To Frame or Not To Frame
This is an excerpt from an email written to Joe Nalven written Oct. 23, 2007:
“As you know I enjoy abstraction and have fun creating it. I did
not know about not framing work tends to modernize it?
(Those cave artists must have had beards?)
I like to experiment quite a bit and occasionally
enter a competition. Unfortunately some competitions
are quite strict about entering framed art. So you
must conform to their whims if you want to play on
their playground.
Getting back to the point I think I was going to
make(or question I would ask), “To Frame or Not To
Frame”,(Is that a question?)
I was told that the frame is entrapping certain prints
that I have done. That the eye should be able to
travel to infinity and the mind should interpret the
drawing endless. By framing I have bounded the
boundaries that cheat the viewer from fully
captivating the imagination.
So I’ve tried different approaches from not framing to
matting with different size frames, thin and thick.
I’ve also tried to implode my work where the viewer is
drawn into the print instead of wandering into
oblivion.
What works and what doesn’t and when to frame, I’m not
entirely sure about but lately I’ve been experimenting
with canvas prints and putting them into a floating
frame which gives a look of freedom of the print in a
traditional expected framed setting.
I have to admit, I do get that “WOW” feeling once I
think I’ve done something good. But again that is only
one mans opinion, ( I remember when that and a nickel,
would just about get you a cup of coffee.)(Well, maybe
a candy bar or a comic book for a dime?)”
msleeds
Heres a noteworth reply:
Posted by: “Marsha” Perianthal@hotmail.com perianthal
Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:40 am (PST)
Thanks for the interesting read. I personally haven’t warmed up yet
to putting my images on canvas. I’ve done a couple, but it feels like
I lose detail and my high res process is sort of “about” detail. I’ll
reserve judgment for the future. But…
I would comment that there are options this article doesn’t mention
and I think are particularly relevant to digital art. I’ve recently
seen a number of pieces mounted directly on aluminum, they are coated
to protect the image and typically have some sort of backing that
brings them away from the wall. I’ve also had a print done dry
mounted on fiberboard:
http://www.colorpla k.com/main. html
very nice effect except that I prefer a luster finish and they had
only matte at the time mine was done.
My preferred method is plexi sandwich:
http://www.finishin gstudio.com/ finishing. htm
These illustrations don’t show exactly what it is, but the point is
that it seals the artwork (permanently- which some people won’t like)
but there is nothing beyond the edge of the image.
I think the author makes an interesting point about an image needing
to be separated from the surroundings of the room, but I felt that
the frame itself was distracting, especially for more contemporary
processes.
I suppose there is a need for both and certainly depending on where
the piece ends up a traditional frame may be a much better choice. I
just wanted to mention some other options.
~Marsha
http://www.whisperi ngleafdesigns. com