this floating artist studio in berlin has been built by hand to be closer to nature

In 2005, the Canadian architect Omer Arbel and his business partner Randy Bishop founded Bocci, a contemporary design and manufacturing company. Initially operating from a red barn in White Rock, British Columbia, the company has since relocated to Vancouver and gained recognition for its distinctive ethereal lighting products and large-scale installations. Bocci has recently expanded its operations with the opening of a new exhibition space and satellite fabrication laboratory in Berlin, housed within a 19th-century building that formerly served as a courthouse. The decision to establish Bocci 79, as the Berlin location is known, was driven by the unique characteristics of the building. Arbel noted that the 22,000-square-foot derelict courthouse, constructed in 1896 in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district, presented an exceptional opportunity. The partners were particularly drawn to its sprawling space and historical architecture. The programming for Bocci 79 is multifaceted, designed to leverage the building's expansive layout. It incorporates several key components: high-craft porcelain and glass ateliers, where specialized production and artistic endeavors will take place; a laboratory dedicated to testing and developing large-scale installation concepts, similar to the 280-pendant chandelier showcased by Bocci at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 2013; and an exhibition space. This exhibition area is conceived as a living archive, intended to present the full spectrum and contextual background of the company’s work. Within Bocci 79, visitors can explore a comprehensive display of Arbel's creations from the past decade. This includes a variety of prototypes, experimental pieces, and works currently in progress, alongside Bocci’s complete range of finished products. The curatorial approach for the exhibition is designed to highlight individual concepts: each room is dedicated to a single piece or object, presented in an uncompromising manner to emphasize its unique characteristics. Arbel's vision is that while each room offers a focused experience, the collective journey through all the spaces will convey a broader philosophical approach, reflecting the building's own intricate design. The building itself, with its strikingly detailed architecture, including a six-story atrium and a central staircase, provides a powerful and inspiring backdrop for these design experiments. Bocci 79 aims to be more than just a showroom; it functions as a dynamic hub for design exploration, manufacturing, and public engagement. By showcasing a decade of design evolution and providing a space for continued experimentation, the Berlin location reinforces Bocci’s commitment to pushing boundaries in contemporary design. The space is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Bocci's innovative work. #Bocci #OmerArbel #BerlinDesign #ContemporaryLighting #DesignExhibition #ArchitecturalSpace #ArtInstallation #ProductDesign #Craftsmanship

The article explores the profound influence of an artist's working environment on their creative process, highlighting various approaches to studio spaces and their implications. It delves into how different settings, from home-based studios to community art spaces and private backyard structures, shape an artist's discipline, interaction, and artistic output. The piece emphasizes that while the immediate tools and techniques are crucial, the physical and social context of creation is equally vital. Kristin Gibson, a full-time artist and mother of two, exemplifies the challenges and strategies of working from home. For a decade, she utilized her dining room table in Carolina Beach as her primary studio, meticulously setting up a workspace each day. Gibson maintained strict hours, treating her art career like an office job to combat household distractions. Her disciplined approach allowed her to produce still-life acrylic paintings, some featuring the very chairs from her dining room. A significant shift occurred for Gibson after attending the No Boundaries International Art Colony, which inspired her to lease a studio space at Artful Living Group. This move introduced a social dimension to her work, allowing her to interact with shoppers and other artists, though she maintained familiar elements from her home setup to ensure a comfortable transition. Community art spaces, such as The ArtWorks, ACME Art Studios, Wabi Sabi Warehouse, and The Art Factory in Wilmington, are presented as environments that foster peer interaction. Erika Lawrence, a Hungary-born painter and sculptor, designed her studio at The ArtWorks to resemble a palace, providing both isolation and the opportunity for engagement. She stresses that while solitude is often necessary for deep creative work, continuous isolation can be detrimental to an artist's mental well-being and connection to the broader artistic community. Gregory Hall, who works with metal and clay, found a community studio essential due to the messy and hazardous nature of his craft. For him, working away from home creates a mental separation between his personal and professional life and offers a source of inspiration through observation of fellow artists. Pam Toll, a co-founder of ACME Art Studios, echoes the sentiment of needing a dedicated space separate from home life, especially when raising a family. She established her studio 22 years ago, treating it as a professional workplace to prioritize her art. Toll, known for her process-oriented painting style, acknowledges the potential for distractions in a community setting but highlights the importance of assertiveness and mutual respect among artists. She suggests that such an environment might not suit everyone, as it requires the ability to filter out external stimuli. Conversely, artists like Francisca Dekker prefer the privacy and tranquility of backyard studios. Dekker's Red Tulip Studio, a mere 20 steps from her home, provides sufficient mental distance from household duties. Her two-story studio, designed with an open floor plan and abundant natural light, offers a spacious and private sanctuary where she can experiment and reflect without interruption. This isolation allows her to engage in deep creative thought and draw inspiration from her garden, although she humorously admits that gardening itself can become a distraction. The article concludes by emphasizing that the ideal working environment is deeply personal and significantly impacts an artist's ability to create and thrive. #ArtistStudio #CreativeProcess #WorkingEnvironment #CommunityArtSpaces #HomeStudio #ArtisticDiscipline #WilmingtonArtists #ArtistInteractions

Michelle Andre, a talented artist specializing in kiln-formed art glass, has recently opened her own studio, StudioQ, in Bay View. Prior to this, Andre operated her creative endeavors from her basement. The new studio provides her with ample space, enabling her to utilize three kilns and a sandblasting booth, signifying a significant step forward in her artistic journey. Despite the initial intimidation of covering rent, Andre views the studio as a crucial move to enhance her exposure and elevate her craft. Andre's artistic approach distinguishes her from traditional glass blowers. Instead of heating glass to a liquid state, she employs a molding and kiln-forming process. This technique involves warming the glass, allowing gravity to 'slump' it into desired forms. Her pieces are often infused with pigments and metals, which are then integrated into molds to create visually stunning and largely functional designs. Her portfolio includes a diverse range of items such as bowls, plates, and jewelry, alongside larger industrial works like tiles, sinks, and wall sconces. While she does produce some purely aesthetic pieces, functionality underpins approximately 90 percent of her creations. Andre notes that the local art scene in Milwaukee does not feature many artists who specialize in molded glass, which works to her advantage. She finds that the unique and intriguing nature of kiln-formed glass, coupled with people's natural affinity for glass's inherent shininess and fluidity, garners significant interest. Her expertise in this niche was honed through experiences in architectural art glass shops in Seattle and Madison before she returned to Milwaukee. Currently, Andre's art is available for purchase at her StudioQ, located at 2469 S. Howell Ave., though visits are by appointment only. She also plans to make her creations accessible through her website. In addition to direct sales, Andre undertakes commission pieces and expresses aspirations to participate in future Gallery Nights, broadening her engagement with the local art community. She is also in the process of discussions with retailers to stock her work. Remarkably, Andre maintains a pricing strategy that aims for affordability, considering the intricate process and material costs involved. The creation of her art utilizes 'compatible glasses,' which are not inexpensive. The production time for a single piece can extend to at least two days, factoring in two separate firing sessions in the kiln. Despite these factors, her highest-priced works are approximately $90, with smaller items being considerably less. She acknowledges that her current pricing might be overly modest but is driven by her goal of increasing awareness and accessibility to her art. An example of her pricing success was at a Mount Mary starving artists sale, where her $25 jewelry pieces were highly sought after. Andre anticipates that her pragmatic approach to pricing may need to adjust as her business grows and gains more recognition. #ArtGlass #KilnFormedGlass #StudioQ #MichelleAndre #BayViewArtists #FunctionalArt #GlassArtMilwaukee #ArtisanJewelry #HomeDecor

Nichole Blackburn Manthe, a fine artist and muralist, discusses her career and the intricate process behind her large-scale murals. She highlights that the pre-planning phase for each mural, including research, design, custom color palette selection, and fine-tuning, takes three times longer than the actual painting process. This extensive preparation ensures the creation of impactful artwork that tells a story and evokes emotion. Manthe, who has been drawing and painting throughout her life, established Celadon Studio Fine Art, a boutique studio specializing in large-scale murals, custom canvas art, and hand-painted children's spaces. Her work as a muralist requires her to constantly adapt to new designs and physically demanding tasks, such as painting on scaffolding and contending with outdoor elements, all while maintaining high standards of creativity and quality. With over 25 years of experience, she has refined her techniques in this specialized field. Beyond her commercial work, Manthe founded Big Sky Countries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving back to the community through art. For over two decades, this initiative has created murals for various children's facilities, including elementary schools, special-needs facilities, orphanages, hospitals, and teen shelters. A key aspect of Big Sky Countries is the collaborative approach, where children and staff at each venue participate in painting the murals. This collaboration aims to empower, inspire, and educate individuals through art, particularly in schools lacking art programs. Manthe emphasizes the importance of art in providing a voice and identity, especially for withdrawn or anti-social children with whom she feels a strong connection through shared artistic expression. Manthe also shares insights into her personal life, recommending local attractions in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Her recommendations include activities that blend her passion for scuba diving and spearfishing in the kelp forests off Palos Verdes, especially during lobster season, either from chartered boats or through night free diving. She also suggests scenic beach walks through Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beaches, complete with stops for food and photos. Evening adventures include bonfires at Dockweiler Beach. For leisurely Sundays, she recommends renting beach cruisers to explore the Strand, people-watching, and identifying dream homes. Having recently learned to sail, she also enjoys taking friends out from the Redondo Beach Marina. For dining and social experiences, Manthe suggests classic spots like Tony's at the Pier for happy hour, live reggae at The Lighthouse on Sundays, burgers from The Standing Room, dinner at PostMB, sunset concerts at Nelsons, and the omakase menu at Sushi Chitose. Finally, Manthe expresses gratitude to her high school art teacher, Mr. Kooper, who significantly influenced her career path. Mr. Kooper provided her with a space to create art during high school and encouraged her to build a portfolio, which ultimately led to a scholarship at Otis Art Center in Los Angeles. She credits him with changing her life, underscoring the transformative power of art and mentorship, echoing Malala Yousafzai's sentiment about the impact of a single teacher. #FineArtist #Muralist #CeladonStudio #BigSkyCountries #CommunityArt #ArtEducation #SouthBayLA #CreativeProcess #Nonprofit

The Enclaves project introduces an innovative concept for remote work, proposing floating office pods designed to exist on water bodies such as the Vistula River with Wawel Castle as a backdrop. Developed by designer Agnieszka Białek, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, Poland, this concept emerged from observations during pandemic-induced remote work trends and the desire for alternative work environments that minimize land footprint. The design envisions individual, buoyant workspaces that offer privacy and unique scenic views, fostering a focused and productive atmosphere away from traditional office or home settings. The genesis of Enclaves stems from Białek's personal experience of observing the Vistula River during the pandemic, leading to the idea of co-working spaces that float directly on the water. Access to these pods would be via kayak, a deliberate choice to ensure minimal disturbance and a serene journey to the workspace. These pods are envisioned to be available for rent, either by the hour, providing flexibility for various needs, such as hosting meetings, changing work scenery, or finding a deep concentration zone. The pods are designed for round-the-clock use, accommodating different work schedules and preferences. Architecturally, the Enclaves feature soft, curved edges and a contemporary aesthetic, creating a visual contrast with their natural surroundings while still harmonizing with the aquatic environment. A significant aspect of the design is its environmental consciousness; by floating on the river, the pods substantially reduce utility requirements and eliminate soil degradation, aligning with sustainable design principles. The visual inspiration for the pods comes from natural phenomena, specifically the geometric shapes formed by foam on water, which led to their bubble-like appearance. Functionally, the pods are modular and interconnected, anchored to the riverbed, reminiscent of lily pads. This modularity allows for potential expansion and customization based on demand. A key innovation in their construction is the proposal for 3D printing the pods within days, utilizing waterproof and recycled or recyclable materials. This approach not only speeds up the construction process but also further minimizes their ecological impact. Inside, the Enclaves are equipped with built-in furnishings, offering versatile layouts that can adapt to various work styles and personal preferences. Białek emphasizes the long-term impact of the pandemic on architectural design, noting the permanence of remote work for many companies. This shift has created a desire among employees for alternative work locations outside the home, addressing the 'fatigue with the home space.' The Enclaves concept directly responds to this evolving need, providing a comfortable and inspiring setting for online meetings, focused work, or relaxation, particularly in a world that increasingly values reduced physical contact and flexible environments. The project highlights a forward-thinking approach to urban development and workspace design, integrating nature, technology, and sustainability. #FloatingArchitecture #OfficePod #RemoteWork #FlexibleLifestyle #SustainableDesign #3DPrinting #ModularDesign #WorkplaceInnovation #WaterfrontOffice