is regarded by students as a social hub where they can enjoy delicious meals alongside intelligent discourse with friends. In contrast to the other buildings on campus, its design is surprisingly modern yet still cozy.

* * * * *

Which interior design did you enjoy best? What other beautiful college dining halls did we miss?  Let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

Image Alt – pantone colour trends 

Looking for hotel interior design ideas? The Pantone colour matching system is adored by designers, creatives, and hotel managers around the world. It provides a phenomenal framework with which to effortlessly mix, match, and play with a staggering variety of colours.

Whether you love the stark excellence of Ultimate Grey, the understated brilliance of Very Peri, or something else entirely, this page is well worth reading. It’s full of our tips for using Pantone colours effectively.

We’ll cover some general rules of thumb to follow as well as some specific suggestions from professional interior designers. Read on to craft the hotel lobby of your dreams!

Pantone Colour of the Year 2022 – Very Peri

Image Alt – Pantone interior design advice

Very Peri is Pantone’s colour of choice for 2022 but is likely to remain relevant in design trends for many years to come. Its rich, understated blue-lilac tones will bring a flash of beauty to any space you design for your guests.

Imagine a duvet, cushion, or restaurant glass that’s tinted with this excellent colour. When implemented correctly into the rest of your design, the results can be magnificent. We explore some specific interior design tips for this colour further down this page.

Pantone Colour Trends

Any hotel interior design ideas you employ should make good use of colours and supporting neutral tones. Keeping your finger on the pulse of the latest colour trends is a great way to keep your interiors up-to-date.  

How to Match Colours – Hotel Interior Design Ideas

These tips are inspired by this fantastic article from Love to Know.

We thought we’d start with some basic tips for using Pantone colours in your hotel’s interior design. With the right know-how, your guests will remember their stay for many years to come.

The Colour Wheel 

Image Alt – Hotel interior design ideas

The colour wheel is a common “secret” used by interior designers everywhere. It can be an absolute Godsend when deciding which Pantone colours to use. There are two main approaches to using the colour wheel:

1. Analogous colour matching.
2. Complementary colour matching.

Follow these steps when using an analogous colour matching approach:

1. Choose the primary colour that you love.
2. Use the colours directly to either side of that colour.

That’s it! You’re practically guaranteed to be using a colour palette that looks incredible in your hotel.

Follow these steps when using a complementary colour matching approach:

1. Choose the primary colour that you love.
2. Use the colour directly opposite that colour.

 With either complementary or analogous colour schemes, your lobby and bedrooms will look incredible. As long as your colours are balanced properly…

The 60-30-10 Rule

Using Pantone colours effectively is all about balancing them with the right ratio of primary to accompanying tones. In general, it’s best to use what’s known as the 60-30-10 rule. This rule dictates that:

• 60% of your scheme should use your primary colour.
• 30% should use your secondary colour.
• 10% should use your accent colour.

Use this ratio when implementing your Pantone shades and you’ll be well on your way to success!

Pantone Interior Design Advice

Check out our specific Pantone interior design advice below!

Lean into Accent Pieces

With certain Pantone colours, it’s best to lean into accent pieces rather than rely on a full feature wall. For example, the interior designer Jared Epps recommends using Pantone’s Illuminating yellow shade for cushions, trinkets, and other accessories rather than for the entire space.

Paint With Different Shades of Very Peri

Using an analogous colour matching approach with Very Peri (Pantone colour of the year 2022) can yield remarkable results. This is especially true of hotels that offer spa treatments and other wellbeing services, for example.

Try it out next time you’re due a revamp!

Source Artwork and Pieces That Fit Like a Glove

Once you’ve chosen your preferred colour scheme, it’s time to source art and other pieces that will fit your design perfectly. A good art supplier will advise you on what might work best and make it effortless to find everything you need.

Find Appropriate Accessories 

Interior design correspondent for Better Homes and Gardens, Jessica Bennet, recommends a slew of appropriate accessories for Very Peri in her recent article. Take the glasses pictured above, for example. Imagine your hotel’s restaurant decked out with incredible accessories like these?

The security of working with Pantone colours is impossible to deny. Once you’ve settled on your colour scheme, the world truly is your oyster when it comes to the extra pieces you use in your hotel.

Your guests will make their minds up about your establishment within the first few moments of being there; making sure everything looks incredible is excellent insurance against discerning visitors.  

Rely on SOA Arts  

We’re an art factory and supplier with over a decade’s experience. Whether you have a mountain of specific demands or are scratching your head and wondering where to start, we can help you get where you need to be.

Get in touch today! 

Copper engraving originated in Europe and is a type of printmaking known as "etching", made on a metal plate with an etching solution or directly with a needle or knife. Because the more commonly used metal plate is the copper plate, so named Copperplate Etching.

Copperplate etchings are elegant and dignified with a strong three-dimensional sense and realistic image and have been considered a valuable art paintings in the international industry. The unique painting method gives it an exceptional taste, which is its artistic expression language, while the bold lines and delicate and rich black and white changes give it a sense of abstraction so that it reaches resonance with the soul of the artist and the audience. This is why the masters of all generations have been enthusiastic about the creation of copperplate. From Monet of French Impressionism to Picasso of modern times, all of them have left stunning copperplate works.

Therefore, from the humanistic point of view, the creation and collection of copper prints are also of great social and historical significance.

In addition, copper prints on home decor belong to high-end products that can show the owner is different from the usual charm of personality and niche aesthetic good things, be a home decoration or art collection, are a perfect choice!

The Origin of Copperplate Etching in Europe

The art of copperplate can be traced back to the early 15th century in Europe, when goldsmiths, to preserve the decorative patterns on armor, sword hilts or family crests, rubbed black ink into the intaglio patterns and transferred them to parchment, which can be said to be the prototype of copperplate.

In the pre-Renaissance, when Italy and Germany's handicraft industry was quite developed, goldsmiths initially used the engraving knife directly on the metal utensils engraved decorative patterns; these metal objects for engraving are mostly copper products, so traditionally called this engraving process for "copper engraving".

Later, on the basis of copper engraving, intaglio production evolved and was used in the printing business, that is, into the intaglio plate-making process, with the development of intaglio printing and the emergence of copperplate art.

All the masters of the past generations have been enthusiastic in the creation of copperplate. From Dürer in Germany, Rembrandt in the Netherlands, Goya in Spain, Manet, Monet, Sisley and Degas in the French Impressionists to Picasso and Matisse in modern times, all masters have left outstanding copperplate works.

The Principle and Production of Copperplate Etching

Copper plate etching is a printmaking made on a metal plate with an etching solution or directly engraving with a needle or knife. It belongs to intaglio because the more commonly used metal plate is a copper plate called Copperplate Etching.

Production methods are flying dust, soft wax, dry engraving, corrosion, etc., and corrosion methods are more common.

Corrosion Methods

A method of plate making for copper layout. It is coated with corrosion protection wax or anticorrosive agent (generally made of yellow wax, rosin, asphalt, and other acid-resistant materials) to form a layer of anticorrosive film, painted on the layout with an engraving needle, and then placed in the corrosion solution (commonly used nitric acid solution). Where the corrosion-resistant film is scraped by the needle, that is, corrosion, the formation of concave lines, the longer the corrosion time, the deeper the concave line. After removing the anti-corrosion film, the plate is formed.

Appreciation Method of Copperplate Etching

The appreciation of copperplate painting can be recognized from the following aspects.

I. The aesthetic orientation of the subject style.
II. The form of the subject's shape and its combination.
III. The overall tone and local tone treatment, the harmony of color selection with the theme and the subject.
IV. The flexible use of plate-making techniques and skills (the degree of mastery of copperplate techniques)
V. The degree of specialization of printing technology, etc.

Hand-painted Copperplate Etching

Unlike the previous copper engraving, hand-painted copper engraving does not need to be printed on paper. It is out of the film sheet, and then do etching engraving. It is in copper painting topography engraving first, hand etching, ink into copper, intaglio etching, and embedded acrylic paint. Copperplate color painting is a traditional craft with a knife and pen to burin and color on copper plate. It integrates Chinese style painting, oil painting, decorative painting, and other expressions with a clear sense of layers and a magical three-dimensional sense. The material of the painting is generally based on a brass plate, which is called "Copper Plate" before engraving and a "copper plate" after engraving. In the creation, the author first draws a draft, transfers it to the brass plate, and then engraves and paints it.

The "engraving" is done with a carving knife, and the "painting" is done with a sound and powerful wolf-hair brush. The coloring technique is sometimes chosen from the oil painting method of piling up pigments, the Chinese painting method of splashing colors and accumulating water, the watercolor technique of haloing, etc. Different techniques are used for different images. Because the reflection of the copper plate will take away the color, so each color of the painting is vibrant. It needs many times of color rendering, need to repeatedly use the knife and brush to engrave and paint, and also make full use of the effect of concave and convex after the copper plate is etched so that it presents different depths and bright textures with the gorgeous depiction, the picture will bloom with golden and brilliant special effects.

There is also the black-and-white effect copperplate, with the obvious effect of concave and convex, and copperplate shows a majestic momentum, which boasts modern style, can be from photographs, the theme of animals, landscapes, people, etc...

Customized Copperplate Etching Service

Copperplate engraving is out of the film, then do corrosion engraving, after which hand polishing and coloring through various technology engraved with a three-dimensional effect of the work.

【Product】Copperplate, aluminum plate three-dimensional engraving can be widely used in hotels, restaurants, museums, real estate, commercial, and home decoration.
【Advantages】Stain and corrosion resistance, never deformation, professional three-dimensional metal engraving machine, can meet 100% of the design effect, vacuum plating regardless of outdoor or indoor, never fade.
【Service】According to the needs or photos, achieve the customer's requirements.