Tekla Evelina Severin Drops Color-Blocking “Colour Vibes” at FORMEX

Artist and architect Inés Esnal has unveiled her Prism installation, transforming the lobby of a new residential building in New York City. The artwork utilizes colorful elastic ropes to create intricate triangular formations that serve to filter light, producing a dynamic interplay of vivid colors and optical illusions. This installation provides a stark and compelling contrast to the lobby's existing concrete walls, injecting an element of artistic vibrancy into the otherwise stark architectural setting. The Prism installation is characterized by its use of stretched elastic ropes, meticulously arranged to form geometric patterns. These ropes, varying in color, intersect and overlap, creating a complex web that interacts with the ambient light. As light passes through these colored strands, it is fractured and dispersed, casting a spectrum of hues across the lobby space. This optical phenomenon changes throughout the day, depending on the angle and intensity of natural light, offering a constantly evolving visual experience for residents and visitors. The design intention behind Prism is to introduce an element of surprise and visual engagement within a functional architectural space. By contrasting the inherent rigidity and monochromatic nature of concrete with the fluidity and vibrant palette of the elastic ropes, Esnal challenges conventional perceptions of lobby design. The installation effectively redefines the entrance area, transforming it from a transitional zone into an immersive artistic environment. Esnal's work often explores the relationship between art, architecture, and human perception. In Prism, she employs principles of geometry and optics to manipulate space and light, thereby creating an illusory depth and movement within a static structure. The triangular shapes formed by the ropes evoke the concept of prisms, which are known for their ability to refract light into its constituent colors. This not only imbues the space with aesthetic appeal but also invites viewers to contemplate the scientific and artistic principles at play. The installation aims to enhance the sensory experience of the building's occupants, offering a momentary escape from the urban environment. The selection of elastic ropes as the primary material allows for flexibility in form and an ethereal quality that belies the material's strength. This choice also contributes to the lightweight and seemingly gravity-defying appearance of the artwork, further emphasizing its illusory nature. The vibrant colors chosen are intended to evoke a sense of energy and warmth, counteracting the potentially cold aesthetic of modern concrete architecture. The overall effect is one of harmony between the artistic intervention and the architectural context, demonstrating how art can profoundly alter and enrich built environments. #ArchitecturalInstallation #PublicArt #LobbyDesign #InesEsnal #OpticalIllusions #ElasticRopeArt #NYCArchitecture #ColorTheory #GeometricArt

Color Atelier has introduced a new limewash collection in collaboration with AD100 designer Sarah Sherman Samuel. This collection features seven distinct shades of limewash paint, known for their rich matte finish and unique depth of texture. The partnership emphasizes environmentally friendly, artisanally crafted, and luxuriously opaque mineral-based paints, which are produced in small batches at Color Atelier's California facility to ensure high quality and meticulous attention to detail. The Sarah Sherman Samuel for Color Atelier collection includes a diverse palette designed to enhance any space. The seven shades are White Sands, a warm ivory for an airy feel; Buttercup Yellow, a soft and inviting creamy yellow; Sweet Berry, a deep, rich berry hue for a sophisticated ambiance; Desert Red, with earthy orange-brown tones reminiscent of brick and clay; Olive You, a grounding olive green; Summer Sky, a cool blue with a hint of lavender; and Warm Night, a warm black with subtle brown undertones. This range offers both muted options and natural tones, ensuring versatility for various design aesthetics. Limewash paint is currently a popular choice in interior design due to its distinctive textural qualities that cannot be replicated by other finishes. The application process allows for subtle variations, creating a textured surface that can appear either semi-opaque or fully solid depending on the layering technique. Each application is unique, contributing to the paint's artisanal appeal. Beyond its aesthetic benefits, limewash paint boasts significant sustainability advantages. With a history spanning over two millennia, limewash paint is inherently natural and eco-friendly. It is composed simply of limestone dust, water, and pigment, containing no harsh chemicals. This makes it an ideal choice for health-conscious consumers and families with children, as it promotes a healthier indoor environment. The paint aligns with a philosophical approach to design, where the lifecycle and environmental impact of products are carefully considered, offering a beautiful and non-toxic alternative to conventional wall coverings. Color Atelier, founded by Burcu K. and Olivier Garnier, is committed to quality and sustainability, values that resonate with Sarah Sherman Samuel's design philosophy. Samuel, an AD 100 designer, is recognized for her unique approach to interiors, product design, and styling. Her platform, The SSS Edit, serves as a comprehensive design reference, showcasing client projects, decor selections, fashion insights, and travel guides. The collaboration reflects a shared dedication to artistry and mindful design practices, bringing together Color Atelier’s expertise in mineral paints with Samuel’s discerning eye for aesthetics. This collection aims to bring the sophisticated and sustainable qualities of limewash to a broader audience, allowing individuals to create inviting and texturally rich environments while adhering to eco-conscious principles. The modern, reserved, and functional nature of the colors ensures that the inherent texture of the limewash remains the focal point, elevating the overall design of any room. #LimewashPaint #InteriorDesign #SarahShermanSamuel #ColorAtelier #SustainableDesign #HomeDecor #MineralPaint #TexturalWalls #EcoFriendly

The design industry has seen a continuous upward trend in biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature into built environments. 3form, an award-winning materials innovator, introduces a novel approach to this movement with its new Ivory Flora Collection. This collection deviates from the conventional green and brown palettes typically associated with biophilia, instead presenting an all-white, neutral range of botanical patterns. The focus of the Ivory Flora Collection is to celebrate the inherent textures, intricate details, and varied scales of natural materials, offering a fresh perspective on how organic elements can influence a space, from fostering calmness to creating dramatic visual interest. Ryan Smith, 3form's Chief Creative Officer, emphasizes that the collection shifts the understanding of biophilia from merely a color additive to an appreciation of the tactile and visual qualities that organics provide. This results in surfaces that draw the viewer in with a stunning display of materiality. The collection features three distinct scaled patterns, each designed to evoke a different mood and suit various applications. Star Flower, the smallest pattern, is characterized by delicate and whimsical flora, making it suitable for healthcare and wellness settings where subtle design and intricate details are desired. Mountain Fern offers a fluid design with an elegant, overlapping pattern that appears boundless, creating a sense of continuous flow. The largest pattern in the collection, Anahaw Palm, evokes the image of fronds on a white sandy beach, providing a strong sense of neutrality and deep visual texture. This pattern is designed to add a luxurious feel to any space. To achieve these unique designs, 3form's designers meticulously pressed dried botanicals into the company's flagship Varia product. Extensive testing was conducted to observe how these flora interact with natural light, revealing a dynamic interplay between crisp cleanliness and warmth. This dichotomy enhances the depth and texture, which are highly sought after in biophilic design and broader interior aesthetics. The Ivory Flora Collection, available in Varia material platform, comes in panel sizes of 48″ x 96″ and 48″ x 120″, with gauges ranging from ¼” to 1″. The lead time for these panels is four weeks. The collection offers versatility, allowing designers to either integrate 3form’s existing color system to customize the Ivory Flora patterns or use them as a modern neutral statement. The core appeal lies in how these durable design materials encapsulate the intricate details of nature, promising longevity and aesthetic value. Furthermore, the Varia material platform, used for the Ivory Flora Collection, boasts several environmental certifications, including Optimized EPD (SCS), Greenguard Gold (UL), Type III EPD (SCS), and a Red List Free Declare Label (ILFI). These certifications are a testament to 3form’s comprehensive sustainability program, Align, which was launched in March 2020. Align reflects the company's commitment to enabling architects, designers, and consumers to make informed and responsible choices regarding their purchases and construction practices. The Ivory Flora Collection aligns with this commitment, promoting both aesthetic innovation and environmental stewardship. #BiophilicDesign #IvoryFloraCollection #3form #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalMaterials #SustainableDesign #CommercialInteriors #NaturalElements #DesignInnovation

Kelly Wearstler, a renowned designer recognized for her bold, colorful, yet breezy designs, has collaborated with Farrow & Ball to launch a new collection of eight paints, named the California Collection. This collaboration marks Farrow & Ball's first partnership with an outside designer in its 75-year history. The collection is inspired by the natural beauty and architecture of California, aiming to bring the Golden State's sunny energy into living spaces, particularly for those in colder climates. Wearstler's approach to selecting colors for this collection was deeply rooted in the California landscape. She aimed to evoke the natural beauty of the state, bringing the incredible hues found in the environment into the home. The colors are named and inspired by elements of her daily life in California: Citrona reflects the yellow of lemon trees; Palm is inspired by the palm trees in Los Angeles; Hazy, a blue-gray, draws from Malibu’s morning light; Faded Terracotta references Southern California rooftops or sun-drenched pots; Tar is dark like the freeways; and Salt mirrors the misty, salty air at the beach. Developing paint colors presented unique challenges compared to her previous collaborations on carpets, wallpapers, and fabrics. Wearstler noted the difficulty in narrowing down a vast array of colors into a cohesive collection. The process involved a trial-and-error approach to ensure the chosen hues felt refreshed and relaxed while working together harmoniously and standing effectively on their own. The partnership with Farrow & Ball felt natural due to their shared love for color and understanding of its impact on creating dynamic spaces. Wearstler has a long-standing practice of using paint to establish mood and feel in her interior design projects, having utilized Farrow & Ball paints throughout her career. When advising clients on incorporating color, Wearstler suggests starting with a beloved hue already present in their home, perhaps from a vintage chair or artwork, and building a color scheme around it. Another technique is to use a bolder color on wall trim or the ceiling to make a statement without overwhelming the room. She emphasizes the importance of experimenting and taking risks, as color can transform a space's feeling or mood through various elements like artwork, textiles, wall coverings, or objects, allowing for personal expression. A common mistake clients make is not considering natural light, which significantly impacts how a color appears. Additionally, she advises thinking about how a space interacts with bordering areas to ensure seamless transitions between colors. Wearstler highlights black and white as underrated tones that can add depth and drama to a space through neutrals. Her personal style is described as free-spirited, evolving, and inspired, adapting to each project's client and architecture. She considers herself akin to a vintage Mario Botta Quarta chair from the 1980s, embodying an old spirit with daring energy. Wearstler states she loves all colors equally and believes both form and function are essential in design. #KellyWearstler #FarrowAndBall #CaliforniaCollection #PaintDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ColorPalette #DesignCollaboration #CaliforniaInspired

The article outlines eight kitchen trends that designers anticipate will be popular in 2025, emphasizing personalization, aesthetic appeal, and functionality. Kitchens are increasingly seen as central gathering spaces, leading to a blend of innovative and timeless design elements. Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, highlights a focus on warmth, texture, and color palettes that reflect individual style, combining modern materials with classic touches to create streamlined and peaceful environments. One significant trend is layered lighting, moving beyond standard pendants to integrated LED strips within cabinetry for both task and ambient lighting. Designers like Gabrielle Bove of Opaline Interiors Studio are opting for sconces and ceiling-mounted fixtures that enhance the design without being obtrusive. Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio notes a shift towards smaller recessed cans, with integrated LED lighting becoming common in drawers. Another trend is the increased use of striking natural materials. While marble remains popular for countertops, natural quartzite is favored for its durability. Large format porcelain slabs, terrazzo tiles, and patterned wood are gaining traction for flooring. Paula Daher of Dahler Interior Design points out the growing preference for brushed or leathered stone finishes, which offer a softer, more physically durable, and casually elegant aesthetic, including full-height stone splashes with integrated shelves. Moody colors are replacing the long-standing all-white kitchen aesthetic. VERANDA's 2025 Color of the Year, cobalt blue, exemplifies this movement towards lush, opulent tones. Kelly predicts a rise in 'color-drenching' with saturated hues like deep forest, terracotta, and inky blues, complemented by woods such as walnut and oak for a luxurious feel. Quinn mentions jewel tones in high-gloss lacquer, while Caren Rideau of Kitchen Design Group notes dusty blush, deep navy, and muted greens for a dramatic yet subtle look. Eat-in spaces are also seeing a resurgence, with a preference for actual tables and comfortable seating over just islands. Built-in banquettes, especially with washable materials, are popular for their comfort and practicality for families. Induction cooking continues to grow in popularity in the U.S., with more effective downdraft systems and plaster hoods becoming common. Combination gas and induction models are also available for those seeking flexible options. Cabinetry with unique design details is another key trend. Bove highlights wood cabinetry featuring reeded doors, shiplap, nickel gap panels, and micro-shaker designs for personalization. There is also a move away from white cabinets towards warm, lightly stained wood, which designers say creates an easy elegance when paired with natural stone and textured backsplash materials. Open shelving is gaining prominence as homeowners eliminate upper wall cabinets, especially in line with traditional European influences. Daher and Rideau note that this trend creates open wall space for decorative sconces or tiles, making the kitchen feel more like a family gathering and relaxing area. Finally, additional storage options are crucial. Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths emphasizes thoughtful space utilization, such as butler's pantries for small appliances to maintain a streamlined main kitchen. Quinn points out that sculleries or working pantries are becoming necessities, freeing the main kitchen from clutter. Customized open storage for displaying collections, like pot racks and bookshelves, is also being requested to showcase individual personality. Outdoor kitchens remain strong, with requests for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions and weather-resistant features like built-in grills, pizza ovens, and beverage centers, driven by a desire for shared experiences. #KitchenTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #KitchenRenovation #DesignTrends #KitchenCabinetry #LightingDesign #NaturalMaterials #ColorTrends

The article discusses the resurgence of teal in interior design, highlighting its shift from a controversial hue to a trending color for 2025 and 2026. Experts emphasize that recent design trends prioritize personality and joyful decorating over strict neutrality, leading to a greater acceptance and demand for bolder, deeper tones like oxblood, martini olive green, plum, and teal. While teal has historically been polarizing, its timelessness depends significantly on the specific tones used. Past associations with bright, saturated teals from the 1990s and 2010s contributed to its outdated perception. However, contemporary approaches to teal lean towards deeper, richer shades, drawing inspiration from various cultural contexts, including Indian sarees and architectural ceilings, to infuse sophistication into interiors. Interior designer Brad Ramsey notes a departure from using teal merely as a statement wall or accent pillow. Instead, current trends showcase a more integrated and luxurious application, such as deep teal kitchen cabinetry, velvet teal sofas, or entire rooms enveloped in the color for a dramatic and cocooning effect. This reflects a broader movement towards design that embraces personal expression and creates a sense of coziness and opulence. The article further explores how to effectively incorporate both dark and light variations of teal into interior spaces. Darker teals are recommended for creating intimate, jewel-box-like environments, such as powder rooms, home bar areas, or entertaining spaces, offering a lounge-like and cozy ambiance. These deeper shades pair well with warmer tones like golden yellow, red, tan, antique brass lighting, and warm leather accents to balance their coolness and introduce a glamorous feel. Conversely, lighter teals are presented as a means to brighten a space without introducing excessive warmth. They are often found in coastal or Palm Beach-inspired interiors, encouraging a sense of serenity. While vivid 90s-era light teals are generally avoided, softer variations are suitable for living room furnishings, kitchen backsplashes, and bedroom walls. To achieve a sophisticated look with lighter teals, the article suggests pairing them with creamy whites, lighter wood tones, pale pinks, and slate grays, rather than overly juvenile color combinations. The overarching message is that teal, when applied with careful consideration for texture and tone, can be an incredibly timeless and elegant addition to any interior design scheme. #InteriorDesign #ColorTrends #TealDecor #HomeDecor #DesignInspiration #ColorPsychology #LuxuryInteriors #ModernLiving #DecoratingTips

Pharrell Williams returns to the Perrotin gallery in Paris to curate 'Femmes,' a group exhibition dedicated to exploring diverse interpretations of femininity, with a specific homage to Black women. This follows his 2014 show 'GIRL,' named after his album, which also took place at the same gallery. The new exhibition features artwork from 39 international artists, predominantly Black, representing various genders and generations, with many pieces being newly created for the show. The artists include pioneers like 98-year-old Betye Saar and 89-year-old Esther Mahlangu, as well as emerging talents such as Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu and British-Ghanaian-Vincentian painter Emma Prempeh. Renowned artists like Mickalene Thomas and Prince Gyasi, who shares synesthesia with Williams, are also featured. Emmanuel Perrotin, the French contemporary gallerist, explained that the selection of artists involved extensive brainstorming with Williams's team. The artworks delve into themes such as the body, fashion, motherhood, activism, queerness, and spirituality, aiming to challenge historical stereotypes associated with femininity. Despite the complexities of securing all desired artists due to gallery politics, Perrotin highlighted the strength and diversity of the final group. Williams emphasized the exhibition's focus on Black artists, stating that it stemmed from a desire to amplify the voices and visibility of female artists, particularly Black women, whose experiences he believes involve a unique "gravity." The collaboration between Williams and Perrotin began in 2007 through a mutual friend, Sabina Belli. Perrotin recalled meeting Williams at a pool party in Miami, where they immediately connected over art and a shared interest in design. Their initial work together involved designing a chair, spurred by Perrotin's observation of Williams's sophisticated store designs for Billionaire Boys Club. Williams credited Perrotin with helping him recognize his own artistic worth, even as a musician, citing Perrotin's early belief in his future success with songs like 'Happy' and 'Get Lucky.' Perrotin praised Williams's curatorial approach, noting his open-mindedness and lack of pretension regarding artists' fame or recognition. This freedom from conventional art world pressures allowed for the inclusion of many artists previously unknown to Perrotin's team, thereby broadening the exhibition's scope and vision. Williams described his own journey into art appreciation as acquired, learning from figures like Perrotin, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with and present such talented works. He also reflected on how his role as creative director at Louis Vuitton menswear has profoundly influenced his creative process and overall perspective, viewing it as an "artist's residency." Williams currently considers France his creative headquarters, and Perrotin acknowledged that their long-standing friendship and collaborations have not only changed his view of art but also his perspective on life. The exhibition features a comprehensive list of artists including Nina Chanel Abney, Mequitta Ahuja, Kenia Almaraz Murillo, Malala Andrialavidrazana, Jess Atieno, Seyni Awa Camara, Gaëlle Choisne, Joana Choumali, Theresa Chromati, Kenturah Davis, Alex Gardner, Todd Gray, Prince Gyasi, Leslie Hewitt, Reggie Burrows Hodges, Lauren Kelley, Kapwani Kiwanga, Glenn Ligon, Naomi Lulendo, Esther Mahlangu, Georgina Maxim, Gabriel Moses, Zanele Muholi, Thandiwe Muriu, Zéh Palito, Emma Prempeh, Robert Pruitt, Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe, Betye Saar, Cinga Samson, Tschabalala Self, Kathia St Hilaire, Tavares Strachan, Henry Taylor, Mickalene Thomas, Chiffon Thomas, Eden Tinto Collins, Carrie Mae Weems, and Kennedy Yanko. #PharrellWilliams #PerrotinGallery #FemmesExhibition #BlackWomen #ContemporaryArt #Femininity #ParisExhibition #ArtCurator #EmmanuelPerrotin

Julia Rouzaud, founder of Goodmoods, a Parisian media and style agency, and a mother of three, shares her approach to designing sophisticated and colorful kids' bedrooms. She and her husband, Julien, undertook the renovation of a 19th-century hunting lodge outside Paris in 2017. Rouzaud focused on creating imaginative and graphic spaces for her children, Manon (13), Léon (7), and Jacques (4), without the pressure of a strict deadline, allowing for extensive creativity and brainstorming. Her design philosophy centers on incorporating fresh colors and graphic elements while maintaining an elegant aesthetic. This included personal touches like painting Léon’s gold windows blue and involving Manon in vintage furniture selection, ensuring the decor reflected their personalities. Rouzaud emphasizes four key tips for integrating color effectively and making lasting design choices in children's rooms. Her first recommendation is to invest in high-quality, durable carpeting. She highlights the benefits of wall-to-wall carpeting, particularly for young children, providing warmth and a soft surface that cushions falls. For practicality, she advises choosing wool over synthetic fabrics, explaining that wool is surprisingly easy to clean, often requiring just a damp cloth and regular shampoo for stain removal. Each child's room started with a specific rug sample: dark green for Manon, creamy white for Jacques, and royal blue for Léon, setting the color foundation for each space. Her second tip involves using color-blocking to define different zones within an open-plan bedroom, eliminating the need for physical dividers. In Léon's room, for instance, she painted the ceiling above the bed white, while the play and work area above received a soft blue ceiling. This technique adds visual depth and is an economical and inventive way to utilize color. Similarly, in Jacques’s room, celadon paint on the window trim and built-in cubbies provided a striking contrast to crimson curtains, effectively delineating a specific area within the larger layout. The third principle focuses on geometric shapes, specifically squares and rectangles, to achieve a clean and harmonious look when combining bold colors. In Manon’s bedroom, a combination of emerald, terracotta, and orange is unified through overlapping blocks and stripes, created with high-quality painter’s tape. Rouzaud notes that these structured shapes soften intense color palettes and impart a sense of order, contrasting with the potential chaos of free-form squiggles or circles. This controlled application of color ensures a sophisticated yet playful atmosphere. Finally, Rouzaud advises making a statement with softer tones, treating color pairing as a strategic game. When working with primary shades, she suggests using them sparingly and balancing them with lighter tones to maximize impact. For example, in Léon’s space, vibrant green paint and a linen throw are paired with soothing blue walls and dove gray curtains, creating a refined look. Playful accents, such as crimson and cobalt Charlotte Perriand sconces and a sunny yellow Marc Berthier tubular desk, maintain a youthful energy. This approach extends to neutrals as well, illustrated by the faint blush and saturated orange collision on Manon’s walls. Rouzaud reassures that paint is a forgiving medium, making it easy to experiment and restart if a design doesn't quite work out, encouraging creative freedom in home decoration. #KidsBedrooms #ColorBlocking #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesignTips #ChildrensDecor #ParisianStyle #HighQualityCarpeting #GeometricShapes #ColorPalette #SophisticatedDesign

The article details artist Taryn Simon's groundbreaking artwork, "An Occupation of Loss," which brings together professional mourners from various cultures to perform laments. This unique installation, initially presented in New York in 2016, is now showcased in London. Simon’s work delves into the complex nature of grief, exploring how it is expressed and managed across different traditions and how modern platforms like social media are influencing contemporary mourning. Simon explains that the project originated from her earlier work, "A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters," where she first encountered professional mourners. She recognized that lament, as a form of expression that is neither purely music nor speech, and both spontaneous and scripted, necessitated a live performance medium. This led her to develop an installation that actively features these performers rather than documenting them through photography or text. "An Occupation of Loss" features 21 mourners from around the world, each bringing their unique traditions of lamentation. These performances address a wide spectrum of grief, from personal loss and the spiritual guidance of souls to the profound sorrow stemming from war, displacement, and exile. The laments, many of which have roots in ancient pre-Christian and pre-Islamic traditions, are not presented as mere ethnographic curiosities but as living practices with contemporary relevance. Simon highlights that while the cultural contexts of these traditions vary, the underlying human experience of loss connects them. Simon points out a parallel between these ancient traditions and the modern experience of grief in societies that, like contemporary London, often lack a dominant, organized religion. In such environments, the organization and expression of grief tend to become communal, national, or mediated through platforms like social media. She observes that platforms such as Twitter play a role in shaping and directing public expressions of grief, making them visible and shareable. She emphasizes that both centuries-old laments and contemporary social media posts about grief serve as public demonstrations of emotion. These public displays hold significant authority and power, capable of challenging and influencing the structures that govern populations. Simon also underscores that the performance of laments is not a relic of the past; many of the traditions featured in her work are still actively practiced today, responding to current events. For instance, a Yezidi lament addresses recent mass killings in Sinjar, Iraq, and Ecuadorean laments are featured on national radio. One Chinese mourner in the installation even incorporates modern sound technology, including microphones and synthesizers, illustrating the evolution and adaptability of these ancient practices. The London installation of "An Occupation of Loss" is housed in a subterranean, dodecagonal concrete space in Islington Green. Simon spent four years searching for this specific venue, drawn to its unique acoustic properties where sound travels and bounces in unusual, often disorienting ways. The center of the dodecagon remains empty, allowing viewers to project their own experiences of loss onto the space. The mourners perform within a series of hexagonal architectural interventions, which Simon describes as instrument-like, designed to encourage interaction and create an extreme bleed of sound. This cacophony is intended to reflect the multifaceted and often disorienting ways individuals encounter loss in the contemporary world. Consistent with Simon's meticulous approach to documentation, the installation also includes an element of record-keeping. Visitors receive a booklet detailing the complex logistical challenges of bringing each performer to London, including visa applications, anthropological testimonials, and biometric appointments. This booklet serves as a counterpoint to the ephemeral nature of performance art, ensuring that the exhaustive process and the stories behind the work endure beyond the live exhibition. Despite the transient nature of performance, Simon admits to being "addicted" to it, acknowledging the intensity and eventual disappearance of such projects. #TarynSimon #ArtInstallation #GriefAndMourning #PerformanceArt #CulturalTraditions #SocialMediaImpact #LondonExhibition #ContemporaryArt

The article reviews "Every Wall is a Door," Superblue Miami’s inaugural exhibition, which features large-scale, immersive artworks by teamLab, James Turrell, and Es Devlin. The exhibition builds upon the visionary ideas of new media pioneer Stan VanDerBeek, who in 1966 envisioned "intermedia experience machines" that would help people process the rapid changes brought by technological innovation. VanDerBeek believed in the importance of artistically cultivated experiences to foster a new, shared vocabulary, incorporating concepts from ecology and cybernetics alongside immersive and collective audience participation. teamLab, a Tokyo-based collective of over 400 "ultra-technologists," is presented as a modern-day realization of VanDerBeek's vision. Their interactive digital installations, such as _Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together - Transcending Boundaries, A Whole Year per Hour_ and _Universe of Water Particles, Transcending Boundaries_ (both 2017), are central to the exhibition. These works utilize darkened rooms, large-scale projections, and intricate visual effects to create immersive environments where visitor participation directly influences the artwork. Flower petals and water particles respond to movement, and luminous flora and swirling streams contribute to a sensuous, expansive illusion accompanied by a dreamy soundtrack. The collective's populist approach encourages audience engagement, ranging from taking selfies to observing the evolving scenery, effectively transforming the gallery into a technologically enhanced "black-box" where art is "democratized." In contrast to teamLab’s vibrant sensory overload, James Turrell’s _AKHU_ (2021) offers a more subdued, perceptual experience. This installation is an iteration of his "Ganzfeld" series, featuring a white chamber that uses high-chroma light to manipulate visual perception. The LED-halo color-cycling is so gradual that it creates an illusion of stillness and ambiguity in space and time. Viewers experience shifts in tonality that are products of their own minds, highlighting the role of perceptual agency in art. This piece emphasizes that the lack of conscious control over perception is not a flaw but a core element of the artwork itself. Es Devlin’s _Forest of Us_ (2021), a London-based stage designer's contribution, concludes the exhibition. Visitors first watch a video montage that draws parallels between fractal branching in nature, such as air movement in bronchial passages, and the interconnectedness of humanity with nature. Following this, they enter a recursive, curvilinear mirror-maze with winding corridors, stairwells, and bright white lights that create infinite reflections. The accompanying cinematic sci-fi synths and slow breathing sounds contribute to an ethereal atmosphere. While the thematic link between the video and the maze might become less apparent during the experience, Devlin’s meticulous execution and background in theatrical design are evident in the installation’s visual impact and spatial choreography. Superblue Miami aims to be a next-generation art space dedicated to large-scale, immersive art, seeking to challenge and transform visitors' understanding of themselves and their relationship with the world. The curated route of "Every Wall is a Door" guides guests through a diverse array of experiential poetics, balancing high-tech spectacle with analog immersion. The installations explore themes of illusion, reality, memory, forgetting, and human agency. The ultimate success of Superblue is presented as residing not just in the artworks themselves, but in their capacity to elevate the viewer's aesthetic sensitivity, leading them to recognize the immersive potential of art and everyday life beyond the confines of a traditional museum setting. Steven Pestana, a visual artist and writer, contributed this review, drawing on his background in digital media and art history. #ImmersiveArt #DigitalArt #NewMediaArt #ArtExhibition #InteractiveInstallation #StanVanDerBeek #teamLab #JamesTurrell #EsDevlin #SuperblueMiami

Miley Cyrus's Los Angeles residence, a collaboration between her mother Tish Cyrus and designer Mat Sanders, exemplifies a balanced approach to interior design, merging playful maximalism with sophistication. The dining room, in particular, showcases an expert application of layering techniques to achieve a calming yet characterful aesthetic. The design strategy centers on establishing a subtle foundation before introducing bolder patterns and colors. Cyrus's dining room employs a light blue-gray base, which serves as a neutral canvas that prevents the space from feeling overwhelming despite the incorporation of diverse patterns. This base allows more vibrant elements, such as the rich blue pattern on the dining chairs, to stand out without competing. The open-plan layout of the dining area extends into the entryway, where colorful art books, a prominent houseplant, and a David Bowie print contribute to the overall visual narrative. This thoughtful arrangement demonstrates how to integrate various elements—patterns, prints, and colors—without sacrificing tranquility, effectively challenging the notion that maximalism must be chaotic. Interior designers often highlight the complexity of layering patterns effectively. Charlotte Thomas, an interior designer specializing in elegantly relaxed home interiors, underscores the importance of a simple, plain wall as the optimal foundation for a layered scheme. She notes that while walls might feature textures like grass cloth or paper-backed linen, they should remain a single color and devoid of patterns. This approach aligns with Cyrus's choice of a gray-blue base, which provides a serene backdrop for the more intricate patterns on the furniture. Thomas further advises focusing the layered scheme on a single large-scale pattern, such as a floral, geometric, or painterly abstract design, from which the overall color palette is derived. The mood of the room is significantly influenced by the chosen color palette, with Thomas often opting for muted, earthy, and natural tones like greens, blues, browns, dusky pinks, ochre yellows, and creams, especially in period country properties. The key is to manage the quantity of each pattern and color, ensuring that the room does not become visually overwhelming. Ideally, one focal piece with a stand-out pattern or color should be chosen, with other fabric selections serving to balance the scheme and foster a relaxed atmosphere. Beyond patterns and colors, incorporating varied textures is crucial for a compelling layered design. In a dining room, this can involve chair covers, table linens, and cushions. In broader living spaces, the possibilities expand to include luxurious materials like cashmere, mohair, alpaca, and velvet, which offer softness and warmth. Contrasting these with rougher textures such as organic linen, grasscloth wallpaper, or rustic wood, as well as cool elements like glass, ceramic, or metal, creates a multi-sensory experience that appeals to both sight and touch. Cyrus's dining room, with its careful curation of these elements, serves as a practical example of these design principles, achieving a sophisticated yet playful environment. #MileyCyrus #DiningRoomDesign #PatternLayering #InteriorDesign #MaximalistDesign #CelebrityHomes #HomeDecor #ColorPalette #TexturalMixing