30 May, 2024
The David Geffen Hall, located at Lincoln Center in New York, has recently undergone a significant renovation that included an artistic intervention with large-format tesserae of antique gold mosaics by Orsoni. This intervention is part of a broader renovation project aimed at enhancing both the aesthetics and acoustics of the hall. The gold mosaics, used in various areas of the hall, add a touch of luxury and refinement, creating a visual contrast with other materials and providing a unique luminosity to the spaces.
The mosaic was created by the Orsoni furnace in Venice using white gold leaf paired with amber glass, typical of antique gold, to decorate the staircase walls, creating an extraordinary visual impact. For this unique project, the tesserae were laid in a front-back manner, giving the walls a shading effect that changes with the lighting of the space. The warm color of the antique glass on the back of the tesserae gives the white gold leaf surprising and novel shades.
The use of antique gold in the staircase decoration not only adds an element of prestige but also recalls classical artistic tradition, perfectly integrating with the modern architecture of the Geffen Hall. Each white gold mosaic tessera features its own texture on the surface, the result of an ancient artisanal process that adds a uniquely Venetian touch to the David Geffen Hall. For this project, Orsoni handcrafted over 250 square meters of 8×8 cm tesserae in antique white gold that adorn the staircase walls.
The renovation of the David Geffen Hall, completed in 2022, included significant acoustic improvements, making the hall not only visually extraordinary but also functionally suitable for high-level musical performances. This artistic intervention is part of the efforts to maintain the Geffen Hall as one of New York’s premier cultural destinations.
CREDITS
Design
Tod Williams, Billie Tsien Architects
Thank to
Atlantic Exterior Wall Systems
Photo
Trend Group
Todd Heisler/The New York Times
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