Project Review: Park Point, Milpitas, California

As a working artist I have the privilege of working with a plethora of important clients. My clientele includes private collectors, multinational corporations, real estate developers, restaurants, and art institutions. Occasionally my work brings me into contact with exceptional people like John Hamilton of Embarcadero Capital Properties LLC.

His partnership recently renovated a commercial development in the heart of Silicon Valley and was now looking for tenants. By installing my cameraless artworks in the public lobbies of the two buildings, it set the tone for innovation, creativity and excitement. These buildings are now fully occupied.

Left to right: Cyclamen Strauss (2007), Geranium robertianum (2008), Cyclamen Cream (2007)

Left to right: Green Maple (2006), Coreopsis (2005), and Whitel Clematis (2004)

These 96” dye-sublimation prints were made for beauty and durability in this public space. The dye-sublimation printing process begins with the image being printed onto a transfer paper via inkjet technology. Then, the paper is adhered to a sheet of pre-treated aluminum. Finally, it is put into a heat press where the temperatures reach between 350-400 degrees. While being subjected to extreme heat and pressure, the dyes from the transfer paper turn into a gas, are pressed into the surface of the metal, and then solidify into the treated aluminum. This is where the sublimation heat transfer occurs. Once out of the press, the aluminum cools and the process is complete. As the dyes cool, they are permanently infused beneath the surface of the metal substrate. 

The beauty of this technique is that it results in an extremely hard surface which is true to the original image yet resistant to abrasion and can be easily cleaned, making it the preferred process for public spaces.

Partners in art, Buelteman and Hamilton