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THE MASTER BEHIND THE FRAMING AT DARE COLLECTIVE

At Dare Collective, we take pride in the added value we offer through the handcrafted production of frames used to display our artists’ works. Marc, a crucial collaborator in our collective, adds the final touch to each piece, transforming them into unique and meticulously crafted works of art. With 36 years of experience in the craft, Marc has witnessed the evolution of the framing process, always remaining true to the values of care and personalized attention.

INSTAGRAM

Our commitment to quality and attention to detail is reflected in every step of the process, from the selection of materials to the personalized adaptation of each frame to complement the artwork it houses. We prioritize artisanal work over industrialized practices, ensuring that each piece receives the treatment and dedication it deserves. This philosophy extends to our collaborations with artists, where care and respect for their creations are paramount.

CARE AND LOVE
Care and dedication were two words that resonated with us after our interview with Marc. An important ally in Dare Collective, he is responsible, as he himself says, for giving the final touch to the artworks of the various artists who are part of this collective. On August 9, 1954, in Barcelona, Marc’s grandparents and his father, who was 14 years old at the time, embarked on creating this business that has evolved and grown significantly, yet continues to preserve such an important value as CARE AND LOVE IN FINISHING THE WORKS.
The framing business began in 1954 when his grandfather decided to become independent and open his own business dedicated to it, and it continues to this day. Marc’s grandfather’s background was fundamental to the foundation of this business, as he had worked in the framing sector in one of the most important stores in Barcelona dedicated to it. Together with his wife and son (Marc’s father), they decided to start paving their own way in the industry. Although the framing shop is now located in a different place from its origin, it is currently located on Valencia Street, in the Eixample neighborhood. Since 1991, it has been home to CONTELL Marcs, currently run by Marc, our friend and ally, in the framing shop that this August celebrates 70 years since its foundation and has managed to overcome adversities, ups, and downs.

Marc has been managing and making frames since 1988, practicing the craft for 36 years. He has witnessed how the practice of framing has evolved, not unfamiliar with the modernization that comes with mechanization of processes, as a result of the introduction of machinery to speed them up. Previously, a matting process could take up to 15 minutes to do manually, whereas today this process can take about 2 minutes.

Marc recognizes the benefits that mechanization of processes can provide, but his principles and values remain the same. Preserving the essence remains a priority, helping the client choose their frame and ensuring their satisfaction when they take the final product. Additionally, he values the care given to the works he frames.

The value of framed pictures, in this case, framed works, gained great relevance in the 90s. Marc tells us the anecdote of how, after the boom of the Olympics Games held in Barcelona in 1992, the demand for framing increased, especially from the interior design and hotel industries. The creation of new hotels and buildings left many empty spaces that needed to be filled, and what better way to give life and prominence to those spaces than with artworks. In the field of interior design, the power that a painting can have on the walls is recognized.

FROM IDEA TO FINISH WORK
Today, besides growing and evolving the business, Marc has always maintained the value of CARE. He emphasizes the artisanal work, which for him carries much more weight than massively industrialized practices. Despite relying on machinery, it does not characterize his practice. What stands out is the personalization, where manual and slower work prevails. Each work is personalized individually: a frame is adjusted for the piece, a glass is fitted, and all this is treated with the same care for each piece, leaving aside hyper-industrialized dynamics where everything becomes very impersonal.

Care is one of the values that takes even more prominence when we talk about the collective of ARTISTS. This collective proposes many challenges for the framer, challenges that have built one of Marc’s essential values when receiving a work for framing. He defines it as his added value and what characterizes his framing shop. Marc understands and explains to us how, when framing something from artists, you must treat it as if it were your own work, because they cherish them with the same love.

“It is the great advantage and disadvantage of working with artists, as it requires superior care. You work with creations that carry a lot of effort in each piece, and you have to try to be up to the task with the care and help to beautify the piece. It is our added value because we accept that challenge and carry it out in the best possible way.”

Dare Collective and CONTELL Marcs have joined forces, presenting Marc with a proposal that excited him.
“Seeing how this sector of art continues to have demand and need, and being such a beautiful project, I felt very close to helping launch the idea. There was an initial, authentic, and real chemistry, especially after the pandemic.”
The process for making the frames is a natural extension of Dare Collective. Once someone acquires a work from Dare Collective and wants it framed, the process does not end there. We count on Marc to continue this process.

“If you send a work to be framed in a place with more industrialized processes, where frames are standard and without personalization, the added value that we can offer is lost. The ‘final suit’ that we give to each piece is unique, adding to the care and love that each artist has already put into their work.”

For Marc, reflection brings with it a deep-rooted fear regarding the exercise of the framing practice. Although he firmly believes that there will always be people who need custom and personalized framed works, he cannot avoid worrying about the impact of industrialization and the contemporary convenience of acquiring pre-set and standardized frames. This paradigm shift raises doubts about the sustainability of such a complex structure in modern times, where simpler alternatives are increasingly attractive.
However, during our conversation, Marc and we could understand that there is still a strong appreciation for this practice in certain communities. For example, the artist community highly values framing, considering it an extension of their work and an integral part of their identity. Photographers, on the other hand, show exquisite sensitivity to details such as matting, colors, and frame formats. Even architects seek framing that enhances but does not overpower the piece in question. Additionally, there are groups that deeply focus on the aesthetics of the frames.

Marc is the best ally for Dare Collective due to his vast experience and dedication to detail in artisanal framing. With 36 years in the craft, he has perfected the skill of transforming each work into a unique and meticulously crafted piece. His personalized approach and commitment to quality ensure that each frame perfectly complements the artwork it houses. He has witnessed the evolution of framing, balancing modernization with the preservation of traditional techniques. This balance is crucial for Dare Collective’s interior design projects and online sales, where personalization and care in each piece are essential. His ability to work closely with artists and his meticulous attention to detail ensure that each work is framed with the same love and care with which it was created.

Thanks to him, Dare Collective offers an incomparable added value, merging craftsmanship and personalized attention to provide frames that enhance and respect the original vision of each artist.