Once simply called ‘wallpaper’ the trade now refers to it as ‘wallcovering’ which should really be renamed as ‘wall graphics.’ There seems to be a renaissance happening in Wallcovering. The design of such has gone far beyond the repeat to unexpected patterns that purposefully do not match, colors that engage conversation and random splatterings of provocative phrases, text and bling that is increasingly dramaticized Interactive and more over emerging. Wallcovering today in the commercial and residential market has become three dimensional works of contemplative art. You may soon need a ticket in advance to view its mesmerizing offerings…cause it’s not your grandma’s muted foyer blue hand block printed damask patterned ‘wallpaper’ anymore. Images below: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Traditional-Design-Fabric-wallpaper-wooden-handprinting-block-D5-/170900541193
Centuries old hand blocking tools for early wallpaper printing/applied by hand not digital or mass produced.
The underside pattern revealed.
Fast forward to the last decade in the 20th century and super graphics took hold due to flat bed printing technology, digital scanners and printers. An entire wall became the image not multiple applied rows projecting a powerful single image and mood. Image below:http://www.goodrichglobal.com/web/category/catalogs/wallcovering/
Messaging not via text/tweets or phone but on brightly painted white drywall wall catapulted exhibit and display opportunities through inexpensive ways to translate knowledge and wayfinding. Such forms of communication were widely explored and interpreted. Once lasered into acrylic in the 80's and 90's then back lit, large font graphics (like the image above) were more and more affordable and accepted over semi-permanent forms of conveyance in galleries and museums. Wallcoveirng? yes of sorts...but purposefully sectioned and deliberately applied in random placement. Image below: http://www.color-x.com/museum-and-exhibition-graphics/
The use of such large graphic wallcovering (below image) covered not only the floors & passageways of influential wallcoveirng trade shows as literal signage. Beyond the wayfinding the graphic envelope is pushed farther within the industry booths above & below exhibiting up and coming offerings of which to specify 3-D interpreted being one of them. Image below: http://dreamwall1.wordpress.com/tag/sally-sawyer-surface-design-somerset-college-3d-innovation-designs/
Working off of the concept of what is wallpaper? and how it can be translated or subtly manipulated gives way to the artful use of paper. The meshing of product design and wallcoveirng graphic design seems to be yielding a 3-D effect of the blended the two. Novel to say the least or most. Image below:
Knoll has backed the creative efforts of Suzanne Tick, a lower Manhattan based designer who pushes the envelope or in this case dry cleaning bags to arrive at innovative wallcoving and textile product ( as seen below). "Suzanne Tick currently heads up Suzanne Tick Inc., specializing in material development for commercial and residential interiors, including textiles, hard surfacing, glass, carpet, woven metal screens, and lighting. Her clients include KnollTextiles, Tandus Flooring and Skyline Design. Suzanne has worked with Knoll Textiles since 1995." Quote: http://suzannetick.com/about/profile/ source: http://suzannetick.com/about/profile/http://www.indesignlive.com/articles/products/KnollTextiles-ScreenPlay-Series
Light offers so many opportunities of discovery. Shadows in particular create a ballet of sorts as one walks past 3-D wall art/covering options or in the negative space create by recycled materials as in above or as in the creative use of recycled content paper forms then brightly painted in sun drenched colors and applied as wall/mural artcovering below. Images below ( paper forms): http://mioculture.com/create.html
Perhaps the most innovative wallcoveirng is not wallcovering (yet) however the potential for the use is beyond imaginative and possible. Elisa Strozyk has taken the geometric form & strength of the triangle and adhered it to multiple mediums, by doing so her art is wearable and can be installed in interiors. The light weight application is so versatile Elisa has begun to explore lighting/shade designs for pendants as well. 2-Images below/wood veneers: http://doyoulovewhereyoulive.com/archives/wooden-textiles-beautiful-innovation-by-designer-elisa-strozyk
A wearable shall literally made out of wood. Wood veneers that is.
Wood products recycled/re-purposed explored...has given the traditional 'wall panel' a new meaning. The wallcoveing can be sound absorbent and at the same time provide a vertical aesthetic in an office or residence. Source for image below: http://www.trendir.com/archives/004176.html#more
Chilewich, a Manhattan based think tank design firm has developed a line of products around their innovative textile. Their latest offering has expanded their table top mats to woven wall-to-wall floor, wall covering with polyurethane cushions and cell phone cases. Highly textural, their clean modernist appearance is functional while sublime design. Image below: http://www.architectmagazine.com/flooring/plynyl-w2w-covering-by-chilewich.aspx
Wallcovering has taken a step back in order to move forward. Less is certainly more as motifs and iconic textures grace walls as placed 'art' verses entire coverage. Allowing the admired to create the look of the finished wall based on the amount of water drops applied and desired. Image below: http://www.trendir.com/archives/004330.html#more
Expanding upon the idea that one can interact with their walls, this 'wall-calendar' has taken proportion to new heights or widths in this instance. Image below: http://www.likecool.com/cate-Home-53.html_
Not to be outdone by the latest in wallcovering interaction...light sensors and sound sensors (below) allow the user to change the look and physical sound being played off of the wall. truly a personal experience being the visual of rows of printed images of yesteryear. Image below: _http://hlt.media.mit.edu/?p=27
Perhaps the most innovative use of wallcovering 'art' is based on pure geometry and trompe l'oeil effect. Patterns placed in manipulative ways create an experience and stimulate the brain while walking past the mesmerizing colorways. Image below: http://www.newopticalillusions.com/illusions/moving-optical-illusions/page/13/
Which brings us to sheer "AMAZING" in the world of innovative wallcoverings. The "RGB" series by Carnovsky, a Milan based designer who merges pattern, color ,light, texture, playfulness and sublime in one. Light is the 'key' activator and the passer by benefits from the Escher effect of forms that appear and disappeared as Red, Green & Blue color waves interactwith he mural/wallcovering. Very different moods experienced indeed but above all a sense of awe is unanimous. Bravo! Images below: http://www.carnovsky.com/RGB.htm