ART FOCUS - sculpture commission

This month we give an overview of the process - from first sketch to final installation - behind a commission with LA-based sculptor Brad Howe.

Behind the Screen

From imaging to installation: what does our process entail?

Selection

Beginning with a series of conversations to tease out our client's vision and personal style, we are able to offer connections to artists and artworks precisely tailored to their tastes. When a long-term client of ours fell in love with Brad Howe's abstract sculpture work, we arranged a studio visit to explore his work in person.

With a career that began in Brazil, Howe’s vivid sculptural practice captures a varied aesthetic that connects local and international communities and visual realms. The bright contours of his dynamic style suited the exciting collection we have been curating with our client. To our delight, Howe graciously agreed to a commission in the style of a screen customized for a poolside exterior.

The coherence with our client's collection made it the perfect addition to her lush private garden.

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Rendering and Engineering

One of our favorite visualization tools, photographic renderings offer an accurate representation of how artworks will appear in situ, allowing clients and designers to envision how works will complement the design and landscaping. Permitting us to make minor adjustments and tweaks, renderings help determine the perfect placement and plan installation accordingly.

Throughout this process, we collaborate closely with the artist, designer, and client to ensure the artistic concept, client vision, and site requirements all align. Assessments of topographic features, regular updates on a commission's progress and ongoing communication with all parties ensure the finished product will be a work that speaks to our clients in their space.

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Installation

For installation, we partner with engineering professionals and teams specialized in art logistics and handling who attend to the preparation and transportation as well as any attention to landscaping and lighting. After all the calculations have been finished and approved, our contractors pour the cement and place the rebar.

Always exhilarating, installation day involves many moving pieces. Our professional art handlers ensure the work is precisely positioned according to our preliminary renderings and secured, seamlessly.

The most exciting part of the process is the unveiling of an artwork, witnessing how it relates to its surroundings and elevates the visual landscape.

Art Management and Maintenance

For any installation, we provide extensive art documentation, such as certifications of authenticity, extensive artist profiles and comprehensive maintenance information.

After placement, we offer guidance and ongoing support for the work's continual management and upkeep. Depending on the level of exposure to the elements, there may be more protection required (ie clear-coating or waxing) or more extensive restoration if damage occurs. Whatever it may be, we ensure the work remains in the pristine condition in which it was installed.

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