ART

FORTY FIVE TEN COMMISSIONS IMMERSIVE ART INSTALLATION FROM ARTIST KATHERINE BERNHARDT

WORDS

by KRISTOPHER FRASER

PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY of MODE PR

Katherine Bernhardt has brought a taste of Brooklyn to Dallas, Texas. The Brooklyn-based artist was commissioned by luxury retailer Forty Five Ten to develop and install a painting adorning the walls of No Aloha, located on the first floor of Forty Five Ten’s 37,000-square-foot , three-floor retail space.

Bernhardt’s inspiration for the installation was “tropical crack house,” Puerto Rico style, crazy colors, and Keith Haring. Described as maximalism to the fullest, Bernhardt sought to create something alive and happy. Bernhardt wanted to create a space that would make customers happy when they see it and overwhelm them with color.

Bernhardt became involved with the project when she met Joe Cole, who is a collector of her work, and he asked her to do it. Bernhardt’s immersive art installation in No Aloha joins the collection of world-class art placed throughout the building — including works by Tracey Emin, Juergen Teller, and Greg Bogin. Bernhardt is known for her colorful works in acrylic and spray paint, and spent five days painting this site-specific installation.

“It’s fun to work on spaces like this that are intertwined with a café and a store and other artists,” Bernhardt said. “Collaborations between artists and fashion have become bigger than ever because it’s a way of branding and using brands to make art with artists.”

Bernhardt had her share of challenges in creating this project, including painting walls so high, which required her to use a crane to reach the top. “It was overwhelming at first, but I had a great assistant that helped me a lot. It was a lot of fun too,” Bernhardt said.

“Collaborations between artists and fashion have become bigger than ever because it’s a way of branding and using brands to make art with artists.”

–Katherine Bernhardt–

Bernhardt had her share of challenges in creating this project, including painting walls so high, which required her to use a crane to reach the top. “It was overwhelming at first, but I had a great assistant that helped me a lot. It was a lot of fun too,” Bernhardt said.

The artist is no stranger to fashion collaborations either. She’s worked with Chanel and Miss Sixty for other fashion related projects, and there was a huge series of supermodel painting she did ten years ago. For Chanel she made a limited-edition print and installation for their store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. For Miss Sixty she made a huge wall painting that was the main focus of the store.

Bernhardt noted that despite her past fashion collaborations, this project was much different from things she has done in the past. “This is the most surround room that I’ve ever painted, and definitely the tallest space, and its being used as a cafe so it’s a live active space!” Bernhardt said. “And I love the name of the Cafe 'No Aloha.’ The title of my installation is "NO blue Orchids". The space is covered in blue orchids. I’m hoping that they make a matcha latte called the NO Blue Orchid!”

The cafe’s menu is as eclectic as the setting, with a savory and sweet assortment of coffees, teas, pastries, soups, and snacks, and boasts a wine list curated to complement the outdoor patio.

Katherine Bernhardt Forty Five Ten Installation

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