Reinventing the Past

Michael Lin says he “creates paintings as spaces to occupy.” His 2017 Chiostro del Bramante (Bramante Cloiser in English), above, is a site-specific work designed for a 16th-century building in Rome. Viewers can walk across the image, immersing themselves in vibrant colors and a swirling floral pattern.

In keeping with his usual practice, Lin based this pattern on traditional textiles from Taiwan, where he spent much of his childhood and continues to live part-time. The bright, colorful flowers adorn a rich blue background. Contrasting the building’s rigid, repeating stone pillars, Lin’s organic flowing design is asymmetrical. The cheerful blooms might make you think of Art Nouveau’s curving natural forms.

Artist Michael Lin says he “creates paintings as spaces to occupy.” His 2017 work Chiostro del Bramante (Bramante Cloister in English) is shown above. It was designed for a 16th-century building in Rome. Viewers can walk across the image on the floor. It surrounds them in a colorful floral pattern.

Lin based the pattern on traditional fabrics from Taiwan. That’s where he spent much of his childhood and still lives part-time. The bright flowers decorate a rich blue background. The design is asymmetrical, unlike the stone pillars of the building. What do the cheerful blooms make you think of? Do you see a connection with Art Nouveau’s natural forms?

The Chrysler Building is one of the most famous buildings in the New York City skyline, and an iconic example of Art Deco architecture. In his 2013 Chrysler, above, Alexandre Arrechea (ah-lek-SAHN-dreh ah-reh-CHEH) reimagines the landmark, inviting comparisons between classic Art Deco and contemporary fine art.

Like its namesake, Arrechea’s sculpture is tall and shiny, but made from painted aluminum. A pattern of dotted lines resembles windows. The top points upward, as if it could pierce the clouds, while the rest of the sculpture snakes down like a coiled fire hose.

As a child, Arrechea enjoyed watching his father, a machinist, and his uncle, a carpenter, make things. He fondly remembers drawing buildings as an art student in Cuba. With this sculpture, Arrechea says, he “wanted to make the statement that we have the ability to transform our surroundings.” How does Arrechea transform this iconic landmark?

The Chrysler Building is one of the most famous buildings in New York City. Artist Alexandre Arrechea (ah-lek-SAHN-dreh ah-reh-CHEH) reimagines the building in his 2013 work Chrysler, above. Does anything about it remind you of Art Deco?

Like the real building, Arrechea’s sculpture is tall and shiny. It is made of stainless steel. A pattern of dotted lines looks like windows. The top points upward, but the sculpture coils down like a snake.

Arrechea’s father worked with machines. His uncle was a carpenter. The artist grew up watching them make things. Arrechea wanted this sculpture to show “that we have the ability to transform our surroundings.”

American artist Shepard Fairey never shies away from a bold statement— visual or conceptual. His signature style features stylized imagery, a limited color palette, and black outlines. In his 2022 Eyes Wide Open, above, a series of angular geometric lines form hard edges. At the center of the symmetrical image, a woman looks down at a stylized eye. It suggests an ancient or mythical symbol, much like the references to ancient Egypt that are common in Art Deco.

Bold typography emphasizes the importance of thinking independently and being broad-minded. “I use my art to inspire people to care, because they won’t act if they don’t care,” Fairey explains.

American artist Shepard Fairey loves to make bold statements. He uses stylized imagery, limited colors, and black outlines. You can see these in his 2022 work Eyes Wide Open, above. Geometric lines form hard edges. The image is symmetrical. In the center, a woman looks down at a stylized eye. It’s a lot like references to ancient Egypt that you see in Art Deco. 

The bold lettering highlights the importance of thinking independently. “I use my art to inspire people to care,” says Fairey. “They won’t act if they don’t care.”