Cascading Creativity: Diamond Dream Reflects Innovation and Inclusion
When JRM Construction Management sought to enhance their NYC headquarters with an impactful art installation, they turned to ArtLifting to create an accessible professional experience for a disabled artist. Together, they brought Diamond Dream to life — a striking, light-reflecting installation by Eliza Redmann that transforms a stairwell into a vibrant, dynamic environment.
"Because my story is one of resilience and overcoming misfortune, I seek to give permission and hope to others so they may also rise above their circumstances and claim their dreams."
- Eliza Redmann, ArtLifting artist
Accessible Collaboration for Impactful Results
The ArtLifting team played a pivotal role in every step of the design process to ensure an accessible and rewarding experience for Eliza and JRM. From proposing Eliza as the artist collaborator, working with the team at Gensler, and coordinating fabrication and installation, the ArtLifting team ensured the project aligned with JRM’s vision while preserving Eliza’s artistic freedom.
The design for Diamond Dream originated from Eliza’s experiments with folded patterns in paper, which she translated into gold acrylic pyramids for this site-specific installation. The cascading arrangement of the 140 gold 3-D diamonds mirrors the motion of people descending the staircase, while the reflective surfaces amplify light to brighten the space.
"This free-mounted sculptural installation activates a stairwell space deep within a corporate headquarters. Using folded gold sheet acrylic, it refracts light into countless directions, bringing life to an interior that receives no natural daylight."
- Eliza Redmann, ArtLifting artist
Eliza was deeply involved in the design process, collaborating with ArtLifting, JRM, and fabricators to ensure her vision was brought to life. Eliza participated in planning calls, created concept boards, and helped to present her work to the client. With coaching and support from the ArtLifting team Eliza enjoyed a rewarding and financially impactful professional experience.
"Working with JRM Construction and Eliza Redmann on this commission has been an inspiring collaboration. At ArtLifting, we believe in creating accessible opportunities for artists with disabilities to shine in professional settings, and this project embodies that mission.
Together, we’ve fostered an inclusive design process that empowered Eliza to contribute her unique vision at every stage, transforming the corporate environment into a canvas for creativity and impact. It’s partnerships like this that demonstrate the power of art to connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change."
- Elliott Taylor, Creative Director, ArtLifting
Empowering Art Rooted in Resilience
For JRM, partnering with ArtLifting was a deliberate choice to support underrepresented voices. By commissioning Eliza, they gained a one-of-a-kind art installation that empowered a working artist whose practice is deeply informed by her architectural career and experience living with a traumatic brain injury.
Eliza’s artistic journey began after her career as an architect was derailed by a serious car accident in 2018. Living with persistent pain, visual disturbances, and auditory sensitivity, Eliza turned to art as a way to heal and adapt. Her work is informed by her unique perspective on patterns and disorientation, creating visual experiences that challenge conventional perceptions.
"I seek to capture the structure of regular patterns and shapes, while adding a layer of geometric information which the eyes and brain can't quite make sense of. This disorientation is designed to challenge viewers, just as I must now live, adapt, and navigate the world in new ways."
- Eliza Redmann, ArtLifting artist
For Eliza, the project is a milestone in her career, demonstrating how her architectural training and personal experiences can intersect to create meaningful art installations. The commission also reflects her commitment to advocating for accessible, functional design.
By commissioning Eliza to create Diamond Dream, JRM and ArtLifting created a visually stunning addition to their headquarters and elevated the voice of an artist whose work is rooted in resilience and innovation. Additionally, the collaboration created an accessible economic opportunity for Eliza to fully participate in a corporate commission – a dynamic process that can be challenging for an individual artist to manage without a support team.
This partnership exemplifies the transformative power of inclusive art in corporate spaces, creating opportunities for talented artists with disabilities to share their stories while leaving a lasting impact on all who experience their work.