It is amazing to think that through a masterful play of colors, shapes, and arrangements that an artist can turn a plain canvas into an immersive piece and stir our imagination and conversation. The unspoken impact of an artist’s work is what sparked our creation of the MOVArt line, a collection of one-of-a-kind custom globes made in collaboration with talented artists and creative makers. Because it’s American Artist Appreciation Month this month, we’d like to share with you how the MOVArt™ collection started, how we discover new artists, and why we strive to infuse their visionary artwork with our patented motion.
The Beginning
The idea for bringing art to life with motion was around even during the development of the MOVA Globe, when we first desired to create a spherical object that was as beautiful and magical as it was technological. The inspiration quickly grew after we attended a number of stationary shows back in 2011 and came across the work of artist Andy Russell, who moved us with his artistic technique and compelling visuals. Upon discovering that he himself owned a MOVA Globe and was interested in our vision, we thought, “Why not combine our motion with his artwork and create one piece of moving art that, even when turning, could tell a story with every detail and every movement?” The gears started turning.
Building off the success of our different MOVA Globe designs, the MOVArt™ collection aims to create a two-way relationship between art and motion. Showcasing an artwork pushes the creativity on our globes by introducing a narrative beauty and eloquence into our calm motion in a way we never thought was possible. At the same time, our physical motion serves to add a new dimension to the artist’s work, unlocking intentions and meanings that previously might not have been visible. The collaboration not only showcases the artist and bring our creations to a new audience, but it also lets us create new art together.
Collaborating with Artists
The MOVArt™ collection currently showcases the works of Andy Russell, Dick Termes, and Wendy Gold. While we subsequently commissioned Andy to create our first holiday-themed MOVA Globe, Dick reached out to us after he came across our globes at a conference and saw a perfect fit between his spherical artwork and our globes’ movement. Peggy, MOVA Inventor Bill French’s wife, saw Wendy’s work and we reached out to her for a possible collaboration. All three artists were fascinated with our technology and saw it as a way to enhance the impact of their artwork. It was a win-win situation for artist and manufacturer.
As we continue to look for more artists to collaborate with, we have to make sure that their artwork translates well onto a sphere, retaining their fidelity while still looking eye-catching even while turning. This generally means that we are searching for artwork that’s rich with content and has the ability to be consumed from any angle.
The Design Process
The design for the MOVArt™ collection is a very involved process. While some of the artists, like Dick Termes, already had digital versions of their designs available, other artists created one-of-a-kind original art that we then digitalized to fit on our globes. With each piece, we have to carefully position the designs in specific points to maintain composition and prevent distortion, and also print with specific color combinations to ensure that everything matches the originals as closely as possible. We frequently communicate with the artists throughout the process for their feedback and design input. It’s a delicate process of allowing the artist freedom to work in their original style while always taking into account what the final product will look like to our loyal MOVA fans and collectors.
What’s Next for MOVArt™
We just launched Dick Termes’ newest Black Hills Termesphere MOVA Globe, honoring the Black Hills region of South Dakota and we’re in the testing phase of a brand new design we’ll hopefully get to share with you very soon.
We’re constantly on the hunt for new artists whose art will work well with our motion. We believe that the soothing motion of our technology has the potential to create new meaning in an artwork, and like the fine details and array of colors that comprise a painting or photography, it can serve as another means for an artist to convey their thoughts and emotions. Ultimately, we hope the MOVArt™ collection contributes to the legacy of art having the power to bring people together and tell fascinating stories about the world.
As we continue to expand the MOVArt™ line and make moving art an essential component in interior design, we would love to have your feedback. Is there an artist whose work you think would look great on a MOVA Globe? Let us know on Facebook!