4 questions to Nik Mirus, the artist behind Hotel Le Germain Montreal’s work of art

Nik Mirus is the artist Germain Hôtels has chosen to create an original work of art for the Hotel Le Germain Montreal. We loved his way of working with colors, transparency and different materials. We asked some questions to this Canadian photographer who had the task of adding a touch of oomph in an already sublime decor.

WHAT WERE YOUR INSPIRATIONS FOR THIS PIECE OF ART?

Before I even visited the hotel, I began researching works of art from the 60s. I was especially inspired by graphic design: the idea of putting colors on top of one another, to play with transparency, round shapes and circular elements. I was also inspired by works of art in the subway, as in Lionel Groulx, Peel, Villa-Maria stations. [Montreal's métro and works of art were built and inaugurated in the sixties.]

A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE VISITED THE SITE OF THE HOTEL LE GERMAIN MONTREAL TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHILE THE ROOMS WERE FAR FROM READY. WHAT DID YOU SAY TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAME OUT OF THIS VISIT?

It was interesting. I saw all the design elements in the rooms: the textures, the lines, the light color of the wood, the white lights. I saw some round elements on the walls, the furniture. I understood that it was the opportunity to add a color element in the room.

HOW DID YOU CREATED YOUR WORK OF ART?

I started with sketches and then I made Photoshop renderings. It is a project of colors so the possibilities were endless. I did many tests, went through a lot of trial and error before I finally settled on a color combination that I liked. The work is actually a photo. I glued some pieces of wood that I cut and painted myself on a Plexiglas plate. Then I took a slow exposure photo on a moving vertical axis to create the transparency effect. I really liked the technique of this project; I hope to develop this more in the future.

FINALLY, DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE FITTED PERFECTLY WITH THIS PROJECT?

My work is on the edge of graphic design and photography. It's bold, minimalist. The lines are straight, clean. Each element must have its purpose, not be superfluous. I do not go out much taking pictures, I prefer to work in the studio. That's why I think we were a very good fit.