The inspiration for The Moiré Collection and the basis for the collection was inspired by Artist Gabriel Dawe’s work, where miles of colorful threads are configured into forms that result in unique planes of depth, filled with rays of light. Moiré is described as a wavy or rippled textured effect where sets of lines or dots are superimposed upon one another creating sets of patterns differing in size and spacing. Dawe’s art installations are made of a succession and criss-crossing of lines that shift in space, which create wonderful and playful sights where viewers are able to see and experience three-dimensionally. Dawe took this same idea and translated it into a two-dimensional image using a combination of layers of lines and his signature full spectrum of colors.
Dawe was born in Mexico City. As a child, Dawe was encouraged by his mother to express himself creatively by drawing and painting. Growing up, he spent time visiting museums in Mexico City with the Museo de Arte Moderno and Centro Cultural de Arte Contemporáneo being standouts. Here, he was introduced to the work of artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and one of his personal favorites, the Mexican surrealist painter, Rufino Tamayo. Later important artistic influences also included Andy Warhol and James Turrell.
He went on to study graphic design at the Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, Mexico. This program provided him with a strong training in design as well as a foundation for the arts. He moved to Montreal, Canada and took a job at a small design studio. The desire to express himself creatively and to explore the possibilities outside of design led him to become an artist. Roby Isaac, vice president of design for Mannington Commercial, approached Gabriel Dawe regarding the possibility of a collaboration and developing a collection of floorcovering. Given that Dawe had not designed product previously, he jumped at the chance to work with Mannington. The formalized product, The Moiré Collection, consisting of three patterns of modular plank and one pattern of broadloom, is the result of this design effort.
Dawe commented about his work with Mannington Commercial: “Overall, it has been a fantastic experience,” said Dawe. “I didn’t expect it to be so authentic. It is like peeking into one of my installations and seeing it translated as a floorcovering.” Dawe said that even though The Moiré Collection is intended for high traffic commercial environments, he hopes to take a section of broadloom (from Visible Light pattern) and transform it into a rug for his own living room.
Roby Isaac added, “Translating a world-renowned artist’s vision into a functional floorcovering has been a challenge that Mannington eagerly embraced. As designers, the idea of channeling Dawe’s complex and intricate creations into something tactile was an incredible undertaking. We were thrilled that he was keen to collaborate with Mannington and to understand what we, as a brand, were hoping to achieve.” The challenge of creating linear layers and bands of colors in modular plank and broadloom applications in The Moiré Collection, made possible from a high luster Antron Legacy yarn system, adds an element of dimensionality in a floor covering that is unrivaled.
For more information, visit www.manningtoncommercial.com.
