Question: I have a tall, narrow marble sculpture that stands in a corner, near windows. The lower portion is a pedestal and the top depicts a couple dancing.

My walls are off-white and I have Hunter Douglas silhouette blinds. The carpet is light taupe. The back of the pedestal is connected to the wall, for earthquake safety. How can I enhance the look of this artistic piece?

Dixie Storkman, Palo Alto

Answer: Whether it's sculpture or paintings, art adds elegance, grace and beauty to one's living space and sanctuary. When looking at the room, you want your eye to easily find the piece and come to rest on it. And, by making each large piece a focal point, you create a way to more fully appreciate it.

Adding lighting that highlights the area is the most obvious recommendation.

You don't want to create an overall lighting effect and wash out the piece, so use a light that's intense but focused. It shouldn't spill onto the walls around the piece. A recessed halogen spotlight placed discreetly in the ceiling that can be aimed directly at the sculpture would be the best choice.

But often lighting alone isn't enough, especially when the piece is in the corner of a large room. This is when the combination of lighting and plants to make a "tableaux" with the art is called for.

While the pedestal itself is attractive, it isn't what the artist wanted you to look at when the piece was conceived. Large green plants in the area you want to focus on add a natural element against which you can juxtapose the imitation of life in the marble piece.

Because your sculpture is in the corner with windows, it gives you a perfect situation in which plants can thrive. I suggest plants that come just to the height of the top of the pedestal, so the figures can rise above the greenery.

Put the plants on both sides and in front of the pedestal. It will appear that your dancing couple are in their own world, oblivious to the cares beyond.

This is probably what the artist had in mind.

When visiting museums, you will notice the wall behind the art is painted so the art doesn't disappear into the background and your eye can focus on it.

Notice that your sculpture is a white marble and is hard to differentiate against the white walls of the room. If it's at all possible, paint the walls a different color so the piece has a background against which it can be seen. Even a version of beige will help the piece stand out more.

Think of art as what you want to see first in a room and do what it takes to make it say "See me, I'm beautiful!"

 

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