Museum

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. When it comes to Pablo Picasso and Lump, this is absolutely true. Their love affair began like any other – from a short meeting budded a lifelong friendship between the two. We would like to honor last week’s artist of the week by documenting the bond shared between Picasso and his muse, a little rascal named Lump.

During their first encounter, Picasso painted the spunky dachshund on a plate, which he gifted to the pup.

This plate was the first of many depictions of the dog created by the artist throughout their many years of friendship.

In a variety of media and in different styles, Picasso began to paint his beloved dog. One of the most memorable representations of Lump comes in the form of a single line drawing by the artist.

These simple, abstract artworks were a collection by the artist that focused on the figures of the objects, people, and animals he was drawing. These were the result of the artist’s talent in representation, bringing two-dimensional figures to life after placing pencil to paper just once. Lines and curves were marked on the paper in just one stroke, and in this way, Picasso created some of his simplest, yet most interesting abstract works of art.

He not only painted his sweet dog, Lump, but also went on to paint other figures. These abstract drawings are perfect for any space. Their simple elegance complements a chic minimal space, but could also create an air of sophistication for the bedroom of a young adult. Exuding a classic, modern look, these works of art are versatile and timeless.

Picasso’s representations of this adorable dog sparked the creation of this unique series. Explore some of our favorite works from this collection on our website: http://mapacte3.com/index.php/artistinfo?limit=30&p=1&pid=132

Art doesn’t just get up and walk away. It struts. It struts down the catwalk, to the sidewalk, and into our homes. Fashion is art, and art is fashion.

Anyone who has ever met me knows that I love fashion. Every morning, when I enter my closet to get dressed for the day, my creativity is sparked. The excitement of incorporating different colors and textures and sometimes even styles prepares me for what I will encounter during my day at the office. The simple process of getting dressed has become, for me, an artistic process. Even though the final product is what seems most rewarding, the process of getting dressed is truly the best part. Fashion has made each of us artists in our own merit. Each accessory works like a brushstroke in the final masterpiece that is your outfit for the day. In this way, the art of dressing becomes just as expressive as a fine art work.

This creativity is not limited to fashion, however. Interior design is a form of self-expression, as well. A good look at your interior space should give you just as much pride and confidence, as a look at your reflection in the mirror after you get dressed in the morning. Each require the same amount of care, taste, and thought.

The connection between art and fashion has become deeper over the years. That bond has become more explicit with the immersion of the contemporary fashion world into that of museums. The epitome of this notion is the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual exhibition dedicated to fashion as art. Yet, fashion has not only become part of public cultural displays, but has also permeated the world of private decoration.

Trends cross over from the runway to the home so quickly, they occur almost simultaneously. In this way, interior design trends mirror fashion trends. This is evident in the work of fashion designers worldwide. Patterns, colors, and themes in fashion reflect those in art and design. The convergence of these elements has blurred the line between what is considered art and what is considered fashion. This, in turn, has converted our interiors and our wardrobes into canvases. Fashion and interior designers have picked up on this and have begun welding design trends with artistic influences, recreating masterpieces, in ways that allow the public to celebrate them as more than just visual art.

Inspired by Piet Mondrian’s grid paintings, Yves Saint Laurent thought outside the box, and created a collection of mod dresses. The abstract movement, which Mondrian was a part of, blended exceptionally with the minimalist fashion that followed. Then, this “Less is More” mentality was brought indoors, and is used by interior designers. Drawing on Mondrian’s use of grids, these minimalist and color block styles are frequently used for interiors, and are especially popular for bringing color to the walls of a room.

In the same way, Jackson Pollock’s “drip painting” technique has been the inspiration for various design collections. His style can be seen splattered across magazine pages, runways, and homes.

Recently, the combination of two greats brought Pop Art to the runway. Diane Von Furstenberg incorporated the prints from Andy Warhol’s famous flower paintings and silkscreen prints to put a new spin on her signature style, creating a limited edition collection of wrap dresses and handbags. These bright pops of color and the repetition of shapes and patterns crossed from the runway into the home, and Andy Warhol continues inspiring not only fashion designers, but also interior decorators.

A heightened interest in geometric shapes has brought a whole new meaning to the phrase “being square”. Squares, circles, and triangles dominate this bold trend. A modern spin has been placed on the use of these shapes in design, and they are again becoming the inspiration not only for fashion and home decor, but also for make up trends. Combining these geometric elements with bright colors makes for a daring, modern look.

No matter what inspires you, the one thing that matters is that you are inspired. Whether you choose to combine different movements, trends, and styles, or stick to one, you must ensure that your art, your outfit, your space is what you want it to be. Your art should say what you feel. Your art should reflect who you are.

Marc Jacobs said, “Clothing is a form of self-expression - there are hints of who you are in what you wear.” Here at Map Acte 3, we say, “Your space, your wardrobe, your art are forms of self-expression - there are hints of who you are in what you create.”

We hope you continue to express yourselves. We hope you continue to create. We hope our artwork will help you speak from your art!

To strip something of its embellishments is to beautify it.

Mies Van Der Rohe would agree. In fact, he might respond with “Yes, after all, ‘Less is More’”. This architect, and many other Minimalist designers believe this to be true.

These Minimalists believed in stripping everything down to the most simple of elements. Although simplicity is often considered to be cold and personality-less, the opposite is true. Minimalist style makes a statement! Stark whites and clean lines are striking. Sparing pops of bright color and accents of geometrical patterns make this style bold.

Designer Amy Lau said that “restraint calms the eye and gives everything a sense of purpose.” This is especially true for this Minimalist style. The addition of a piece to a room is a weighty decision, as each lamp, each table, each work of art must make a statement, without clashing or being too overbearing. Because of this, artwork chosen for these Minimalist settings should be of a similar, sleek style. Artists, like Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol Lewitt, Kenith Noland, Barnett Newman, Ernesto Riga, Davide Polla, and Nicolas Le Beuan Benic, have mastered this stark style, capturing the clean lines and clutter-free elements of Minimalism.

At MAP ACTE 3, we do believe in the beauty of this simplicity, and believe that in design, less can be more. Because of this, we have dedicated a portion of our line to this Minimalist art movement. Our fine art prints collection includes the work of the Minimalist artists mentioned above, and many more. Their clean, bold art works are available on our website as beautiful museum quality open edition silkscreens, art prints and limited edition prints on Plexiglas. With one, bold Minimalist piece you could make a simple, yet strong statement in any sleek commercial or residential interior space.