Contract Textile International

Camouflage Collection By Arte

Volume 2 / May-August 2010

"Renewal is in the air"

CAMOUFLAGE COLLECTION BY ARTE

Arte makes homes more beautiful. Ever since its foundation in 1981 Arte has been known for its passion for beautiful wallcoverings which are varied in style. From the most sumptuous classic interiors to minimalism of avant-grade interiors Arte has a wide range of refined products for all tastes.

Arte never suffers from a lack of inspiration. Even though the dark clouds of crisis obstruct the financial horizon, the demand for attractive products continues to grow. Or maybe it’s because of the crisis, rather than in spite of it. Even when economic times are difficult, people still want pleasant surroundings and atmosphere. At home, of course, but also in the restaurants we frequent, in shops and hotels, and elsewhere.

We find the same trend in the world of fashion, as well, where people look with anticipation towards new lines and colors. That is itself is a positive sign. It shows that we are not surrendering to the defeatism of the Cassandras, though others, all around us, may be.

The Arte collection that we are presenting here is called ‘Camouflage’. The designer became fascinated by the moiré effect and experimented with it until he achieved a satisfactory result. Moiré is a French term that refers to a particular type of silk with a characteristic wave pattern. Moiré occurs when two lines – or, in the case of textiles, threads – are lying on top of and underneath each other, but not at the same angle. On old TV screens, it could be seen if someone was wearing a pinstriped suit, for example. In that case, the moiré effect was caused by the lines of the suit not being parallel with the lines of the screen. The TV image then appeared to shimmer. Intentional moiré was also popular when Op Art was in its heyday and the artist was trying to achieve a particular optical effect. Victor Vasarely, for one, was a master in the technique.

Faux uni

Each of the references from the Camouflage collection plays with the moiré effect, which can have a completely different result, depending on the choice of colors. It is still a faux uni, but not static one. There is life in it. Even if one tries for a particular shade, one always gets that unique, water-like wave effect in it. The rhythm is constantly changing, which is what makes Camouflage so unique. Nothing is what it appears to be. Nothing appears to be what it is.

Daring, but stylish

Camouflage loves to flirt with architecture, being static and in motion at the same time. It therefore also blends perfectly in a nearly cubist or surrealist interior. The color palette looks ‘expensive’, comprising only soft, warm shades, such as sand and rusty earth tones, a warm Bordeaux red and a pitch black. The lighter shades have a very unique beading grey and silvery white. All of the shades have a subtle gloss which can sometimes appear more pronounced depending on the color and the fall of the light. It’s daring, but quite stylish.

What was visible becomes unseen. One moment there, the next gone.

Camouflage is confusion. Organisms disappear into the surroundings, predators are tricked, preys survive…

Camouflage is life. Colors blend, shades conceal, patterns emerge… Camouflage is art.

The moiré effect of this wallcovering tricks the spectator, just like the razzle-dazzle camouflage on the Second World War ships and intricate patterns of the sixties op art.

An optical illusion tempts your eyes to witness what is not there. Take a close look at distance, size and speed. Never before, your covered walls moved like this.

Camouflage Exclusive moiré textile wallcovering on non-woven backing (Trevira CS)

Width: 130 cm (51.18”)

Sold by cut length

Camouflage comes in 18 different color references.