Pantone Color of the Year 2016

The Pantone Color Institute has announced its“ Pantone Color of the Year” for 2016.  For the first time, two colors, Rose Quartz & Serenity, were chosen as the colors for 2016.  Think a blush pink and a soothing, cool blue. 

Both colors are equally worthy and stand strongly on their own and while also complementing each other beautifully. 

“Joined together Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as was a soothing sense of order and peace,” according to Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute.

In addition to wellness, the colors challenge the traditional perceptions of colors association.  In fashion and interiors, there is a strong gender blurbreaking down the long held perception that “pink” is for girls and “blue” is for boys.   In the US, unlike many countries, this is also a cultural shift.

I like the shift to two colors – when do we ever experience color alone?  It is more realistic to consider color in relation to each other, or consider their “color interaction” which is a big component of color theory.  Also, it is a welcome departure from the saturated jewel tones that have dominated Pantone’s choice for the last several years.

Since the announcement, I have been noticing these colors in use in fashion and interiors, and in nature!  Take notice of the view outside NewStudio’ s office of a recent sunrise over the lake:   Rose Quartz & Serenity are the stars of the show!

NewStudio Architecture's Art Shanty Featured in Architecture Minnesota

NewStudio's 2014 "Curling Clubhouse" Art Shanty was recently featured in Architecture Minnesota! You can read the copy from Frank Edgerton Martin's interview here

Looking foward to this years event! See our proposal below:

The “Box” Studio (Artist: Adam Jarvi)

This shanty is a roving retreat for professional and aspiring artists to consider and contemplate the wintry milieu. People inspired by the lake and landscape—color, light, moods, and sights—of a Minnesota winter are invited to practice their craft while visitors mingle with artists-in-residence at work and in the field.

 

For more information about the Art Shanty Projects, click here.

 


2015 Fusion + Fashion

The theme of IIDA’s 2015 Fusion + Fashion runway show was a call to action:  Find Your Muse.

Pablo Picasso, Yves Saint Laurent, Bob Dylan, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Andy Warhol are all united by something surprisingly simple: they all had a muse that inspired them to create. Most, if not all, of the greatest creative work in history was inspired by these sometimes hidden muses; the driving forces behind an artist's creations. Simply defined: a muse is a source of inspiration, or a guiding genius.

This year, the challenge was to "Find Your Muse" and translate it into a unique ensemble for the runway.

NewStudio Architecture chose the Lake, White bear Lake, as our Muse, or source of inspiration and titled our entry “Siren of White Bear Lake”.  Our written concept was created in the form of a poem:

The morning genius of the lake. Oh turquoise wave in golden sun. 'Til dipping, sinking, waning light. Erupts in flaming jade at once. 

Our interpretation took on the hues and flow of water.  Both structured and unstructured forms represented the different stages on the lake through the year.  And, the trim on the skirt the wake of the water – made up of spinnaker cloth.  Other materials included upholstery & drapery fabrics, and wallcovering & 3Form.

Our own Lindsay Matenaer served as an outstanding model! 

It was a fun and challenging process  with great results.  It represents the creative endeavors we thrive on at NewStudio!