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The Art of Framing—COSIGN
Way of Bringing Artworks to Life


A frame is not just a border that protects a canvas; it is a mediator between the painting and its viewer. This is a true statement from William Bailey, a consultant to the New York’s Museum of Modern Art. And it holds true for the Art Frames, a line of newly launched modular art frames from COSIGN India.


William Bailey further states that the design of a frame must effect a transition from the existing physical location, usually a wall in a room or a gallery, into the illusionistic realm of the painting. “This should occur graciously and imperceptibly. The frame should also prepare the eye and mind of the viewer to accept and embrace the domain of the painting on its own terms,” he points out.

Art frames have been central to works of many artists, almost becoming a part of the artwork itself. Van Gogh was one of the illustrious names in the world of art who worried incessantly about the framing of his work. Salvador Dali is another great example of an artist using the art frame as an integral part of his work. As times move towards the minimalistic from the ostentatious richness of the frames from the early centuries, ‘framelessness’ is now viewed as a natural state for most contemporary art… almost like a mark of reverence to the artist. It would be safe to say that a piece of art is not complete until it has been framed correctly. An artwork can reveal its full potential, its complete beauty… only when it is framed. As art frames enter the world of minimalism, thick gilt frames that have the power to turn any room into an 18th century boudoir are on the slow exit.

The whole idea of a frame is to draw attention to the artwork, not to call attention to itself. Nowadays, PVC or wood frames are familiar for artworks. However, these materials usually demand a heavier upkeep and can be expensive. While PVC is lightweight and durable, it is definitely lacking in style and charm. Wood has been an art frame staple owing to the elegance it offers; and it demands as much care as the artwork itself and can be heavy on the pocket.

Meanwhile, fine metal frames like aluminum have become a mainstay of museums and galleries owing to their conservation quality, sturdy as well as lightness, their versatility, ease of assembly and costeffectiveness. Keeping this in mind, COSIGN India introduces its Art Frames series designed for diverse applications, as aluminum profiles for framing the painted or printed canvas are perfect for retail spaces, hospitality industry, art galleries as well as homes since their lightweight design does not asphyxiate the painting or artwork by overwhelming it with its presence.

Metal frames such as aluminum are known for their strength despite being incredibly lightweight. With aluminum metal frames one can be rest assured that the material won’t bow, shatter or spilt. Another thing to bear in mind with aluminum frames is that they are remarkably affordable even when compared to wood! And despite being affordable, these frames in no way look cheap. One can expect some very professional finishes and a very classy look with aluminum frames…whether brushed, mirrored or polished.

The strength that comes with COSIGN Art Frame makes it a perfect choice for mounting large canvases that need slender support. It is also a good frame choice for artworks that are exposed to harsh environments such as extreme moisture or sunlight as it does not render itself to corrosion easily. Canvases stretched over aluminum are guaranteed to remain stable and straight irrespective of the size and the environment they are placed in. Along with this, aluminum frames also offer the ease to change the canvas. They are manufactured and recycled with equal ease leaving behind a low carbon footprint…something that should be considering today. Making a good choice on the final presentation of the artwork in question can impact the potential sale of the artwork. The artwork and the frame should ideally work together as one. The frame should never overpower the artwork by drawing the viewer’s attention from it but compliment the art in question.

Because of their understated elegance, aluminum frames are fast becoming the popular choice for art enthusiasts, galleries and museums alike. Clearly, when the marriage of the frame and the artwork is right, then both the parties sing. Take a look at COSIGN India’s recently launched Art Frames line and connect with the company to see how they can help bring artworks to life.


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