Category: Editor’s Top Picks

Organic Forms as Object d’Art

Joern Lohmann Gallery
Collective 2 Design Fair – Part II of II
 
“The international collectors, curators and interior designers that came to Collective 2 Design Fair showed great interest in the contemporary ceramic sculptures and vessels exhibited by J. Lohmann Gallery. Contemporary versions of organic forms are in high demand by taste makers around the world and this trend resulted in very good sales including to a major US Museum and amazing press like the editorial in the WSJ that included the artist Sandra Davolio who is represented by us.” Joern Lohmann

J. Lohmann Gallery
 
These object d’arts certainly have their own tasteful way of enhancing a decorated space. In some cases, they even make the room. These exquisite pieces of ceramics, many of which are from a group of Scandinavian artists that the gallery owner, Joern Lohmann have been working with for a several years, have the means of touching me, in a personal way. Not just because they’re graceful, but their natural sense of morphing into an interior and radiating beauty is something that you have to experience for yourself.
 
Joern Lohmann
Photo credit High End Weekly™
All rights reserved

Harry Bertoia at Sotheby’s

Harry BERTOIA Monumental sound sculpture from the standard oil commission, Chicago, beryllium copper and brass, in 2 parts
Embracing The Music of Our Lives
“… a sculptural element breaking silence, it has a voice, hence we listen to it, maybe there’s something to say.” Harry Bertoia

The artist at the center of Sotheby’s latest contemporary show is Harry Bertoia. I must admit, before receiving the invite to the opening reception, I did not know too much about the designer except that I’ve always loved his namesake chairs (which thankfully have long been reproduced by Knoll, and Design Within Reach). Bertoia: A Celebration of Sound and Motion, is an exhibition that opened on Tuesday, February 11th and closes on Sunday, March 9, 2014.

This selling exhibit focuses on the ability of motion and space to mimic three-dimensional effects. Bertoia’s work marries aesthetic ideals and intellectual concepts to create abstract forms often inspired by those found in nature. The result? Non-stop interaction with the objects which brought sound, and occasionally, some laughter. Assembled in the 2nd floor gallery are more than 30 sculptures which range in size from monumental to diminutive and offer a comprehensive look at his career comprising some of the finest examples of the artist’s organic and sonambient works ever to appear on the market.

The star lot of the exhibition is Bertoia’s sculpture screens from 1959 (installed in the lobby of the auction house, they will be on public view through the duration of the show), which were originally commissioned for the First National Bank of Miami and later privately acquired and gifted to the University of Virginia. The screens were a personal favorite. They’re so large, yet so inviting at the same time. These sculptures were among his most important commissions and were on the University of Virginia School of Architecture’s campus.

Harry Betray, Dandelion, Gilt stainless steel, brass and slate
 
Harry Bertoia, Gong Pendants: hand-hammered gold over silver, and hand hammered silver
Harry Bertoia, Untitled, melt-coated brass over steel
 
In the sculptures, I am concerned primarily with space, form and the characteristics of metal.” Harry Bertoia
Harry Bertoia, Maquette for the “comet” Sculpture designed for W. Hawkins Ferry, brass coated metal wire and bronze
Harry Bertoia, Untitled, welded and patinated bronze
Harry Bertoia, Sculpture screens from The First National Bank of Miami, Florida
Melt-coated brass over steel, in 10 parts
Reception and Private View of Bertoia
Reed Krakoff, New York fashion designer and former executive creative director of Coach, Inc.
Beryllium copper and brass, in 2 parts
Gong designed for Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway, patinated bronze
“The work of Harry Bertoia defies categorization. Its singular, aggressively personal expression, sits on the borders between art, design, sculpture, and instrument.“
Reed Krakoff
 
Far right: Gong designed for Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway, patinated bronze

Vyna St. Phard, Reed Krakoff

 
Images by High End Weekly™
All rights reserved

New York’s Preeminent Antiques Shows

“The Winter Antiques Show just celebrated its 60th year as the most prestigious antiques show in America, featuring the “best of the best” from antiquities through the 1960s. Held at the historic Park Avenue Armory in New York City, the Show provides curators, established collectors, dealers, design professionals and first-time buyers with opportunities to view and buy exceptional pieces showcased by 73 exhibitors. One-third of the Show’s exhibitors are specialists in Americana, with the rest featuring English, European, and Asian fine and decorative arts.”
Urban Karlsson and Juan Montoya
Vyna St. Phard at The Peter Fetterman Gallery
Opening night at The Metro Show

The Metro Show often signaled the start of “The antiques season in New York City”. Hailing from its original home, The Metropolitan Pavillion, Metro Show 2014 opened on January 22nd and ran for about five days. This year, a fresh and engaging new concept named Metro Curates was introduced to thousands of visitors, among them designers, collectors and art enthusiasts. Caroline Kerrigan Lerch, director of the METRO Show explained the Metro Curates concept this way:

The Metro Show

 “[This] is our way of initiating a conversation between the dealer and the fair goer, whether they are a veteran of the art fair scene or a newcomer. Our goal is to offer in-depth, thoughtful presentations in a way similar to the way museum curators mount their exhibitions. We think METRO Curates will offer a comparable level of interest, education and engagement.”
Yutaka Yoshinaga
The Rhythm of Color – Colors, 2008
Pigment on folded washi paper
59 1/2 x 39 1/3 inches
Perimeter Gallery
High End Weekly™ Images
All rights reserved

Paris goes Wild for Design

Maison Objet 2014

Our Parisian correspondent, Sarah Boutinon-Tharse reveals some of her top pics from Maison Objet 2014. Beautiful works by luxury brands like Daum, Rosenthal, Wonderglass, Missoni Home are signaling that now more than ever, people are still interested in glamor, but they also seek comfortable designs that are more relaxed, feel more modern, and definitely more relevant to their current lifestyles.

https://www.highendweekly.com/2014/01/the-paris-diary.html
Daum celebrates China’s Year Of The Horse
Mid-Twentieth Century Textile and wallpaper from Miss Print

 

 

 

 

https://www.highendweekly.com/2014/01/the-paris-diary.html
Images by Sarah Boutinon-Tharse for High High End Weekly™

Hello Frankfurt

Shopping the Luxury Trends at Heimtextil, Frankfurt 2014

Since returning from Germany, many of my followers and colleagues have been curious about my latest trip to Europe, and upon answering them, they probed further by asking what exactly is Heimtextil? It’s pretty simple. Heimtextil is the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles. It is a fair that highlights a very strong and successful introduction to the year’s purest trends. But over all, it’s much more than that. The show which took place in Frankfurt am Main is one of the most progressive and advanced trade fair I’ve ever attended. And believe me, I’ve seen my share.

The final count for the show indicated that almost 67,000 visitors from 133 countries made their way to Frankfurt to see the latest products and innovations that were being shown by 2,718 international exhibitors.
Raw Luxury
For the sake of brevity, during the fair, I concentrated on one common theme for this blog: Raw Luxury. Celebrating raw luxury means that one disconnect with technology for a while. And instead, connect with nature and spirituality. The images on this post convey that certain feeling. The use of wood, fur, natural fibers, leather, feathers, all of which creates a natural organic experience. The trends for this year’s raw luxury are almost primitive in a way. Nothing but the highest quality of materials will do. The mood is serene, subdued, neutral colors create the most comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The textures and the patterns of the materials are subtle, and convey this luxurious touch that we all need in our busy and hectic lives.
https://www.highendweekly.com/2014/01/hello-frankfurt.html
Since the designs are inspired by nature, they all have a direct connection with it. Bringing the outside in is what it is all about. It’s also about celebrating individuality. Imperfection becomes beauty. It is unique, it is luxurious. Stones, marbles, wood, are an integral part of the conversation. The visual effect they introduce in our lives perhaps have the power to make us even more progressive. After all, when you’re innovative, you use the trends effectively – whether you are traditional or modern.
Images by High End Weekly™
All rights reserved

Pure and Rational Beauties

Claude Lalanne”L’Enlevement d’Europe”, 1990
Modern Design Visionaries
Strong sales results from both Philipps de Pury and Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design indicate a fervent interest in art deco, modern, and contemporary design. The auction house saw a very positive result for their Claude Lalanne’ “L’enlevement d’Europe” (pictured above) sculpture.  This striking piece tells the story of Princess Europa “overtaken by the god Jupiter (in bull form) results in the birth of Minos and the beginning of civilization on the island of Crete – the mythical first spark of society and culture that would sow the seeds for the European continent itself.” The following designs also made news in the art world this week.


PHILLIPS de PURY

Robert Mapplethorpe, Black and white plates
https://www.highendweekly.com/2013/12/riding-auction-beast-in-style.html
Above left: A series of Zaha Hadid contemporary shelves
https://www.highendweekly.com/2013/12/riding-auction-beast-in-style.html
Above: Gio Ponti colorful desk, and chairs 
Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, an outstanding chaise, and a pair of upholstered chairs
(in the background)
“Pure and rational form, translated in a beautiful material, is a requirement.”
Emile Jacques Ruhlmann
Jean Prouvé desk, and shelves
SOTHEBY’S
Left: Paul T. Frankl, “Speed” chair and ottoman, circa 1941. Right: Paul T. Frankl, “Skyscraper” bookcase from the library of Lucile Layton Zinman and M. Boyd Zinman,
1200 Fifth Avenue, NYC, circa 1927
Top: Michele Oka Doner, circa 1968, Seven torso sculptures, porcelain, acrylic and steel
Bottom: George Nakashima custom “Kornblut” cabinet, 1984, Persian walnut, American black walnut. East Indian rosewood and burl
Paul Evans, “Sculpture Front” cabinet, 1969
Albert Paley “Masterworks” Sideboard, forged steel and glass, circa 1991
Details of the Masterworks sideboard by Albert Paley
Left: Judy Kensley McKie, “Faces” cabinet, 1991. Painted wood and glass. Right: Hans Wegner, Papa Bear Chair, circa 1950s
https://www.highendweekly.com/2013/12/riding-auction-beast-in-style.html
https://www.highendweekly.com/2013/12/riding-auction-beast-in-style.html
Far Left: Paavo Tynell, pair of floor lamps, circa 1945. Right: Pair of “Clam”
armchairs by Philip Arctander, circa 1944
An important prototype “large steel”, circa 1950
A series of Gerrit Thomas Rietvelt Zig Zag Chairs, circa 1967
Gio Ponti, a rare “Proteo” desk lamp, circa 1960
Photos by High End Weekly
All rights reserved

Shopping at The Salon

Jean-Michel Frank, 1895-1941, Lounge chair in limed oak
Galerie L’arc En Seine
The second edition of The Salon: Art + Design show did not disappoint. It is quite possible that it was even better than the inauguration last year. Some of the best dealers in the world were welcomed back to The Park Avenue Armory, and I was pleased to discover some of the most outstanding and rarest works of art in the market – many of which have not been seen for a very long time, nor ever been seen before. Opening night is mostly about networking with the dealers, and socializing with my peers, so I had to made several trips back to the show in order to take some real-time “inventory”.  The antique show is second to none, of its kind, and November in New York presents a true opportunity to shop for some of the best art deco, modern to contemporary, and back to post-modern works from an array of international dealers. While making the rounds, I was surprised to learn from the legendary artist, and renowned art dealer Barry Friedman himself, that as of January 2014, he’ll be retiring after 48 years in the business. This will certainly present a significant hole in the industry, but it is important to note that Friendman Banta will still be in operation.

The Salon is open until Monday, November 18th. The schedule and location of the fair can be found in their website, or on my earlier posts. If you are an art and design lover, collector, or an enthusiast, this fair couldn’t be a better one to visit.
Galerie Marcilhac
George Nakashima furniture at Moderne Gallery
Right: Herter Brothers. One of only five chairs made for J.P. Morgan’s house on Madison Avenue, ca. 1882. The other is in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Oscar Graf
Outstanding collection of Swedish, Mid 20th Century Furniture at Modernity
Modernity Gallery
Galerie Mermoz, Pre-Columbian Art
Barry Friedman Ltd
Khaled Zaki (Egyptian 1964), Bronze
Barry Friedman 
Fernando Botero, b. 1932, Dancers, Bronze
Cernuda Arte
Pop Art at Joan B. Mirviss Ltd.
Images by High End Weekly™
All rights reserved

International Designs on Park

Galerie Diane de Polignac Guy de Rougemont, Petit Trèfle Sculpture-low table in limited edition, titled, signed and numbered by the artist for the gallery. Stainless steel painted
Dubbed by The New York Times as “a museum in the making at the Park Avenue Armory”, this week The Salon Art + Design, once again, will aim at being the year’s top fair on East 66th Street & Park.  This show is very well-known to mix art, design and decorative art objects from dozens of dealers from around the globe. Of the original European dealers, many including names like, L’Arc en Seine, Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Galerie Christian Deydier, Vallois, Galerie Gmurzynska, Galerie Boulakia, Robilant + Voena, Galerie Beres, Brame + Lorenceau and Kraemer are returning.
The new contingent of dealers includes three new ethnographic galleries: Mermoz and Galerie 1492, both specializing in Pre-Colombian art, and Galerie Lucas Ratton, a 3rd generation specialist in African Art. New entries in art include Keitelman Gallery from Brussels who features 20th century avant-garde masters and the Tasende Gallery from Los Angeles and LaJolla, who will bring outstanding 20th century paintings and sculpture. On the design front, Cristina Grajales a leading New York decorative arts dealer who cultivates emerging contemporary designers will show eclectic new work.
The combination of a preponderance of 20th century fine and decorative arts, some ethnographic and antique pieces created a unique and memorable show. Of the Salon, Christian Deydier, President of the Syndicate had this to say: “I am extremely happy that the SNA, in partnership with Sanford Smith for the second time, will present some of its top dealers during The Salon in New York. Personally, I feel that the first edition of The Salon was very successful  and there has never been any question in my participation in the second edition.” Benoit Sapiro of Le Minotaure, a leading Parisian art gallery commented: “it is very important for us to be present in New York. The first edition of The Salon NY was a great success and for us it was obvious to return.”
The fair opens to the public on November 14th through November 18th. The Park Avenue Armory is located at 643 Park Avenue at 66th Street, New York City. Opening Night Preview Event is on Thursday, November 14th, 2013, from 6:30 – 9:30 PM, and the price is $125 per person. A portion of the proceeds will be gifted to the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
Cristina Grajales Inc.Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Excursion Coffee Table Bronze
and enamel, c. 1960
Charles Biederman (1906-2004) String Relief, New York, June 1936, 1936 
Painted wood, string, Glass 
Joan B. Mirviss MORINO TAIMEI (b. 1934), Flat ovoid red and black striped eared vessel with green-overglaze spots, Title: Komorebi; Sunbeams Streaming through Foliage, 2012, Glazed stoneware
Galerie 1492 Plate decorated with a dear Maya culture, ca 900- 1200 Guatemala

Elegance Starts at Home

Galerie Mathivet

Editor’s Top Picks: The 25th Anniversary of
The International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show
 For the Editor’s List this year, we’ve focused on a small astonishing list of Art Deco, Tribal Art, and Contemporary galleries, as well as one particular gallery which specializes in some amazing antiquities. All of our top picks come from world-renowned dealers based in New York, Paris, Belgium, Chicago, and beyond. It is good to know that this fair remained as impressive and as innovative as it ever was. Collectors, designers, and everyone with savoir fair, recognize that this is truly a place designed for the well curated home. It is also an exciting fair, even for “the discreet window shopper” with the most discerning taste in fine art and decorative arts. The International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show opened on Friday, October 25 and runs through Thursday, October 31st at the Park Avenue Armory, (67th Street and Park Avenue).

The show hours are: 11:00 am to 7:30 pm (except for Sunday and Thursday when the fair closes at 6:00 pm). General Admission is $20. For complete fair and exhibitor information and highlights, please visit: www.haughton.com.

Vyna St. Phard
Tom Cashin, Vyna St. Phard, Jay Johnson (at the 1stdibs Designer Breakfast)
Nina Reeves and Carole Gratale
Julia Hartshorn

Phoenix Ancient Art

Cole Harrell
 
Images by High End Weekly™
All rights reserved

NYC’s Top Asian Galleries

Top: A rare and simply elegant Chinese fan from Nicholas Grindley. Bottom: Forefront, a surprisingly “modern” pottery vase from Carole Davenport, Leigh Morse Gallery
Asia Week New York, March 15-23, 2013
 
The Collector’s Choice
 
On Wednesday morning, a small press army went on an all-day jaunt, viewing several of the best exhibits that were included in the Asia Week New York tour. I nearly spent close to 12 hours exploring a total of 30 galleries*. Why? Mostly for the love of art, of course. You may recall that last year I wrote the first write up of my Asia Week experience (I even took a small group of art enthusiasts on a small private tour afterwards). But for those of you who are new to the blog, let me explain exactly what Asia Week is about, and what to expect when you visit these magical exhibitions. Are you ready to peek inside 23 of the most illustrious Asian art galleries in New York City?


All of the participating galleries boast an impressive collection of antiques, as well as a vast number of fine and decorative arts which included traditional and contemporary artwork from China, India, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The price of these objets d’art range from the few thousands to the staggering millions. Asia Week is a spectacular time in this town, and it offers a rare opportunity for collectors, art students, philosophers, or art enthusiasts to view and collect the rarest, and most unusual museum quality Asian paintings, statues, screens, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and textiles.

“Asia Week New York 2013 is a nine-day celebration of Asian art throughout metropolitan New York, with exhibitions, auctions and special events presented by 43 leading international Asian art specialists, five major auction houses, and 17 museums and cultural institutions.” Asia Week New York.  To inquire further about the pieces shown on this post, please feel free to email  me directly.

* Overall there are 43 international galleries participating.

KAPOOR GALLERIES
Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art
Korean Works of Art & Contemporary
Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art
Japanese and Chinese Works of Art & Contemporary
Chinese and Japanese Works of Art * Contemporary
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
Carlo Cristi
Japanese Works of Art & Contemporary
Jewels from the Asian World represented by Valentina Gallery (speciality Indian and Himalayan Southeast Asian Art

Eye Bead Agate Necklace, Bactrian 2500 – 1800 B.C.
Mounted in gold during the 20th Century
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
Dai Ichi: Chinese and Japanese Works of Art & Contemporary
Contemporary Japanese art at Dai Ichi Arts

Michael Hughes specializes in Chinese Works of Art & Paintings
Koo New York’s specialities are Korean Works of Art & Contemporary

Buddhist Art: Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
CarltonRochell

Chinese Works of Art
James Lally

A Cizhou incised and painted large meiping, Jin Dynasty (A.D. 1115-1234)
The Song dynasty was the Golden Age of Chinese Ceramics. The elegant vessels with subtly colored glazes produced by Chinese potters during the Song are among the most beautiful ceramics ever made.
Japanese Works of Art & Contemporary
Nozomi Hope: Mario Motoko 2011, pair of 2 fold screens

Gold dust: Detail work of a screen from Japanese artist, Maio Motoko
Lesley Kehoe at the Fuller Building

Chinese Works of Art
Chinese Works of Art
Japanese Works of Art & Contemporary
Katherine Martin
The gallery’s featured exhibition is on The Nightlife: Entertainment of the Floating World
Japanese Works of Art & Contemporary

A massive and rare Tokyo School ivory carving of a shell collector. Signature undeciphered. Meiji Period

Okimono sculpture in the form of a catfish with shakudo eyes swimming among water reeds, its whiskers waving to the side. Late Meiji/Taishoo era, circa 1910-1920
In business since the 1970s, Flying Cranes, located at the Manhattan Art & Antiques Center, specializes in Japanese arts from the late 19th century, the period known to connoisseurs as the Meiji Period of the Golden Age of Japan

DALTON + SOMARE at PACE PRIMITIVE
Dalton + Somare: Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
Dalton + Somare debut their “After Alexander” works of art from Hellenized Asia, Indo Greek, Greek Bactrian and Gandharan works of art
Dalton + Somare
Chinese Works of Art & Contemporary
Chinese Works of Art & Contemporary
Vyna St. Phard at M. Sutherland Fine Art
Photos credit High End Weekly™