Edward Gorey

Posted: 11.18.2009 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: Bold Design, General, Interns, Karli Hendrickson, Patterns, Unique Spaces, Wallpaper History, Wallpaper/Fine Art, Walls | 1 Comment »

Cavern intern Karli Hendrickson is back from her road trip- but still traveling!  She just went to Cape Cod, where she spent some time at the Edward Gorey House.

Karli writes:

“Edward Gorey was an illustrator famous for his breadth of work from children’s books, to the animated introduction of Mystery on Masterpiece Theater, to the set design for the Broadway play Edward Gorey’s Dracula. Hanging in the Edward Gorey House Museum in Yarmouth, Cape Cod is a sample of wall covering he created.

The wallpaper features the silhouette of a lady standing on the back of a bat over a silver metallic moiré background. A moiré pattern is formed when two grids are overlaid at an angle, which makes the appearance of rippling water.

There is an illusion in this paper, which makes it particularly captivating. Because the paper has a complex metallic base and matte ink print, it appears differently depending on the lighting and angle at which it is viewed. When the lights are out and you look straight on at the paper the bats come forward in the pattern and the white lady silhouettes almost disappear. When you flip the lights back on or walk to a 45-degree angle the ladies are visible once again. It is a dramatic illusion in a 3 foot sample of the pattern. I can only imagine the effect in an entire room.”

Thanks for the write-up Karli! And for these Gorey illustrations, which I love.

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