Events – Page 4 – High End Weekly™

The Weekender: Elizabeth Taylor auction featured at Christie’s

The auction house devoted all 300,000 square feet of its facility to this museum-quality exhibit of Elizabeth Taylor’s Collections of jewelry, fashion, accessories, fine art, film memorabilia, costumes and decorative items. What can one expect to see at this once in a lifetime exhibition which is divided into four major sections?

Left: La Peregrina, a natural pearl, diamond and ruby necklace by Cartier. Right: Pair of Natural Pearl and diamond ear pendants by Bulgari

The Diamond Room: Which offers an up-close tour through Ms. Taylor’s most iconic jewelry, boasts an exquisite 33.19 carat D-color stunner, called the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. The Lifetime Achievement Room: A special display of Elizabeth Taylor’s impressive honors and humanitarian awards, intermingled with memorabilia and costumes from her many beloved film roles.

The Icon’s Closet is an awe-inspiring walk through. It is a treasure trove of flawlessly-maintained haute couture and ready-to wear fashion and accessories (many of which the actress brought herself with her own money, and without help from a throng of stylists), with over 200 designer handbags alone. Finally, The Art Gallery – the first comprehensive exhibition of her most impressive fine art collection, includes master works by Van Gogh (valued at $12 Million, it is the priciest item from the entire collection), Frans Hals, Degas, Pissaro, Renoir, and Warhol.

The auction is expected to exceed $50 million in total (I believe that the actual realized figure will quadruple that number). Tickets to the landmark exhibition are on sale now at www.christies.com/elizabethtaylorviews. Portion of the profits generated by the exhibition admissions, events and select publications related to the exhibitions will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, which was founded by the beloved actress in 1991. Ms. Taylor passed away on March 23 from congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

Christie’s

20 Rockefeller Plaza

New York City

212-636-2000

The Essentials: The little black dresses
Photos credited to: Associated Press

Lot 347

A Tiziani black velvet ‘Scorpio’ evening cape labeled ‘Tiziani Roma’, 1968-1969

Estimate: $2,000-$3,000

Lot 52

“The Night of the Iguana Brooch”

A diamond and multi-gem brooch by Jean Shlumberger, Tiffany & Co, circa 1964

Gift from Richard Burton upon the occasion of the premiere of the film Night of the Iguana, August 11, 1964

Estimate: $200,000-$300,000

Lot 1758

A black patent leather shoulder bag labeled ‘Lanvin’, probably 2000s, with an acrylic green marbled handle, magnetic closure and chunky goldtone chain strap, with a black ribbon tie and an interior integrated swivel mirror: 8″ High, 12″ Wide, 3″ Deep

Estimate $300-$500

Photos courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2011

Making a Statement

Photo credited to: Getty Images

The jaw-dropping Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry Collection which is up for auction this month, finally made its grand appearance at Christie’s. The show is open to the public tomorrow, Saturday, December 3, and ends on Monday, December 12. Among other things, this exhibit reveals that not only was Dame Taylor a genuine Hollywood icon, but she was also a connoisseur of art and fashion, and of course, her lifetime passion – jewelry. The auction starts on the evening of December 13 with Elizabeth Taylor’s most iconic jewelry. Orianne Collins, jewelry designer and owner of OC Concept Store, hosted the preview event at Christie’s (check out my interview with Ms. Collins).

Photo credit: Getty Images

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.

The Weekender: Marlborough Gallery — Le Cabinet de Curiosités

On November 12, my friend and I attended a VIP Preview of Le Cabinet de Curiosités in Tribeca. The swanky celebration was a combined effort between the Marlborough and Steinitz galleries. It was a rare occasion, to say the least. It’s not often that you’ll see a map table from Napoleon Bonaparte coupled with a mechanical insects collection (with metal bodies covered with the patina of a forgone age), and Manolo Valdés’ sculptures.But somehow the installation, under the supervision of renowned interior designer and architect, Thierry W Despond, came together beautifully.

Thierry W Despont

18th Century paneled rooms from the Steinitz Collection were flown over from France to accompany pieces of furniture and objects such as Renaissance bull’s head, 17th Century Japanese lacquered trunk, as well as art works from his artist friends, Manolo Valdez and Claudio Bravo. When I entered the first of these three rooms, I was quite taken by Claudio’s “tied papers” and “bookcases” which from afar looked real, but in reality was nothing more than segments of blank, raw, exotic woods, coyly implementing trompe l’oeil to comment on the use of books as fetish objects of aesthetic pleasure. This is a thought-provoking, and irresistible exhibition that is not to be missed.

Le Cabinet de Curiosités

November 15, 2011 – January 31, 2012

New York Mercantile Exchange

6 Harrison Street

New York City

Insects Collection from Thierry W Despond

right: Princess Firyal of Jordan

Manolo Valdes Sculpture, Mariposas doradas II

“For many years I have been consumed by the idea of creating a natural history museum of my artistic universe… dedicated to the accumulation of imaginary planets and their inhabitants, paintings, sculptures… brought back from my artistic Beagle journey.”

Thierry W Despont

Ondine de Rothschild

Prosper and Martine Assouline

Claudio Bravo Aluminums, Aluminios

photo courtesy of Malborough Gallery

Thierry W Despont’s Sculture

photos courtesy of Billy Farrell

This Week in New York

Tambaran
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
4 PM – 8 PM

The Macklowe Gallery

Tuesday, October 8, 2011

6 PM – 8 PM

667 Madison Avenue

(between 60th and 61st Streets)

New York, New York 10065

Although I’m partial to Art Deco, I admire the fact than Art Nouveau represented a period of artistic expression of feminine liberation in fin-de-siècle Paris. I mean, back then women were freed from restrictive, corseted fashions and suddenly were experiencing the freedom of movement that public transportation and bicycles provided. Many of us can easily agree that Art Nouveau celebrated this new kind of woman.

Marking its 40th year on Madison Avenue, Macklowe Gallery is presenting a landmark exhibition of Art Nouveau sculpture, consisting of nearly 300 examples dating from 1880 to 1914. We were told that curators Lloyd and Benjamin Macklowe spent over two years assembling a collection of the world’s finest examples, including approximately 100 works borrowed from private collections, making this the greatest exhibition of Art Nouveau sculpture since the Paris World’s Fair of 1900. In conjunction with the show, Macklowe Gallery will publish a lavishly illustrated and deeply researched book entitled Dynamic Beauty: Sculpture of Art Nouveau Paris, featuring a foreword by Benjamin Macklowe.

NY Stone Manhattan

Thursday, November 10, 2011

6:30 PM – 9 PM

30 West 21 Street
New York, New York

Pad, NY

Friday, November 11 – Monday, November 14, 2011

Everyday from 11 AM – 8 PM

Park Avenue Armory

(67th Street)

New York, New York

Boutique Design New York

November 13 – 14, 2011

Jacob Javits Center

North Hall

More than 3,000 designers, architects, purchasers and developers,

along with hotel owners and operators, will attend Boutique Design New York

Someone To Watch Over Me

In the movie Someone To Watch Over Me, Mini Rogers plays Claire Gregory, a wealthy Manhattan socialite whose life is threatened after she witnesses a murder, but don’t worry, her character soon gets protected by Mike Keegan who is played by Tom Berenger, who ended up falling in love with her. The story develops into a very interesting one. The score is exceptional and the photography and set decoration leave more than inspiration – and allot to the imagination.

The architecture of the prewar upper east side apartment of Claire’s residence inspired the acclaimed designer, Thomas O’Brien, to create a haven of graciously scaled furniture, and well placed antiques. What I loved about the space the most was its modern feel, even though Thomas used his own designs for Hickory Furniture which are traditionally-inspired. The overall introduction of patterns and layers, and the soothing color combination he used to elevate the space to a new height was beautiful and very much in line with the other designers’ decor. The guest room will remain one of my all time favorite room. I loved the contrasting patterns he used in that small space, which often felt like a warm cocoon of love.

For additional highlights on the other designers’ rooms, please go to the Wall Street Journal story on Scene-Stealing Decor.

Library

Living Room (Details)

photos by Max Kim-Bee

Kelly Wearstler on Five

The grande dame of west coast interior design, Kelly Wearstler has now extended her empire to fashion. The tastemaker opened her design boutique at the legendary Bergdorf Goodman in the Fall of 2007 to thousands of adoring fans, and discriminating retail shoppers. Now she’s following up on the evolution of her brand with a refined, elegant, and low-key ready-to-wear line on 5F. Her clothing collection and accessories are moderately high-end, and perfect for the young, modern social climber who’s looking for that extra edge without being too garish about it. Kelly Wearstler, an award-winning interior designer, is not only highly regarded among her peers, but she is also widely recognized in the press.

Kelly Wearstler, Michael Bruno and Linda Fargophoto by High End Weekly™

Wearstler was named one of the style leaders in 2010 by Town & Country; honored as one of House Beautiful’s best designers; recognized for her interior design work by Bon Appetit; dubbed one of the design world’s top tastemakers by House & Garden; named one of the elite “Design 100” by Time Style & Design; and designated as one of the top 25 trendsetters of the year by Modern Bride.

The Ready-to-Wear and accessories lines

Bergdorf Goodman, 5F

Craig Warfield, Vyna, and Kelly Wearstler

photo by High End Weekly™

TimeCrafters at The New York Times Center

Looking back: The TimeCrafters in New York

It pays to bear in mind that this was the very first luxury watchmaking fair, and how successful it turned out to be. Worldwide, watch lovers will soon be making The TimeCrafters a yearly destination.

The Bulgari’s booth was admired for its simplicity, which is just as well since their watches certainly are not! I loved how they got the New Zealand’s ALL BLACKS to star in their short film, and introduced their newer masterpiece (with the team’s namesake).

Baume & Mercier continues to promote, hardily, their Hamptons lifestyle by the beach with their new creation. Their space was truly cozy. Surely this picture does not convey enough how charming it was.

Great displays of antique watches in the first floor level.

Opening Party

Dan D’Errico Photography
New York Times Center

The Weekender: ICFF 2011

P L A Y I N G w i t h D E S I G N

Sustainable designs are in demand, and designers delivered. Last weekend at Jacob Javits, the design industry gathered together to preview the latest efforts from furniture makers, carpet designers, textiles and lighting designers – and then some. From the looks of things, sustainable designs did reigned supreme. I came across some strong designs from neighboring Brooklyn artists, and once again, it made me realized that when it comes to good designs, New York still has a strong ground to stand on.

However, after a few short walks down the aisles, this sense of déjà vu quickly came over and I started to get bored, until I saw something that was completely refreshing! The playful designs of Austrian designer, Philipp Bruni.

Multidimensional thinking, clever ideas and a manifold background are Philipp Bruni’s keys to success. It’s evident that being a creative individual, a mechanical engineer, an economist and a craftsman at the same time is the fundamental that allows Bruni to constantly come up with strong, new ideas and further to realize them as expressive and convincing designs. Refreshing, indeed!

Studio Via F. Burlamacchi 12, 20135 Milano

design@philippbruni.com
www.philippbruni.com

To purchase the Pinocchio Billiard Edition, please contact
The Augarten Porcelain Manufactory in Vienna
www.augarten.at

The young and upcoming Austrian designer Philipp Bruni has been building his studio in the design metropolis Milan since 2006. For this year’s show, Philipp created a series of design objects called PINOCCHIO Billiard Edition. Pinocchio has a long nose. He is an adventurer. If he falls down, he immediately gets up. He is a tumbler, ladies and gentlemen. He is definitely cheeky: if he gets nudged he nudges as well. Instantly, I became drawn to his designs because of their cheerfulness. They are unpretentious and likable.

Out On The Town

P E O P L E & P L A C E S

The Kota Ancestors Opening Reception
by Bernard Dulon at Friedman & Vallois

Mr Bernard Dulon is pausing in front of an extremely rare double-sided ancestor reliquary figure. It stands adjacent to two astonishing and very old male and female effigies that are completely covered in hammered metal of Bakota origin.

Photo courtesy Remy Amezcua for Friedman & Vallois

Mr. Dulon has published an exhibition catalog in which he speaks of collecting and exhibiting Kota Art over the years, and he specializes in Tribal Art in Paris. The Kota Ancestors exhibition held at Friedman & Vallois will be shown in Galerie Bernard Dulon in Paris during Parcours des Mondes Gallery walk from the 6th to the 11th of September 2011 in Saint Germain des Près.

Photo courtesy Remy Amezcua for Friedman & Vallois

Kota Ndasa reliquary figure – Congo, 19th Century.

Photo courtesy Remy Amezcua for Friedman & Vallois

Mrs. Jacqueline Trouillot Amezcua, and VSP

Mrs. Jacqueline Trouillot Amezura, Mr. Michael McConkey,

Mr. Franck Hall, and and Mr. Remy Amezcua

Mr. Bernard Dulon dedicates this exhibition to the memory of the anonymous artists who invented a flamboyant architectural style which still attracts and fascinates beyond geographical and cultural boundaries.

The Kota Ancestors on view now until June 11, 2011

Friedman & Vallois

27 East 67 Street

New York, NY 10065

Tel: 212.517.3820
www.vallois.com

Georgetti’s party at The Plaza Hotel Penthouse

Breathtaking views from the $35 million penthouse’s master bedroom

Ms. Adele Nino, and Mr. and Mrs. Arlati

Artemide’s party at the Andaz Hotel

Mr. Karim Rashid

Sous Chef, Mr. Gerard Spezio

Wanted Design at La Venue

photos by High End Weekly™

Poetry of Time at Van Cleef & Arpels

Mr. Larry Schaffer

Mr. Bartolomeo Bellati

Master watchmaker, Mr. Jean-Marc Wiederrech

Country Figures in the Metropolis

“There is a history in all men’s lives”

William Shakespeare

Henry IV, Part 2, Act 3, scene 1, line 75

Starting Wednesday, May 11, until Saturday, June 11, Friedman and Vallois, an art deco gallery in the upper east side, will present one of the most comprehensive and illustrious exhibit on tribal art called The Kota Ancestors. In view of the fact that some museums and galleries in the city have all together ceased to feature African and Asian art, and instead opted for more contemporary art work (this is mainly due to the high cost incurred by most African and Asian exhibits), I can comfortably say that this display is a breath of fresh air, and it will certainly attract some of the most ardent art lovers.

The Kota Ancestors Exhibition is from the private collection of Bernard Dulon, an art collector, and dealer from Paris. Dulon will be at the gallery during the opening reception on Thursday, May 12th between 4 – 8 PM.

Who were the Kota people?

They were made up of numerous smaller groups of folks who practiced ancestor worship. That simple fact was the foundation of their art. Throughout eastern Gabon, this sort of thing was widely practiced, and their art forms are connected in one way or another to the veneration or storage of ancestral remains. In some respect, what makes Kota art so different is the fact that they are unique and distinctive, as they are made of reliquary figures with stylized heads covered in copper sheeting.

When you visit the Friedman & Vallois gallery during the Kota Ancestors Exhibit, you will step into the world of a very old, and revered tribe of people, who were both remarkable and unique. Altogether the collection is made up of twenty pieces from the nineteenth Century culled from an esteemed private collection.

Friedman & Vallois

27 East 67 Street
New York, NY 10065
212.517.3820
www.vallois.com
www.expertiseartafricain.com

This exhibit coincide with the inaugural of the Tribal Art New York/Africa Oceania Americas from Thursday, May 12 – Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 11am – 9pm. Th participating galleries are:

Tambaran Gallery: 5 East 82nd Street, NYC
Alaska on Madison: 1065 Madison Avenue, NYC
John Molloy: 49 East 78 Street, NYC
John Giltsoff at Mallett: 929 Madison Avenue, NYC
Bernard Dulon at Friedman & Vallois: 27 East 67 Street, NYC
Galerie Schoffel-Valluet: 34 East 67 Street
NASSER & Co: 34 East 67 Street, NYC
Bruce Frank Gallery: 215 West 83 Street, NYC
Pace Primitive: 32 East 57 Street, NYC
www.aoany.com

KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE
Mahongwe people Gabon 19th century wooden frame
with copper and brass plates

Tribes of the Kota Obamba group would place a copper and brass plated wooden figure on top of their ossuaries which then took the generic name of mbulu ngulu (literally basket with a figure). Each piece was given its own name, thus implying an actual attempt at physical portrait.

KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE
Obamba people Gabon 19th Century wooden frame
with copper and brass plates

RELIQUARY FIGURE OR MBULU NGULU
Kota-Obamba people, Gabon 19th Century wooden frame
with brass and copper

The Fine Art and Antiques Show

The Spring Show at the Park Avenue Armory

Now 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 Avenue

New York, NY 10065
212-744-8180