According to artistic director and partner Glen Wilks, Bermuda's newest beauty venture is neither one nor the other, but both and more.

" `Experience' is the key word for us,'' Mr. Wilks explains. "We don't want to just offer a service, we want people to have an experience here.'' Indeed, such is the quality and quantity of art on the vibrant walls, that the usual accoutrements of a hair dressing business are almost understated.

When Mr. Wilks and his business partner, Arnold (Donnie) Francis, Jr., first conceived the idea of opening a business with a difference some years ago, they knew one thing for certain: it should not be one-dimensional.

It took time for the longtime friends to find the ideal site and crystallise the dreams that became reality last weekend when Kafu's glass doors swung open at No. 6 Parliament Street. From the response thus far, the duo feel they have indeed created something new and unique on the Island.

"One of our main focuses is to tap into the mind, body and soul via the five senses,'' Mr. Wilks explains of the venture. "`When Donny and I decided to do this, we felt the best way was to create an environment that not only looks beautiful, but also is where people can feel beautiful, and hear beautiful sounds.'' Unlike most salons, where the walls are bland-to-insignificant, Kafu's walls literally sing with colour: a flowing palette of apricot, mango, and deepest terra cotta -- except in the shampoo, or Zen, room, where Woolfworks has created a gentle, mottled cerulean blue backdrop.

A salon with an artistic difference "It's like going to heaven but you haven't died. There is a soothing feeling,'' Mr. Wilks suggests of the latter.

In respect of the other walls, the professional artist admits that inspiration for his colour scheme stems from a visit to Mexico. While admitting that the concept is unusual in the Bermuda context, he says: "I don't think walls are different from a painting. The colours are not accidental, they have been chosen for their therapeutic value, and they give a certain aura. The styling room, for example, has warmer colours because it is more engaging, and the therapy room has different colours again.'' In terms of showing off the art, the walls literally make the paintings pop out at the viewer, which is always the desired effect.

With regard to the gallery aspect, Mr. Wilks says its purpose it to stimulate and inspire people of all ages.

"The art creates an environment which people who would not necessarily go to the galleries and museums can experience,'' Mr. Wilks says. "I think people should incorporate art into their daily lives. It is a very spiritual thing which allows you to take journeys of the mind every day.

"People don't just want to sit at a computer all day. When they look up they see art on office walls, so why not at the hairdresser's?'' The present exhibition includes works by contemporary Bermuda artists Caroline Troncossi, Manuel Palacio, Dan Dempster, Bruce Stuart and Mr. Wilks, and it is planned to change exhibits monthly, as well as to create a special wall for children's art.

"We want a space where children can see their work in a gallery space, and also encourage them so that the next generation of artists can follow. All we require is that the children's art be nicely presented and framed so that it can be hung,'' Mr. Wilks says.

The artist/director points out that Kafu will be focussing on contemporary rather than traditional Bermuda artists, which explains the current exhibition choices. Displayed works will be for sale.

Special track lighting is planned not only to enhance the paintings but also provide the correct glow for hairdressing.

"We are in the forefront of including modern art, modern lighting and modern decor into one,'' Mr. Wilks notes.

To further enhance the partners' desire for people "to see the place singly'', ceiling speakers will provide an eclectic mix of music. Herbal teas and coffee will be served, and it is hoped that a general ambience of inter-activity will evolve.

"We don't want a one-dimensional type of business, we want an interactive atmosphere where different things can happen,'' Mr. Wilks explains. "We want to create a meeting point where different people from different cultures and different vibes can come together and share ideas -- where poets can come and sit and spout, musicians can come and play, and writers can come and give readings of their works.'' Since the salon uses an all-natural, organic line of hair and body aroma therapy products, an added feature will be a garden on the patio where patrons can see growing some of the ingredients the products contain, including aloe vera, rosemary and fennel.

Drawing attention to Kafu's many windows and glass doors which allow the sunlight to stream in and the patio to be seen, Mr. Wilks says: "These are chosen so you are still connected to Nature, and not separated from it.'' "Kafu (his son's middle name) means `bringer of light,' so everything flows on nicely. When you step outside at night and look in it is like a ray of sunshine.'' Extensive use of varnished pine, and a spacious reception area with custom-upholstered colourful settee, all add to the sense of being in a special place.

As to the type of clientele the partners want to attract, Mr. Wilks says: "We are trying not to be focussed on a particular group. We want to appeal to a wide cross section of people who are looking for a quality experience.'' SIDEBAR ABOUT THE PARTNERS Glen Wilks was born in Jamaica, and studied at the College of Art, Science and Technology in Kingston. Following his initial training as a hairdresser in Jamaica, he went to the Weller Institute in Darmstadt, Germany, before moving to the Vidal Sassoon salon in London, where he worked and also took advanced hairdressing training. He arrived in Bermuda in 1987, and describes the Island as "a beautiful place to live and work''.

He has one son, Bleu Kafu, and he and girlfriend Carmen are expecting their second child in February. Mr. Wilks is also a successful professional artist who has participated in many group shows in local galleries, including the biennial at the Bermuda National Gallery, as well as at the Black Fine Art Show in Greenwich Village, New York City. As the self-titled Niro, he also wrote, produced and released a compact disc under his own label, GR5.

Arnold (Donnie) Francis, Jr. was born in Bermuda and received his early education at Saltus Grammar School. He holds a degree in Management and English from Bentley College, Massachusetts, and a Law degree from the University of Buckingham in England. Mr. Francis -- the son of QC Arnold Francis -- is currently a sales associate in the Bank of Bermuda's investment department.