A tribute to IBM at BRiC’s Lakeside Patio, the transformation of the former IBM research campus … [+]
In their quest to lure employees back to the offices they abandoned during Covid, office building owners and employers have tried everything from ping pong and pool tables to mixed lunches and free beer. Lately, another bet has been made, capitalizing on the emerging idea that office workers will be more likely to return to offices adorned with art objects. Real estate companies across the country have commissioned art curators and creative directors to help them create art-filled public environments that are beautiful and invigorating enough to convince workers to embrace commuting to the office again.
One of the best examples of this trend is the 1.7 million square foot BRiC (Boca Raton Innovation Campus) in Boca Raton, Florida, where the meeting of art and technology is intended to spark creativity . CP Group, the developer that transformed the former IBM research campus into BRiC, installed several facets of public art in the setting. A traveling exhibit called Art on BRiC Walls features a symbolic, non-fungible exhibit and also features “Rocket,” a 30-foot-tall stainless steel outdoor artwork. Lynn University, Florida Atlantic University, the Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Palm Beach County Watercolor Society are among the partners who have loaned works for exhibitions. More than a dozen art and technology exhibits featuring more than 300 works of art are on display.
“The CP Group and more specifically the Boca Raton Innovation Campus aim to integrate art into the ecosystem of our buildings,” explains Virginia Tobeason, the art curator hired by the CP Group to manage its exhibitions and collections nationwide.
“We highlight local talent sources in our vibrant artistic communities. Through collaborations with area museums, schools, colleges and arts organizations, we cultivate a creative atmosphere that supports our community and energizes the workplace for our tenants and their visitors.
Artistic strategy
Art is a priority in all of The Related Group’s projects, including apartment buildings and condominium properties, as well as at its Miami headquarters.
The company’s artistic strategy calls for a blend of art and architecture and is supported by a strong commission-based art initiative. Providing large-scale art installations to the public has become emblematic of the real estate and lifestyle development business.
Patricia Hanna, Creative Director of Related Group, says, “When selecting artwork for Related Group’s Miami headquarters, I felt it was important to choose pieces that my colleagues could relate to. identify. Each workspace in the office houses a work of art.
“Some works focus on urban scenes, landscapes or architecture, while others serve to start a conversation between colleagues or provoke a question. We also rotate works quite often at our headquarters so people can experience different aspects of the collection. Funny enough, I often hear colleagues say that they became so attached to or enjoyed certain pieces that they are shocked when [they are] missing from their daily journey to the office. In my eyes, this is a sign of success and encourages me to carefully choose his next collection of works.
A resounding success
Some buildings are works of art in themselves and therefore all the more worthy of inclusion in fine arts programs. A shining example is Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey, the Bell Labs headquarters designed by Eero Saarinen in the late 1950s.
The vision of lead designer and creative director of Bell Works, Paola Zamudio, led the campus to exhibit works by international artists. They include “Cloud of Petals” by Sarah Meyohas, “Future Relic” by Daniel Arsham and “Artificial Intelligence” by Emilio Chapela. “As soon as I walked into Bell Works, I knew I had to find a way to celebrate the history and future of this incredible building,” Zamudio says.
“Through various collaborations with like-minded creatives, such as Sarah Meyohas, Daniel Arsham, Emilio Chapela, Ron Arad and Sébastien Courty, I have found a way to express my vision for Bell Works through art. Together we created the canvas on which people paint a picture of their daily lives.