Bahâ’ (بهاء) is one of the many Arabic words that describe beauty, specifically beauty that dazzles the eyes, “magnificence, splendor, radiance”.
The design took the shape of a traditional geometric pattern, to which I added dimension by means of layers and by revealing the grid on which the pattern is constructed. This grid, in white, seems to emerge from the surface of the white wall and crystallize into the vivid design; it adds complexity without interfering visually, since it is defined mostly by its own shadows. Gold leaf of the highest carat was used for its unmatched rich yellow colour, while the pink lettering is coated in interference medium so that it shimmers purple depending on the light.
Creation process:
The smaller pieces were laser-cut in mount board. One layer to be gilded or painted…
.. the other to be painted white.
The frame was cut in wood, assembled and primed.
Assembling the white layer on the frame.
The whole thing was then painted with a few layers of white.
Having settled on pink and gold (my initial impulse) and wanting a better yellow than metal leaf offered, I settled for real gold of the highest carat, with homemade gum ammonia as mordant.
168 “happy people” (actually the letters) to peel and paint…
Applying a pearlescent pink colour then purple interference colour to each piece.
Finally, assembling with the gilded squares, and then on the background.