Creating Art with Self Adhesive Film

Digital printing and coloured films can quickly turn an artist’s vision into a reality. Non- traditional substrates can easily become a statement piece of art. The technology of printing, computer cutting and self- adhesive media can create art on a scale much larger than traditional fabrications and give artists the freedom to display their creations anywhere. The artist can quickly install and remove their work and present to a much larger audience simply by using more public areas and unique spaces to exhibit as opposed to galleries and other more conventional environments.

The following installations from the MACtac Worldwide Awards are just some examples showing the creative scope of self-adhesive films.

COLOURING THE INVISIBLE by Artist Julia Vogl 150 windows in a 5 story European educational centre were covered in coloured transparent vinyl. 17 different colours were used to represent the different languages spoken fluently by those using the building space. The goal of the artist was to transform the interior space in a meaningful way and bring to life the culture of the people using the building.

LET US BUILD AND LAUNCH A BLUE ROCKET TO HIS HEAVEN by Tsang Kin-Wah Over 900M2 of the walls, ceiling and floor in the interior of this ex-sugar refinery were decorated with the unique abstract art of the renowned Chinese artist Tsang Kin Wah.  The striking floral design on closer inspection is made up of text and is Tsang Kin Wah signature style. He uses negative, foul and vulgar language embedded in the designs as a way to challenge social norms. The beautiful designs are therefore deceiving as Kin-Wah aims to represent that what we see on the surface isn’t always the true nature of an object. The use of self- adhesive media allowed Tsang to present his work on a large scale and in a way that would be impossible to achieve otherwise.

STORM by Jinnie Seo Storm was commissioned by the National Museum of Singapore as part of its Art-On-Site programme. Under this programme, Asian artists were invited to create original work within the public spaces of the museum that would alter visitor perceptions of the museum environment. Seo created a number of coloured works using film to completely transform the museum’s interior. The use of form and light creates a piece that comes alive and changes through the course of the day with the shifting sunlight.

SEHFEST/SEEWORTHY by Achim Zeman Achim Zeman is a German artist who transforms spaces with lineal, patterned and singular colour explosions to create an immersive atmosphere for visitors. He plays on words and form to evoke thought and reaction from his audiences.  Over 3 kms of film was used in this lineal representation in the LandesMuseum in Bonn. The film was overlaid multiple times to create not only design but texture.

OTHER ARTISTIC PIECES- 23 M2 of window space in an art gallery was been decorated with an interesting and complex visual. The design was completely hand cut by the artist on black coloured film.

OTHER ARTISTIC PIECES- The walls of this art gallery were completely covered with an abstract design inspired by the artist’s paintings. Black vinyl was plotter cut to create a striking pattern. Coated with a removable adhesive the art gallery walls were restored after the exhibition.

Denise Nathan is Marketing Manager - MACtac in Oceania denise@mactac.co.nz