Visual Importance
Cutting-edge Gallery is Master in the Art
of Frame Design
Story by Sara Liss | Photos
by Simon Hare
Of
all the daunting decisions associated with interior design, framing a
picture or a piece of prized artwork can be the most bewildering. There
is the abundance of materials — the warmth of carved wood, the shimmer of
silver, the richness of leather. Colors are unlimited, too, as are
options. Choosing the right frame can sometimes be an exercise in
creative visual thinking. Although frames have a presence of their own,
they must be integral to the art they contain, often acting as a bridge
between the art and the interior of the home.
For Ken Bower and Jose Luis Mendez, proprietors of Miami's Urbania
Cutting Edge Frame Design, this meticulous design process is not only a
profession but a passion.
Both Mendez and Bower view each framing project as its own entity and
design each piece to fit the needs of the work and the client. When
designing a framing package that is adequate to the piece of art, the
duo will often visit the home or space where the piece will hang in
order to best assess the type of frame needed. This attention to detail
has gained Urbania a stellar reputation amongst many of Miami's famous
art collectors, including Martin Margulies and Craig Robins. Top
interior designers — Alison Spear, J. Wallace Tutt III, Sam Robin, Zeke
Fernandez and Austin Harrelson — often call on Urbania to frame
everything from artwork to mirrors to children's drawings.
“We owe it to our clients to design and execute a framing package that
complements the artwork,” said Bower. “We carry some of the most
beautiful picture mouldings available in the world.” |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
A full-service custom framing gallery, Urbania is
committed to providing the highest level of design expertise and
components. Contemporary artist Steve Martin, owner of Steve Martin
Studio, agrees. Recently, Martin brought a client and one of his
creations, Golden Fleece,
to Urbania to consult on framing possibilities. The client was excited
about the artwork, but uncertain as to how it should be presented.
Golden Fleece
is a striking 22 inches by 30 inches monoprint done
in a reverse in taglio on handmade French paper. The owner planned on
hanging the art work in an all-white environment.
“I felt confident that Ken would be able to create the right kind of
setting for my work without direction from me as the artist,” said
Martin, who has worked with Urbania on numerous projects.
The challenge for Urbania: how to frame the work in a way that enhanced
the visual importance of the piece while creating the right frame within
the context of the space. Since all the materials involved were
monochromatic, this required some innovative thinking on Bower and
Mendez's part.
“We float-mounted the work so that it stands away from the background of
white linen. We used 9-inch-wide double-stacked white Italian moulding
and created clean angles which we finished with museum-quality glass
that is clear, non-reflective and UV filtering,” said Bower.
The result: sublime in its simplicity; the raised mouldings add shadow
and depth to the white on-white piece.
A member of the Professional Picture Framers of America, Bower has more
than 30 years of industry experience. Raised in Miami, Bower owned an
art and frame gallery in San Francisco for 18 years before returning
home. Mendez, a master frame designer and artist by trade, studied with
Puerto Rican artist Andrés Bueso and apprenticed with American painter
Danni Dawson.
In May 2005, Urbania opened its doors in the Design District. Today the
gallery offers more than 2,000 corner samples and a variety of services,
including custom color matching, French matting, custom finishing,
hand-wrapped mats and liners, conservation mounting and custom mirrors.
The company's vast selection of moulding extends from contemporary to
traditional. In addition to genuine gold leaf period frames, the company
also offers welded steel, leather-wrapped and the finest North American
and exotic hardwood frames.
Urbania, 4 NE 39th St.,
305.576.0924,
www.urbaniadesign.com |
|
|
|
