High End Weekly™ – Page 27 – High End Weekly™

Meet Rachid Khimoune

Rachid Khimoune

Photo credit High End Weekly™

Q& A

with French artist Rachid Khimoune

HEW: Why Strange Fruit?

RK: After creating the Mask and Totem series, I felt the need to create a bigger piece. Thus I was inspired by Billie Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit”. This song came to life in 1939 New York City. For me, it is invariably related to this city and the sultry singer.

HEW: What fascinates you about African Art?

RK: My work is more primitive art than tribal art. The message behind each piece relates to my life. The pieces are more Art Primal. The selection I’ve chosen are all recycled materials – from trees to pieces of metal. It is similar to Marcel Duchamp’s concept when he worked. The style is contemporary, the techniques are exclusively my own.

HEW: And so the message behind it is?
RK: Emotion. The reference is about life. The symbolic elements I used are water, energy, humanity.

Strange Fruit, iron and bronze, (9 feet), 2012

Photo credit: Benjamin Didier

HEW: What’s the best part about living in Paris?

RK: Whether I’m in Paris, or Beijing, I view myself as an artist of the world. The main idea is to make a continuous connection between my work and the rest of the world. The more people I touch the better. The international language behind what you see is ’emotion’ and the capsule is art.

Rachid Khimoune’s “Gaulois” Totem, 2007, wood, iron and bronze. Right: Grand Masque, 2007,

mixed media on canvas, H: 85″ x W: 47″
Photo credit High End Weekly™

HEW: Conveying emotion through one’s work does make a strong conviction, yes. Your family came to support you at the Friedman & Vallois Gallery in New York during your opening. Tell me, what was the most exciting feeling you shared with your wife, whom I was told is an emblematic figure in the Opera world in France?

RK: My children and close friends did attend the opening, and it was very important for me to have them with me. My “compagne” for over 20 years now was there as well. Ève produces festivals, and is responsible for launching the career of French soprano, Natalie Dessay here in New York. Ève Ruggiéri stresses emotions with the ears, and I with the eyes. We complete/fulfill each other with both of our own realm of creativity.

Dream for the Sky

Peter Wilderotter, and Dorothy Cosonas

SO LUXE!

“This project is personal. My 24 year old daughter became paralyzed suddenly from a rare auto immune disease,” says Dorothy Cosonas. “The Reeve Foundation is a place that creates hope — like birds, that hope can rise to the sky.”

The veteran brand, Knoll Luxe Textile, recently collaborated with Savoir Beds in order to benefit the Christopher Reeve Foundation. My friend C. Jean and I went to the event last week, and we were both impressed with what we saw. The event was spearheaded by Dorothy Cosonas from Luxe Textile; and the bed in question: Dream for the Sky is made of 100% linen with design elements in viscose and an accent of Swarovski crystals – the aesthetics were simply très jolie.

Savoir Beds is currently offering these custom designed headboards in five of my favorite patterns from Knoll: Arabella, Sandis, Mepal, Gates, and Garden City. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury. Additionally, for one year, a percentage of the proceeds for the sale of the selected Savoir beds that are upholstered with the above-mentioned fabrics from Knoll Luxe, will also go to the Foundation.

Custom Savoir Bed upholstered with a Knoll Luxe Linen Fabric

The ‘Dream for the Sky‘ bed is being auctioned by CharityBuzz.com for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation 100% of the proceeds will go towards the foundation

Photo credit: Knoll Textiles

CAPPELLINI

That same evening, a few blocks down, in the same artsy neighborhood of Soho, the folks at Cappellini were celebrating a project which involved a couple of cool designers from Amsterdam…

Social-Unit: The plastic bed is made from consumer waste plastic in Amsterdam’s sheltered workshops

The evening was fueled with some pretty acrobatic entertainment

The Social-Unit Team and Designers (Far left: Wouter and Corinne – far right)

Checking out the goods: Left: Yours truly. Right: Christ Jean-Palling

Photo courtesy Social-Unit

The Social-Unit is a luxurious residential bed, complete with ample storage, a vanity table, a desk and electrical outlets and lighting. It is specifically crafted to create a cozy ‘sheltered island’ space, in the middle of a large open plan living area. This sustainable bed is from a project that was part of a larger initiative – One Hundred Days – an international art competition launched by Contaminate NYC back in 2011. Contaminate is a social and cultural platform for art immerse experiences and – given its social entrepreneurial roots – decided to challenge artists to produce projects combining art and sustainability issues. Wouter and Corinne’s Social-Unit is the third and final show of the series dedicated to the winners of One Hundred Days. The Social Unit is available at t the Cappellini Showroom in Soho.

Not So Black & White

Fan Of The Hirshhorn (small)

I’m A Fan

Adrienne Moumin’s Epic Collages

New York-based artist Adrienne calls her handmade photo collages “Architextures”. They are fragments of what we see all around us – bigger than life skyscrapers that became synonymous for this city of steel. Her work is a combination of her lifelong involvement with both silver-based photography and collage, as discrete and separate practices. Architextures is also a combination of hand-printed B&W photographs with cut-and assembled handwork.

While I was at her studio last month, I noticed that at first, her works appeared to be digital montages, but upon closer inspection they revealed a texture and layering inherent in the handmade pieces. While you’re looking at these images on the screen everything appeared 2-D, but seeing them up-close will bring these multiple buildings alive, and your eyes will most likely be drawn to follow their hypnotic forms. As a modernist, I admired her work a great deal. Partly because of their originality, but mostly because Adrienne Moumin is following the path of such contemporary artists like: Dinh Q. Le, Ray K. Metzker, John Stezaker, and Annette Messager.

Kaleidoscope (Starrett-Lehigh), 37th dia. Hand-cut-and-assembled inkjet print photo collage, 2008

Snippetree

Fan Of The Hirshhorn (large)

Center Curves Squared 2012

Images courtesy Adrienne Moumin
All rights reserved

The New PAD

The Park Avenue Armory reopens its doors to another antique fair this past Thursday, November 8th. The show will end on Monday, November 12th. Salon Art + Design was created by veteran show producer Sanford Smith. It is the first American fair to collaborate with the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, Europe’s most prestigious association of dealers. Most of the dealers were in attendance at the renowned Biennael des Antiquaires in Paris, this past September. Altogether the mix of genres, periods and styles reflected the eclecticism of today’s collector.

Salon Art + Design was created by veteran show producer Sanford Smith. It is the first American fair to collaborate with the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, Europe’s most prestigious association of dealers.

Luba: Shankadi people, D.R. of Congo, 19th Century - wood, Galerie Bernard Dulon — Luba: Shankadi people, D.R. of Congo, 19th Century – wood, Galerie Bernard Dulon

The New PAD.3 — Victor Vasarely, Naissance-Pas, 1958, Painting on panel

Yayoi Kusama "Pollen" chair, circa 1984, Vivian Horan Fine Art — Yayoi Kusama “Pollen” chair, circa 1984, Vivian Horan Fine Art

Left: A rare and unique Gaston Suisse, Wooden dark gray and black lacquer furniture (c. 1939) opening with three doors and eggshell on the handles, Galerie Felix Marcihac

Two door cabinet of welded aluminum, black enameled steel from Paul Evans, Bernd Goeckler Antiques

A masterful sculpture by Wendell Castle from "A New Environment", Barry Friedman — A masterful sculpture by Wendell Castle from “A New Environment”, Barry Friedman

Horror Vacui from Morten Lobner Espersen, Jason Jacques Gallery

A single Otto Wagner, post chair from Modernity

Collectors in attendance welcomed, once again, the opportunity to pair a Brueghel with a Jean Michel Frank table or a tribal mask with a Le Corbusier painting. The range and caliber of material at the Salon will attract discerning collectors, designers, and art enthusiasts around the world.

Drama At The Table

Photo credit Chronicle/Eric Luse

How To Decorate Your Tables – Beautifully

My gift to you today is a series of dramatic table settings that I’ve collected from the Internet over the years. No doubt you appreciate the pleasure and the importance of preparing a meal, and setting an elegant table as you get together with your friends and families. So today, as you welcome them in your homes and ultimately your tables, why not do so with a bit of flair, and a lot of drama?

Simple and personal touches at the table equal lasting memories

Photo via Brunch at SAKS

Centerpieces are key to any table settings. It’s important for the eye to wonder and fantasy, especially when the conversation around the table gets a bit dull

Black and white is the new black. Seeing these bold stripes at an outdoor table setting is “a good thing”. It makes a lasting impression, even if the flowers were absent from the table

Bountiful: Preston Bailey’s over the top, yet elegant table setting

Breaking bread: The folks at Le Pain Quotidien always manage to create a dramatic table, even with they bare-polished furniture

Elegant: Greek keys, monograms and zig zags… Who could ask for anything more?

Photo via Reasons to Breathe

Lost in the woods: This setting is by far one of the most interesting ones. It provides a means to escape, and be wrapped up – In The Moment

Photo credit Chronicle/Eric Luse

I would of liked to see a bit more color here, especially since all the flowers are white. However, the peacock provides plenty of that – even though it is neutral

Monique Lhuilier’s Table Setting

Shine on: Nothing says drama, and romance than candlesticks

Okay, we get it! Audrey equals drama!

Photo credit Timothy Kilk, via Elle Decor

Outdoor festivities are always a great ideas. Even in the winter

All other images via Pinterest

NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.

New York via Italy

Fendi Casa made a stunning ultra-chic showhouse (the first of its kind) at NYC’s ubber cool Setai Hotel. The world-famous iconic Italian designer unveiled a contemporary home collection in the posh quarters of the private residences at 400 Fifth Avenue. I was quite impressed with their Italian fashion and accessories brand, which were sleek, modern and advanced.

For this highly anticipated project, FENDI CASA has transformed the expansive three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom penthouse 2N into a vision of contemporary elegance.

With a clear focus on rich materials and clean lines, the 3,292-square-foot residence features their own leather sofas and chairs, lacquer furniture, signature rugs and chandeliers in tones of champagne, ivory, black and chocolate, meticulously paired with the property’s lush hardwood and stone finishes.

As a final touch, modern art from the renowned Hirschl & Adler Galleries were on loan to create a stunning, visually compelling image only rivaled by the breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling views enjoyed from every room.

In choosing 400 Fifth Avenue as the locale for its first New York City show home, FENDI has selected a building acclaimed for its inspired, contemporary design and exclusive amenities and services. Opened in 2010, the 60-story building encompasses a collection of 169 upper-floor private condominium residences, along with the award-winning hotel Setai Fifth Avenue, named the 2012 Best Hotel in New York City by U.S. News & World Report Travel. “It was extremely important for us to partner with a building that evokes a similar design sensibility,” said Raffaella Vignatelli, President of Luxury Living – FENDI CASA.

“With the exceptional penthouse at 400 Fifth Avenue, we have found an ideal environment to showcase FENDI’s trademark style.”

Designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates and expertly appointed by interior design firm DAS Concepts, 400 Fifth Avenue boasts imported Italian cabinetry, hand-laid black-oak flooring, stone countertops, the latest appliances and panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views. Among its many exceptional offerings, the building houses Ai Fiori, the three-star Italian restaurant from celebrated chef Michael White, along with Bar on Fifth, Auriga Spa and Julien Farel Salon. Residents also have access to premier hotel services, including in-home catering, valet parking, linen and turn down service, and housekeeping, as well as unique on-call services such as pharmacist, physician, dentist, airport transportation and childcare.

Is Daniel Day-Lewis The World’s Greatest Actor?

Academy award actor, Daniel Day-Lewis

There’s been more than 15K books written about Abraham Lincoln. Yet to the general public, Lincoln remains an enigma, the man himself dubbed his persona as “strange”. I wouldn’t pretend to be an expert on Lincoln, but I will say that I know a lot about Daniel Day-Lewis (over the years, I’ve accumulated countless of scrap books about the actor’s personal life, and career). Daniel has been an inspiration, and I’ve admired his acting skills since I was 18 years old. Although I do not have a razor sharp memory of each and every single moments of his earlier films, I found his performances in My Left Foot, The Last of The Mohicans, There Will Be Blood – unforgettable. Even his less known films left a tremendous impact on my view of him. When I look back at his one-liner, tornado force introduction in Gandhi, I knew even then that he was destined for greatness.

And so decades, Daniel Day-Lewis has been called to the world’s stage to show, once again, his immense power as this generation greatest actor (I’m all in agreement with Time Magazine). It makes sense that he went out of his way to pursue the lead role in a film that delves into the portrayal of a president that was revered, and will so far be remembered as the greatest president of all time.

Left: The official movie poster of Lincoln. Right: DDL on the cover of Time Magazine

A Room with A View (Daniel Day-Lewis shaking hands with Helena Bonham Carter)

Daniel Day-Lewis

The Age of Innocence: Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood

Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln

A Very Good Year

Mark Rothko’s No.1

Image courtesy Sotheby’s

ROYAL RED & BLUE

Sotheby’s achieved their highest Contemporary Art Evening Sale by tallying $375,149,000 the best auction result in any category in the Company’s history. Mark Rothko’s No. 1: the majestic canvas lead the way with a final bid of $75 Million. Royal Red and Blue was one of eight works hand-selected by Rothko for his landmark solo show of the same year at the Art Institute of Chicago. Measuring 1133⁄4 x 671⁄2 in (288.9 x 171.5 cm), No.1 (Royal Red and Blue) has remained in the same collection for 30 years.

Mark Rothko’s Blue and Gray, via The New York Observer

Mark Rothko’s No. 61 (Rust and Blue)

Source: Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Overall, this was the highest auction total in Sotheby’s history. New artist records for: Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Hans Hofmann, Arshile Gorky, Robert Motherwell, Wade Guyton, as well as for a work-on-paper by Andy Warhol and a painting by Takashi Murakami. Note: The previous record for a Sotheby’s auction was the May 2008 Contemporary Art Evening Sale which totaled $362,037,000.

Mark Rothko

Let’s Meet at Vallois!

Rachid Khimoune next to his Strange Fruit Installation

Out & About

Friedman & Vallois hosted a successful art opening this past Thursday evening at their posh gallery location on East 64th Street. For the very first time in New York, an exclusive showing of French artist Rachid Khimoune‘s avant garde pieces were on display. The exhibition opened on November 8th and will run until December 21. Look for my brief interview with the artist tomorrow morning. And for additional images of the party, visit our Facebook page.

Rachid Khimoune, Robert Vallois

Margaret Le Coze (Le Bernadin) Rachid Khimoune, Eve Ruggieri

Barry Friedman, Patricia Pastor

Eve Ruggieri

Eve Ruggieri (center) and her friends

Thanhyen Nguyen

Patrick de Bourgues, Rachid Khimoune, Alexandra de Grece, Nicolas Mirayantz

Laurence Fayard

Alex Barlow, Karim Khimoune

Elodie Giancristoforo

Kahina Khimoune and friend

Photo credit Benjamin Didier

The New PAD

Pictured: A stunning wing chair designed by Frits Henningsen, Denmark, circa 1940s, Modernity

The Park Avenue Armory reopens its doors to another antique fair this past Thursday, November 8th. The show will end on Monday, November 12th. Salon Art + Design was created by veteran show producer Sanford Smith. It is the first American fair to collaborate with the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, Europe’s most prestigious association of dealers. Most of the dealers were in attendance at the renowned Biennael des Antiquaires in Paris, this past September. Altogether the mix of genres, periods and styles reflected the eclecticism of today’s collector.

While this show highlighted 20th century and contemporary art and design, historic design were represented by the oldest decorative arts gallery in Paris, an Old Master dealer with multiple European locations, and a selection of dealers in ethnographic and Asian material. Collectors in attendance welcomed, once again, the opportunity to pair a Brueghel with a Jean Michel Frank table or a tribal mask with a Le Corbusier painting. The range and caliber of material at the Salon will attract discerning collectors, designers, and art enthusiasts around the world.

The venerable Tribal art dealer from Paris, Bernard Dulon

Top left: A Teke People Mask, congo, before 1920

Luba: Shankadi people, D.R. of Congo, 19th Century – wood, Galerie Bernard Dulon

Clean lines, overwhelming elegance: Top left – a Jean-Michel Frank’s wooden X lamp covered with tobacco-colored leather, L’arc en Seine

Galerie Valois

Victor Vasarely, Naissance-Pas, 1958, Painting on panel

Yayoi Kusama “Pollen” chair, circa 1984, Vivian Horan Fine Art

Left: A rare and unique Gaston Suisse, Wooden dark gray and black lacquer furniture (c. 1939) opening with three doors and eggshell on the handles, Galerie Felix Marcihac