Grand Central

In 1935, a New York City photographer observed bold shafts of light angling into Grand Central Terminal, and immortalized the city in a moment of bustling tranquility.   The Terminal was then, as it still is now, an essential hub for commuters traveling into and out of the metropolis.  The unknown photographer timed an exposure long enough for the legs of the hurried commuters to swoop and blur, creating a harmonious relationship between the monumental sun rays and the scurrying New Yorkers.

 

Images such as this are harder to come by these days, due to the fact that the city’s skyscrapers now obstruct the brilliant sunlight that makes this photograph so compelling.  Thanks to the substantial Bettmann/Corbis image archive, photographs of the city throughout history can be purchased as richly detailed black and white fiber prints.  Amsterdam Avenue is a busy street as well, but we hope that this image displayed in our window continues to stop New Yorkers right in their tracks.

A close detail of the maple frame shows it’s angle and silver leaf inner lip.

We have framed the print in a 16 ply mat and a dark charcoal frame with a cool silver leaf inner lip.  100 years after its construction, Grand Central Terminal is still appreciated for its classic design. We feel that this frame has similarly timeless appeal.

Installation: the finishing touch

Installing Gottfried Helnwein’s “Head of a Child”, St Petersburg. Image source:  http://installator.tumblr.com/

As custom framers, we get the opportunity to work with art in a concrete, physical way. Even the most abstract artwork is still a three-dimensional object that must be handled carefully.  Our work doesn’t end with the frame, either: we also offer art installation services to ensure that the art is properly hung and displayed to its best advantage.

Our skilled art installers are able to install art of all sizes, on any surface. Above a stairway, on a brick wall, in an awkward alcove: we can securely hang nearly anything nearly anywhere.  We can also assist in creating harmonious groupings of framed peices on a wall, an excellent way to display family photos or smaller artwork.

A note about the image opening the blog: this is from the tumblr feed wrapit-tapeit-walkit-placeit .  If you love art installation as much as we do, you’ll enjoy it!

Springtime in Paris!

With springtime comes spring cleaning, and as many of our local residents may notice, we like to rotate the work in our window display to show some of our frame designs.  Swing by our Amsterdam Avenue location and see the new additions to our window display: reproductions of Karl Blossfeldt’s (1865-1932) beautiful plant studies for his seminal 1928 work, “Art Forms in Nature.” 

An image from Karl Blossfeldt’s 1928 “Art Forms in Nature”.

Although he never considered himself a photographer, Blossfeldt’s extreme close-up studies of flowers, buds, and seed capsules struck a chord with his contemporaries, and the visual impact of his photographs is still strong today. 

Arranged in a symmetrical grid of six, the frames are examples of how the addition of a simple, angled white frame with a wide mat can subtly complement, rather than distract from, a black and white reproduction.  The deep bevel created by the 12 ply mat further heightens the precious quality of Blossfeldt’s prints.

Notice the angled frame detail…

Customers often walk into Paris Framing with their favorite coffee table book, bookmarked with sticky notes and looking for framing possibilities for the most striking images.  We have done just that, selecting some of Blossfeldt’s most interesting compositions.  Out with the new, in with the old!

A Special Bottle

One of our clients recently asked us to create a frame for the label and cork cage that she had saved from a bottle opened in honor of a very special occasion- the birth of her first child.  We asked her permission to share the finished project on the blog, as we thought the frame turned out very well!

 

 We chose a moulding with a clean silver face to compliment the highlights of the label and the wire cage, and black sides to give the peice some definition on the wall.  We wrapped the mat in a white linen fabric and create openings for the labels.  The cork cage floats in the top margin, and the walls of the shadowbox are lined in the same white linen fabric. This is a beautiful way to preserve and display any cherished object for years to come.

 

 

 

Tis the season …

This year at Paris Framemakers, we made a few holiday ornaments in between making frames! We promise not to change our name to “Paris Ornament Makers”.  At least not yet. 

 

Two frames for one piece of art.

 

Using two frames is a great way to create a sense of depth to a piece. Adding another layer can help you add a touch of contrast which helps when viewing a dark work of art.

In the images above we have a beautiful slate finished frame. This frame is strong and substantial and the natural lines in the material echo the design in the artwork. However, the large frame alone was a bit dark. We added a nice highlight with a brushed silver frame. The profile of the inner frame was perfect for bringing your eye into the center of the piece.

This is always a wonderful way to create your own unique look that is special to you.

Industrial Frames

 

Above:

Aus der Serie Schumann Eusebuis V

Filip Zorzor 2010

 

Industrial frames have a great sense of architecture and stability. With beautiful strong lines and intricate details, industrial frames make for wonderful statement pieces.

Small Treasures

 

Above:

1. Tai Chang Coins 

2. Tai Chang Coasters

Prints, paintings, and postcards that we gather on trips can become small treasures and hold sentimental value.  They tell the story of where we have been, who we have met, and the adventurous journeys we have embarked on.

The small price of these items should not ensure that they are stuffed in a drawer and forgotten.  These small works of art can have the same impact as a painting from an art gallery or a portrait of your family. With a little care and the right frame, these mementos become stunning additions to any house or home, and are great reminders of the adventurous spirit in all of us.

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor

Photographer John McDermott has an exhibit that just opened up this week and we would like to spread the word.

The crop of photos he is presenting are gorgeous.  As the press release says, “Hailed as the Ansel Adams of Angkor by The New York Times, John McDermott began photographing the majestic stone temples in 1995 when he went to Cambodia to witness a total eclipse of the sun.  This unique visual experience- watching the surreal light of the eclipse wash over the ruins – led to a long-term photography project that captures a vision of the temples in an incarnation before the advent of tourism.” 

The pieces in the show present a dramatic visual exploration of Angkor, showcasing the ethereal beauty of the landscapes he encountered.  Check it out!

Sundaram Tagore Gallery is at 547 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001.  Opening cocktail reception is Thursday, June 9th, from 6-8 pm.  The show runs through July 1st.

 

The Lonely House

We had the pleasure recently of framing a Ursula Fookes linocut for a client. As we began the discussion of suitable framing options, we agreed it was in need of a frame that would capture the movement Ursula had so eloquently created.

We agreed on a beautiful hand finished frame with rounded corners. This frame does an excellent job of echoing the shapes in the atmosphere. Instead of a traditional frame, the rounded corners allow for the piece to keep moving continuously instead of boxing it in.

“The Lonely House” , 1930 Linocut

Ursula Fookes (1906-1991)