27th April 2021 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID ShareTweetPinterestLinkedIn Specialising in residential interiors, Diego Correa, SBID Accredited Designer & Founder of Diego Correa Interior Design, shares his approach to successfully integrating art within interior design schemes to capture the client’s narrative and enhance interior environments. Art as a form of communication One of the most important things I have learned regarding understanding art is a comment made by an art curator friend, who said: “Diego in art there is such thing as multiplying by Zero”. He explained, “When artworks are being displayed in a room, if you place them incorrectly, for example, a very strong piece next to a subtle one, or two very bold pieces too close to each other, it will be very difficult if not impossible to appreciate them. The tension will be too strong between both pieces, hence each of them will annul the other: Multiplied by Zero.” Since then, when working with artworks either in a gallery, residence or in a public space this awareness has helped me to be attentive to what the artwork tries to say and how the setting can help to allow that communication between “it” and the viewer to be possible and even enhanced. And that “setting” in a home is its interior design. Specifying artwork with purpose & meaning The first step to making it right when placing artwork in a home is to understand the relation of the owner with art: Is it decorative? Is it an intellectual/passionate relation with its meaning and expression? Is it pride for having many pieces he/she have accumulated? or Is it the display of a well-shaped collection? All reasons are valid but every one of them will demand a different approach to positioning. Other important aspects include: dimensions, theme, technique, fragility and very importantly the story you want to tell; not just about your artwork, but about yourself too. Due to the fact that interior design is going to generate a visual, intellectual and emotional response in the occupants and visitors alike, it will become the frame in which the artwork will sit, hopefully comfortably, and tell its very own story with freedom and easiness. Interior design as a frame to enhance artistic works If you are lucky enough to have one of Monet’s waterlilies or a Rothko (let’s dream) you want to be able to immerse yourself in the expansion that these artworks offer, one of beauty and nature, the other of eternity so the position chosen for them has to be one that allows contemplation, that removes distractions, with the right lighting and a space from which you can imagine, think and feel. Art helps us to appreciate the tangible and intangible from different perspectives allowing ourselves to expand our horizons while we enjoy it visually; Interior design has the duty to understand this, incorporating them wisely, thoroughly and sensitively in the design scheme and flow of the space. We cannot forget that Interior design can be either the frame that enhances communication or the zero-multiplying factor; for an art lover, the latter should not happen. About the Author Founder of Diego Correa Interior Design, Diego specialises in residential projects. With 14 years in the interior design industry and a degree in architecture, his approach stems from a combination of his professional training and experience together with his ethics and vision. Want to submit your own content? Click here to find out more.