At Home With Art: Suspended Sculptures Heighten the Possibilities
When it comes to different types of art, I’ve always had a special
place in my heart for sculpture. There is something about
three-dimensional art that inspires me and moves me in a way that
two-dimensional paintings don’t. But I’ve noticed that people often pass
up sculpture for their home — not because they don’t love a piece, but
because they just don’t really know where to display it. In this
ideabook we’ll explore the possibilities of sculpture suspended from the
ceiling. If you’ve never considered this approach, take a look at these
interesting and innovative installations. I hope they inspire you to
get creative with 3D art in your home!
The owners of this home clearly
have a sense of elegance and sophistication balanced with an offbeat
sense of humor. Contrasting this graceful staircase with figures
plummeting down the center gets your attention in a way that is
inventive and playful. Makes you wonder: Did they fall … or did they
jump?
Ah! At the top of the stairs we
get our answer, as this little figure on the floor seems to be
contemplating the leap, while the others appear to be jumping off in
joyful abandon.
Artist: Daniel Serna
Artist: Daniel Serna
This award-winning, suspended
mixed-media sculpture in a three-story entryway is breathtaking! I know
there is a lot to think about during new construction, but considering
your art right at the beginning will give you the chance to do something
spectacular.
In this case the architect was the artist as well. Mark Bufalini designed this metal and glass sculpture and worked with Robert White of Houston to have it fabricated.
The structural support was built right into the ceiling, and four cables also support this from four different points in the entryway. As the sculpture is suspended, it can be enjoyed from all angles as visitors ascend and view it from the upper-floor balconies.
In this case the architect was the artist as well. Mark Bufalini designed this metal and glass sculpture and worked with Robert White of Houston to have it fabricated.
The structural support was built right into the ceiling, and four cables also support this from four different points in the entryway. As the sculpture is suspended, it can be enjoyed from all angles as visitors ascend and view it from the upper-floor balconies.
If you are looking for a
suspended sculpture to fill your vertical space but don’t want the
worries of installing something heavy, consider a light-as-air wire
sculpture. The homeowners commissioned this piece with an eye toward
viewing it from different angles as someone ascends the stairs to the
office above. The white painted walls, balusters and railing showcase
the piece rather than compete with it.
Artist: Rodger Stevens
Artist: Rodger Stevens
Suspending a sculpture from the
ceiling creates the chance to enjoy it from so many vantage points. This
second-floor office enjoys a view of a glass sculpture, by Graham Caldwell,
suspended above the living area below. The floor-to-ceiling windows
provide light to sparkle through the droplet-shaped glass pieces.
A suspended sculpture can be a
large-scale piece while taking up relatively little floor space. This
lovely twisted and knotted sculptural form, made from wool, cashmere and
silk, is unusual and particularly well suited to the serene feel of
this bedroom. A comparably sized sculpture standing on the floor would
generally take up quite a bit more floor space for stability. And on
soft carpeting, as seen here, it could be really hard to get a sculpture
to stand straight and not wobble, even on a wide base. But I suspect
that the draw for the homeowner here was the beauty of the undulating
twists and loops of fabric.
Artist: Dana Barnes
Artist: Dana Barnes
This swooping curve of steel
feels like a visual dance. Such an airy and open form needs space around
it to be appreciated, so this sparsely furnished room is just right.
Artist: Dee Briggs
Artist: Dee Briggs
The art and architecture are
integrated in an interesting way in this bathroom retreat. On the right
is a suspended sculpture created from pieces of shattered stone on
cording. On the other side of the cedar wall behind the sculpture is a
two-story shower.
There is a nice balance of elements with the shower of water and what looks like a shower of stones. Suspended along the wall like this, the sculpture requires very little floor area yet creates a dramatic impact, reaching all the way to the ceiling.
Artist: Barbara Josephs Liotta
There is a nice balance of elements with the shower of water and what looks like a shower of stones. Suspended along the wall like this, the sculpture requires very little floor area yet creates a dramatic impact, reaching all the way to the ceiling.
Artist: Barbara Josephs Liotta
Suspended sculptures don’t always
require ultrahigh ceilings or wide-open spaces. A niche with a
spotlight is a great place in which to suspend a beautiful and simple
sculptural form.
Designed by MaRae Simone,
this wall-hugging suspended sculpture was created from slices of a
reclaimed log. Because the slices are suspended instead of mounted on
the wall, they can gently turn in multiple directions and cast shadows
on the wall.
The dining table offers a great spot for suspended sculptures too. The homeowner had this piece — “The Blue Pastille,” by Timothy Rose — from a previous home. It’s loosely based on the shape of a chrysanthemum.
This lovely blue mobile moves with the air currents, and the recessed ceiling light above it creates interesting shadows of the petal shapes.
Artist: Timothy Rose
This lovely blue mobile moves with the air currents, and the recessed ceiling light above it creates interesting shadows of the petal shapes.
Artist: Timothy Rose
