Internet, Images and You

The internet is an interesting place - one the enables commissions to happen between artists, designers and clients from across the country - or even the entire world. As an example - a cast glass-and-steel work by Washington Glass Studio artist/director Michael Janis was seen by an Atlanta-based art consultant looking for artwork for a new hotel being designed by a Hollywood based interiors firm.

The original work "Liar Paradox" - Fred & Susan Sanders collection.
Photo credit: anythingphoto.net

Original schematic architectural lobby design by Cheryl Rowley Design.

In 2006, an Atlanta based art consultancy sourced Michael's work from the internet and approached him to make a 6'-0" version of the work to be the central work in the new Kimpton Hotel that was under construction in the Dupont Circle section of Washington, DC. The new hotel was to be designed and embellished to reflect the hotel's theme of "Art In Motion" The finished three section cast glass-and-steel work titled "The Gravity Between Us" was built and installed in the lobby. The artwork was named Boutique Hotels Magazine's "Best Artwork" in 2007.

"The Gravity Between Us" glass and steel sculpture by Michael Janis.

Detail of "The Gravity Between Us" by Michael Janis.
Washington, DC Palomar Hotel.

Viewing through the slabs of cast glass to the hotel lobby.

The internet was integral to the commission of the original work. After being made, the digital images of the large scale sculpture continue onwards - online.

A new GOOGLE image search function allows one to search online for specific or similar images. By dropping an image into the search box and it not only finds all "similar" images around the Internets, but also all the websites where that image is being used.

Using that function, it was discovered that many of the images of the Palomar Hotel glass artwork are referenced or are reproduced all over...the world! Below is an image of where the artwork was used as the cover of a Hong Kong book on international boutique hotels. This highlights the importance of having good digital images of any art made - they become the strongest selling card for other work.