New Art Perks Up an Old Hamptons House – Artist Cole Sternberg and the “Arted House”

Let’s get the weird title out of the way. It’s “arted” (because it’s full of art) instead of “haunted” (because it’s full of ghosts), although owner Bryan Graybill thinks there might be a few arful spirits lurking about the charming Sagaponack cottage he and a friend bought to renovate.

But before the eventual rental or sale of the house, Bryan approached L.A. artist Cole Sternberg about doing an art installation here over the summer. The work will be up at least through this weekend. Info below.

Judging from the width of the floorboards, it is quite an old house. I painted my toenails red and wore these sandals so I could hide in a cherry tree should the need arise. So far it hasn’t, but it gives you an idea about the floorboards.

I love the sign on Cole’s bedroom door, which I did not dare peek in. Don’t mess with messidence, I say.

“It’s fun to be able to take over a house and do something a bit more unusual,” says Cole.

It’s also fun to see how contemporary art of varying content and scale can look so at home in a modest and simple house, Hamptons pricetag notwithstanding. I love how they’ve re-finished the floors, stripped and pickled (?) the doors and trim, brightened the walls with fresh white, and painted the old radiators silver.

Cole frequently uses the phrase “one day,” which, like his art, speaks to his hope and fear for the future of our environment. “One day” appears in neon by the front door, screen printed on a table and tote bags, and on wallpaper he had custom made by Black Crow Studios in L.A. (a great resource, btw, for custom wallpaper panels or canvases).

In the tradition of Hamptons artists, Cole used a barn as his studio. He says he is inspired and greatly influenced by the work of acclaimed Hamptons artist the late Ray Johnson. Here is a link to Johnson’s estate, with many of his drawings and collages–and echoes of Cole’s work. I see glimpses of Cy Twombly, too, and Robert Rauschenberg. What do you see?

In addition to painting, Cole’s oeuvre includes a limited edition of tote bags made of sailcloth with rope handles. Indestructible.

… and furniture. Here is a close-up of his screen-printed table, an idea you might be able to translate at home with a favorite phrase or saying? Something like, I will not write on the furniture. I will not write on the furniture. I will not write not write on the furniture…

For more information, or to visit the house, contact Bryan Graybill at bryan@mrgatsbys.com.

For more information on the artist or the art, you can go straight to the source, — here.

As ever, I post for love. No goods, services, blood money or small farm animals were exchanged for this post.