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The Fine Art and Antiques Show
The Spring Show at the Park Avenue ArmoryNow that the first New York Spring Show is out of the way, I can comfortably reflect upon how vibrant and well organized it was. Kudos Mr. Clinton Howell for pulling one of the most memorable fair – to date.The opening night had such a great turn out that at some point, I even thought perhaps they were expecting a dozen head of states, but no, what was happening was the gathering of a great number of well dressed New Yorkers, who were gamed to enjoy some of the best art and antiques from around the world. I love how the show engaged its audience by having a variety of VIP tours. Just today, my husband and I were at a private tour over at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, enjoying the special exhibition Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels. The museum’s curator, Ms. Sarah D. Coffin, adroitly directed more than a dozen attendees (more than all the other tours combined). Truly, I was puzzled that not many people took advantage of these VIP tours. Since this was the 1st Spring Show, perhaps more people will join in the fun in the years to come. The pictures above represent my key highlights, from Iliad Gallery, where classicism meets modernism, to those gorgeous carpets from Sonia Delaunay (there is a current exhibit of Ms. Dalaynay’s work at the Cooper-Hewitt until the beginning of June) at the Vojtech Blau to that not so beautiful easy chair from Alexander Cohane which happens to be one of the most comfortable seating you will ever have the pleasure of lounging in. The Spring Show had some earthly treasures for all those art and furniture lovers.Park Avenue Armory
643 Park AvenueNew York, NY 10065
212-744-8180
Daphne Alazraki Fine Art
Vojtech Blau
Geoffrey Diner Galler
Michael Pashby Antiques
Lost City Arts
www.lostcityarts.com
Jack Kilgore & Co.
Douglas Dawson
Robert Simon Fine Art
Carlotn Hobbs
www.carltonhobbs.net
RM Barokh Antiques
Conru
Alexander Cohane -
Savage Beauty
“I want to be the purveyor of a certain silhouette or a way of cutting, so that when I’m dead and gone people will know that the twenty-first century was started by Alexander McQueen.”The house of Alexander McQueen will be honored next week by The Costume Institute of The Met Museum and I can’t wait to be there to witness this spectacular event. One hundred designs will be on display and no doubt, they will all reflect Lee’s true essence – imaginative, dark, and romantic.Yesterday, I was at The Met, and picked up the book – Savage Beauty. Believe me, you don’t want to miss out on purchasing this one. I can’t remember the last time I was so enthralled by a fashion book. McQueen certainly improves upon acquaintance, and his legend lives on!Alexander McQueen
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
May 4, 2011–July 31, 2011
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor
Alexander McQueen at The Metropolitan Museum of ArtNOTE: 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. -
Gallery of The Month: Friedman & Vallois
T H E K O T A A N C E S T O R S E X H I B I T
Undoubtedly one of the finest exhibition for the month of May. The Kota Ancestors will reign supreme at the elegant, art deco gallery of Freidman & Vallois from May 11 to June 11, 2011.
We will have an exciting coverage, and will present a blow by blow account of the story behind this much anticipated show that is rightly aligned with the Africa Oceania Americas Tribal Art of New York. Stay tuned. -
Peak Of The Week: Tactile Textiles
R E T U R N I N G B A C K T O N A T U R ENature has always been a great source of inspiration in my designs. Come to think of it, that is one of the reasons why I love the elegantly simple textiles from Création Baumann. Their new collection “The Living Line” is guided by nature, especially in the selection of natural colors.Impeccably painted floral designs on silk taffeta, “Cosmea” brings to mind classic floral prints of long ago, with arrangements and coloring that deliberately deviate.
RosalieThis textile is just as eye catching as any of CB’s collections. The soft wool cloth with punched out motifs is suitable for curtaining and throws.
VidafloraVidalflora is true pizazz. With its velour stripes, it harmonized beautifully to create a brilliant combination. In fact, the entire collection from Création Baumann is absolutely exciting, since they only use first rate combination of the most diverse weaves, designs and colors.to the trade only -
Kobra King at iGuzzini
Lighting is not important for the architecture itself, but for the people that lives in it. In 2007, the Italian lighting company, iGuzzini manufactured the PizzaKobra, and it soon became the mother of all task light. Gazing admirably at this pure object of beauty, one can easily see why.The PizzaKobra is the result of Rod Arad’s creative genius, who dared to imagine a world with a task light that one can actually switch on, and still managed to continually gaze at with admiration, long after it’s on.The aluminium spires are highly pliable, giving the object a strong sensation of movement. PizzaKobra is light. The LEDs in the Kobra head create a suggestive play with reflections and shadows, as the material comes to life.And then, with a simple gesture, Kobra goes back to Pizza and the light is off.iGuzzini60 Madison Avenue, 2nd FloorNew York, NY 10010iGuzzini’s tableware are sold at Eately, and Majestic Gifts.
PizzaKobra is an original idea – a light that is formed and transformed – the perfect expression of Arad’s design and iGuzzini’s know-how. Continuously evolving, it is a metaphor of the passion they keep in their hearts and nourish with dreams and projects.
The PizzaKobra may cost more, but it’s worth more.Aren’t you worth it? -
Have You Met Alexander?
New Yorkers will once again experience one of the many joys of living in this fashionable city. The Met’s Costume Institute is getting ready for their May 4th exhibit of the great fashion designer, Alexander McQueen. The show will focus from McQueen’s postgraduate collection, dated back in 1992 to the sad final runway show in February 2010, which took place after his death.
This exhibit means so much to McQueen’s devotees who have long since regarded him as one of the main King of Fashion. His designs always pushed the boundaries, and stayed true to their conceptual expression of culture, and identity. To watch the heart racing video from the museum, go to: Alexander McQueen at The Met. The Met will also produce a book from London photographer, Solve Sundsbo: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty ($45).
Alexander McQueen had a way of making melancholy look so romantic
Photos via The New York Times
Naomi Campbell
McQueen all the way!
Andrew Bolton is the curator behind the McQueen ExhibitNOTE: 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. -
Hermès Furniture Collection
Updates on the Milan International Furniture ShowHow on earth did I forget to mention this on my last post?! French luxury brand, Hermès, has unveil their first ever furniture line at the show this week. Who are the designers behind this grand coup?Enzo Mari, an influential figure in Italian design, has designed a line of living room furniture, the dining room furniture line comes from Anthonio Citterio, and Denis Montel, who has been working with Hermès since 1978, teamed up with with Eric Benque to co-designed a chair that Hermes called its signature object. The collection will be available in select Hermès stores, starting September 2011. In addition, Hermès partnered with Debar to present an absolutely stunning range of fabrics, wallpaper and carpets.
Note: A short video of the fair can be found here - Decorative Arts, Design, Editor's Top Picks, Features, Furniture, I Saloni, Interior Design, Italy, Lighting
Top Design Trends from Milan
I Saloni is 50 years young this year, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the design trends that keep trickling down each year at this iconic luxury design trade show. Planning to attend? You’re in for a treat since you’ll be able to touch, marvel, and experience the world’s best furniture design.I Saloni is where you’ll find a variety of furniture and accessories – from classical to modern. With an increasing audience each year, no wonder this is the quaintessial place where you’ll find firsthand, the trendsetters of tomorrow.
Scene XXL by Montis Designer: Gijs Papavoine 
Hanoi by Prandina Designer: Federico Churba 
Breva by Molteni & C. Designer: Arik Levy 
Duplex by Matteograssi Designer: Piero Lissoni - Books, Entertainment, Features, Flowers, Flowers as Art, Gardens, Life and Style, Lifestyle, Olivier Goigmo
The Wondrous World of Parisian Florist Olivier Giugni
Parisian Flair
For the last few days, I’ve been eagerly anticipating my copy of Living Art by Oliver Giugni, and was not one bit disappointed when it finally arrived in the mail. Oliver’s latest book has a multitude of pages, all filled with stunning photographs, of some of the most breathtaking floral creations I have ever seen. My love for flowers, especially when they are beautifully arranged by such a talented florist like Olivier, will never wither away, even when the time has come to close the book and move on with my day.L’Olivier Floral Atelier has a definite flair. Located at 19 East 76th Street, and 213 West 14th Street, it is truly “a wondrous world of flower extravaganza”.
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Meet Véronique Dalla Favera
High End Weekly™ welcomes Véronique Dalla Favera as one of the first artist to take part in our interview series! Ms. Favera’s fine art paintings and sculptures are often described as avant-garde, her paintings go from light to dark forms, and are both harmonious and purified in style. HEW sat down with the French artist last month, and discovered that because she has a deep fondness for New York, she decided to move here – part-time.Below: Véronique Dalla Favera
HEW: Describe your style, like a good friend of yours would describe it.
VDF: Through my techniques, I use my art as a vessel for sobriety, simplicity, and honesty. That universe suits me just fine.
HEW: How and when did you first become interested in art?VDF: Honestly, it all began when I was about 11 years old, but I didn’t start out painting, and creating sculptures, writing was my muse, and I began writing different novels about crime, detective stories and the like. Sadly enough, my environment wasn’t open to that universe.So little by little, I started to transform my desire to write into painting instead. Through art, I started to become more expressive about my wish to write. So twenty years later, I began working on a sculpture and then another one, and another, and before you know it, my need to continue to do so became insatiable, and it became an obsession. Since then, I’ve never stop creating, imagining. This all became part of my fantasies, which eventually came alive through my work. Today, I cannot imagine my life without creating art, it simply has become who I am.
HEW: Where do you work on your designs and projects?VDF: My studio is in France, a little village in Bourgone with about 60 inhabitants. Lately, I’ve been contemplating moving to another studio in Dijon, which is larger than my current one, since my work is expanding.“My art is inspired by harmony, logic, the perfect equilibrium, but it is also about a meeting of profound individuality which allows for a marvelous, and sincere overture.” Véronique Dalla Favera
HEW: What is the best moment of the day?VDF: The moment is right here, now. Anytime that I am at my studio, creating art – without any hesitation.
HEW: Do you discuss your work with other designers and artists?VDF: All the time. Whether I’m exhibiting in France (Dijon, Beaune, Pommard, Chassagne, Montrachet, Paris, Lyon, Monaco), I’m in constant contact with my artist friends. I had an exhibition in Italy, and for the last nine months, I’ve been in and out of the US, and it’s been great conversing with fellow artists, as our talks are always constructive, and immensely interesting.
HEW: Is there any artist or artists from the past you appreciate?VDF: I am fascinated by artists whose works are specific and have a strong identity. There’s a number of them which I admire profoundly: Arcimboldo, Magritte, Mondrian, Giacometti, Kandinsky, as well as Niki de St Palle.
HEW: And those still working?VDF: Juane Genoves, Soulage, Dean Byington, Yan Pei Ming, Andy Goldsworthy…. I’m constantly discovering fascinating artists, everyday.
HEW: What is your favorite city, and why?VDF: Without a doubt, New York City. Twenty five years ago, when I first visited the big apple, I promised to come back, but as time passes, we tend to forget the impressions that a moment can make. But in March 2010, I was chosen to exhibit my work at MAISON FRANCE, and was beyond thrilled to come back to the city that I fell in love with, all those years ago.
HEW: What projects are you working on now and how do you expect your work to develope in the future?VDF: There’s a number of things going on now, and some of them have to do with the projects I’m involved with here in the United States. The LivenLu collection is going towards a new dimension, and we are now preparing to sell them on-line. In May, I will be exhibiting in Los Angeles and San Fancisco. I am staying focus on my current projects as well, and plan to continue participating at various noteworthy venues in the US and France.
HEW: What project has given you the most satisfaction?VDF: Every project is a source of satisfaction in the sense that they are an added step into my research. It is true that the LivenLulu collection is very close to my heart. They are pieces devoid of any distinctive exterior, and that allows me to express an enormous amount of emotions. I have a lot of ideas for LivenLulu, and currently I’m working on extending that collection.
HEW: What is the most important lesson that life, so far, has taught you?
VDF: Life is a daily education, yet, what we learn one day doesn’t necessarily apply for tomorrow. What I keep is not to forget the past and at the same time, continue to progress, continue to look forward. I love life, and even though it can be quite capricious, we can always take the good out of it. With life, one must be open.
