When Clay Meets Architecture: Ben Medansky’s Sculptural Language at Proper Hotels

In the lobby of Downtown L.A. Proper, light moves across a wall like water over stone. Ben Medansky’s ceramic mural shifts throughout the day, breathing with the rhythm of morning coffee conversations and evening wind-down rituals. What began as inspiration drawn from saguaro cacti and tire treads on desert highways has evolved into something far more dynamic: a living architectural element that captures the pulse of the city itself.

This Downtown L.A. installation represents just one expression of Medansky’s ceramic vocabulary within the Proper Hotels family. At Santa Monica Proper, his work takes on a different character at Palma, where the intimate setting creates a more contemplative dialogue between his textural patterns and the restaurant’s coastal atmosphere.

Medansky’s journey with ceramics began in high school, where he first discovered the medium’s unique appeal. “What hooked me was the immediacy of clay. You can shape it with your hands and it responds right away,” he explains. After focusing on ceramics in college, he’s become captivated by what he calls the “sense of alchemy” inherent in the process. “Even when you think you know exactly how something will turn out, the kiln has its own ideas.”

From Small Objects to Monumental Art

For Medansky, ceramics represents a unique intersection between ancient craft and contemporary expression. “Clay is ancient, but it keeps teaching me something new,” he reflects. His journey from small-scale objects to monumental installations mirrors a broader evolution in how artists think about space and interaction.

The Downtown L.A. Proper commission marked a pivotal moment in this trajectory. “That mural was my first big commission, so it holds a special place for me,” Medansky explains. The forms were inspired by the patterns that quietly repeat across landscapes: saguaro cacti standing sentinel in the desert, the geometric grid of urban planning, rows of orange orchards stretching toward the horizon.

“I wanted to bring that sense of rhythm and structure into clay,” he says. “Once it went up in the Proper, the space did the rest.” His subsequent work at Santa Monica Proper’s Palma demonstrates how this same artistic vocabulary adapts to different environments. While the Downtown L.A. piece captures urban energy in an expansive lobby setting, the Palma installation creates intimacy within the space, where diners can appreciate the ceramic textures up close over cocktails and conversation.

Repetition and Rhythm in Clay

Medansky’s artistic vocabulary centers on repetition, structure, and the interplay of light and shadow. “Patterns feel a lot like music to me, only for the eye instead of the ear,” he describes. This musical quality becomes especially pronounced in the hotel environment, where guests move through spaces with different rhythms throughout the day.

Shadow functions as a collaborator in his work, “almost like another artist in the room, constantly changing the piece as the light shifts throughout the day and casting new tones and colors across the surface.” At Proper, this means the mural transforms from morning’s sharp contrasts to evening’s softer textures, creating an ever-evolving visual experience for guests.

The Artist’s Process

The process behind these monumental works embraces controlled spontaneity. Medansky describes himself as “kind of a Dadaist,” thriving on the unpredictability that comes with working in clay. “I lay all the tiles out on my floor and play with configurations, like assembling a giant jigsaw puzzle with multiple solutions.”

This approach reflects a deeper philosophy about creation and discovery. “Even when you think you know exactly how something will turn out, the kiln has its own ideas,” he notes. That mix of intention and surrender keeps the medium alive, ensuring each piece retains an element of surprise even for its creator.

The technical challenges of scaling up proved transformative. “The clay itself was the challenge. It shrinks, cracks, and wants to do its own thing, and I had to invent new systems to get it to work at that scale.” Yet these obstacles led to revelations about how his artistic language translates to architectural dimensions.

Art That Transforms Space

Medansky’s work exists at the intersection of sculpture, architecture, and design, but his primary concern remains human interaction. “For me it’s about creating environments, not just objects,” he emphasizes. “Texture is huge. Even if someone doesn’t physically touch the piece, their eyes move across the ridges and shadows.”

This philosophy aligns perfectly with Proper’s approach to hospitality, where every element contributes to a larger experiential narrative. The ceramic installation doesn’t simply decorate the space; it actively participates in the daily rhythms of hotel life, responding to and enhancing the atmosphere as guests move through their routines.

“I like work that pulls people in, even if they are just passing by,” Medansky says. In a hotel setting, this translates to moments of unexpected discovery, where a trip to the lobby becomes an encounter with art that shifts perception, if only briefly.

The Impact on Hotel Guests

When asked what he hopes people feel when encountering his work, Medansky’s answer reveals the deeper intention behind his practice: “I hope they slow down for a second. The world moves fast, but clay holds time: fire, fingerprints, gravity. If someone feels a moment of curiosity or stillness when they see it, that’s enough.”

This aspiration speaks to art’s capacity to create pause within the acceleration of modern life. At Proper, where the goal is to offer respite and restoration, Medansky’s work provides a visual anchor, a reminder of the elemental processes that shape both landscape and human experience.

The expansion of his ceramic vocabulary into architectural scale revealed new possibilities. “The patterns felt monumental, and the light and shadow turned the wall into something much bigger than what I made in the studio.” This transformation from studio experiment to public installation demonstrates how context can amplify artistic intention, creating meaning that extends beyond the original conception.

Art and Hospitality

As Medansky continues to explore the intersection of ceramics and architecture, his work at Proper Hotels represents more than decoration or even art installation. It exemplifies a new model for how contemporary artists can collaborate with hospitality spaces to create environments that nourish both aesthetic sensibility and human well-being.

This relationship between artist and venue came full circle on July 29, when Proper Hotels invited Medansky for a Proper Presents evening of conversation and celebration. The event brought together guests to discuss his artistic process and the sweeping ivory-toned terracotta mural that defines the iconic pool space where his weaving of LA’s industrial textures creates what he calls “an organic, lyrical tapestry that brings the space to life.”

The success of this integration suggests broader possibilities for how hotels can function as platforms for artistic expression, supporting both emerging artists and enhancing guest experience through thoughtful curation, demonstrating how these collaborations extend beyond static installations to create ongoing cultural dialogue within the hotel environment. In Medansky’s hands, clay becomes a medium for architectural storytelling, transforming walls into breathing surfaces that respond to light, time, and human presence.

His ceramic installations remind us that luxury can be measured not just in thread count or service efficiency, but in the quality of pause, the depth of visual texture, and the subtle ways that environment shapes experience. At Proper, art isn’t an amenity but an integral part of the narrative, woven into the daily rhythms of modern hospitality.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Where can I see Ben Medansky’s work at Proper Hotels?

Ben Medansky has ceramic murals at two Proper Hotel locations: a large installation in the lobby of Downtown L.A. Proper, and another piece in the back bar of Palma restaurant at Santa Monica Proper. Both installations showcase how natural light interacts with his textural ceramic work throughout the day.

What materials does Ben Medansky use in his large-scale installations?

Ben Medansky works primarily with ceramic tiles, creating custom glazes and textures that respond to architectural lighting. Each piece is fired in kilns and assembled on-site to create monumental wall installations.

Does Proper Hotels host events with the featured artists?

Yes, Proper Hotels regularly hosts cultural programming through their Proper Presents series. 

Are events open to non-hotel guests?

Yes, events are open to the public. However, RSVP is not guaranteed unless you reserve a table or have a hotel booking. Hotel guests and those with the Proper Presents package receive guaranteed access and special amenities.

How can I stay updated on upcoming events?

Visit the Proper Presents page to see events across all locations for local events. You can also subscribe to Proper Insider for notifications about upcoming performances.

How can I book tickets for events?

Ticket information is available on the Proper Hotels website as each event is announced.