In search of vision, we looked to the sea. In search of inspiration, we studied the elements of nature. In search of renewal, we turned toward the light. In search of oneself, we yearned for home. - Michael GardnerOnce we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit. - E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) Seeing is feeling with the eyes. Embrace the light. —Axel Vervoordt Axel Vervoordt " Living with Light" is one of the most inspiring books of design I have seen in quite a long time... Axel Vervoordt's work continues to reduce rooms to their very essence, without the expense of the human touch, soul, and his imagination. Photography is by Laziz Hamani and the text by Michael Gardner... Where do we begin? At the beginning I suppose, but perhaps we've known all along? That is our biggest fear, and our greatest hope... Books like this give us this gift of seeing the light. Thank you Axel. - David John © Axel Vervoordt: Living with Light by Axel Vervoordt, Flammarion, 2013. Images are © Laziz Hamani, used with permission of publisher. "The inspired interiors featured in this book convey the concepts that compel the Vervoordt design team most, including time, space, and a strong luminous presence. Whether a historic estate in the country or modern home in the city, these projects are united by stories told through the serenity and sensibility of light. The Vervoordt Company creates a refreshing sense of awakening—with soft light, a clean palette, and arrangements of collected objects—that capture a pure and peaceful energy. Photographer Laziz Hamani brings into focus the details and carefully constructed interiors that form each striking setting and mood, many of which exhibit a tranquility that can be traced to the Vervoordt appreciation of Japanese Zen."."Art is the elimination of the unnecessary." - Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) © Axel Vervoordt: Living with Light by Axel Vervoordt, Flammarion, 2013. Images are © Laziz Hamani A mentor once told me that one of the pleasures of books is that they satisfy one of our fundamental curiosities: “We read in order to find out how other people think.” I believe that. I also believe that a very similar logic applies to the beauty of a book like this one. Driven by a cautious curiosity, we review these pages with a desire to learn how an interior designer thinks, and to enter the private lives of others to see how they live. It’s a window into the minds and lives of others, with the purpose of sharing experiences, knowledge, and light. - Michael Gardener------------- All photography, quotes and text taken from the "Living with Light," with permission of publisher. More information on this book here... In search of vision, we looked to the sea. In search of inspiration, we studied the elements of nature. In search of renewal, we turned to... Read more » 9:51 AM
Door handle & knob by Italian-born architect and designer Davide Rizzo "There is no typical Davide Rizzo design. The word “standard” is not part of his repertoire. Nevertheless, each and every turnkey concept carries his signature: enigmatic avant-gardism that revives the glamour of the 1920s and ’30s with “live” materials. Yet Davide Rizzo’s style is neither plush nor dated, but modern. He is inspired by the formidable architecture of Eastern Europe and the awe-inspiring objects seen on his travels through the former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. On his journeys to Central America he was particularly impressed by the works of Mexican architect and Pritzker laureate Luis Barragán. No doubt the impact of these impressions provides an explanation for his symbolically powerful designs that articulate a strong message. Contemporary trends, however, exert little influence on his work."more of Davide Rizzo's work here. ---------------- Door handle & knob by Italian-born architect and designer Davide Rizzo "There is no typical Davide Rizzo design. The word “stan... Read more » 6:30 AM
Seeing Things Invisible "Bess taught himself to paint by copying the still - lives and landscapes of artists he admired, such as Vincent Van Gogh and Albert Pinkham Ryder. From early childhood and throughout his life, Bess experienced intense hallucinations, which both frightened and intrigued him; in 1946, he began to incorporate images from his visions into his paintings. "Hammer Museum presents Forrest Bess: Seeing Things Invisible , focusing on the remarkable accomplishments of this under - recognized American painter. A singular figure in American art who experienced significant recognition and painful isolation during his life — and whose fame has waxed and waned since his death — Forrest Bess (1911 - 19 77) has recently become the subject of keen new interest. The first museum retrospective devoted to Bess in more than twenty years, Forrest Bess: Seeing Things Invisible present s 52 of the artist’s visionary paintings, dating from 1946 to 1970. This exhibition also includes a selection of correspondence, photographs, and articles by and about Bess chosen by artist Robert Gober for the 2012 Whitney Biennial as well as additional extended labels written by Gober . "Self - described “visionary” artist Forrest Bess (1911 - 1977) is a unique figure in the history of American art. For most of his artistic career, Bess lived an isolated existence in a fishing camp outside of Bay City, Texas. He eked a meager living fishing and selling bait by day. By night and during the off - season he read, wrote, and painted prolifically, creating an extraordinary body of mostly small - scale canvases rich with enigmatic symbolism. Despite his remoteness, Bess made himself known in the 1950s in New York (then the undisputed center of the art world). The prominent artist and dealer Betty Parsons represented Bess, dedicating six solo exhibitions to his work between 1949 and 1967. "---------------------- Seeing Things Invisible "Bess taught himself to paint by copying the still - lives and landscapes of artists he admired, such as Vin... Read more » 11:36 PM
Tomorrow - Elmgreen & Dragsetat the Victoria and Albert Museum'Often your audience will create and elaborate on the artworks in a much more interesting way than you ever could do yourself - they make it wilder, more romantic, sentimental or perverse than your intentions were to start with' - Michael Elmgreen October 1 2013 - 2 January 2014. "The V&A has commissioned leading contemporary artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset to create a major site-specific installation in the former Textile Galleries. This ambitious exhibition will comprise a stage set for an unrealised drama to create an unexpected encounter for the museum visitor. 'Tomorrow' will transform these galleries into an apartment belonging to a fictional, elderly and disillusioned architect. The domestic setting will appear like a set for an unrealised play. A script, written by the artists, will be available for visitors as a printed book. Visitors will be able to explore the apartment, sit on the sofa and read the inhabitant’s books and magazines. Throughout their career the artists have redefined the way in which art is presented and experienced, raising issues around social models and spaces, and prompting a re-thinking of the status quo. This ambitious exhibition will feature objects from the V&A's collections alongside works by the artists and items sourced from antique markets to create an unexpected encounter for the museum visitor."You cover up the lens when you're dreaming Coming off of the stage, you know you will We'll figure it out with enough time (The Closest)Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, based in Berlin and London, have worked together as an artist duo since 1995. They have held numerous solo exhibitions in art institutions worldwide, including Serpentine Gallery and Tate Modern in London, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam, ZKM Museum of Modern Art in Karlsruhe, The Power Plant in Toronto, MUSAC in Léon, and Kunsthalle Zürich. Their work has been included in the Berlin, Sao Paulo, Gwangju, Moscow, Singapore, Istanbul and Liverpool biennials, and in 2009 they received a special mention for their exhibition The Collectors in the Nordic and Danish Pavilions at the 53rd Venice Biennale. Amongst their most well known works are Prada Marfa – a full scale replica of a Prada boutique in the middle of the Texan desert, and Short Cut – a car and a caravan breaking through the ground which was first shown in Milan and now resides in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. All photos and press info is taken from V and M here.Victoria and Albert Museum : The world’s greatest museum of art and design----------- Tomorrow - Elmgreen & Dragset at the Victoria and Albert Museum 'Often your audience will create and elaborate on the artworks in a ... Read more » 9:51 AM
Tom Scheerer Decorates "In an age when houses exhibiting unchecked exuberance, high drama, or conspicuous luxury get all the attention, leading interior designer Tom Scheerer has cultivated a more restrained brand of chic, a look he modestly describes as “cheerful” and “no nonsense.” But it is so much more.""Tom Scheerer Decorates" arrived via Vendome Press last month, and I find myself already constantly referencing this book for clients, bookmarking pages. I must admit I was not familiar with Tom Scheerer's work until I spent a long afternoon paging through this collection of sun-drenched sculptural rooms that dabble with acid-tinged colored vignettes and layers of rattan galore. The homes captured by acclaimed interiors photographer Francesco Lagnese have a sense of a secluded international escape, with layers of time, ease, and pure confidence. - David JohnMimi Read writes about architecture and design for the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The New Yorker, House Beautiful, Elle Décor, O, The Oprah Magazine, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and many other publications. She lives in New Orleans. Francesco Lagnese is an internationally acclaimed interiors and travel photographer who appears regularly in Condé Nast Traveler US, UK, and Italy, Vanity Fair, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Town & Country Travel, and Architectural Digest. He lives in New York.Go to Vendome Press for more interior books. Thank you to Vendome for the press copy. ---------- Tom Scheerer Decorates "In an age when houses exhibiting unchecked exuberance, high drama, or conspicuous luxury get all the attention,... Read more » 9:37 AM
Mads WestrupSketches and Ballads for an openly aware Europe 13.09 – 27.10.2013"The key to understanding what is going on needs to be found in the merciless reality of evolution. Organisms fundamentally live with challenges and pressure in their environment. As an answer they develop solutions as they go along. Solutions that are built on top of the construction that already exists." Neither of us remainNeither of us remain So let my way you say Swept away And off the shore Neither of us remain On the floor I know you want this More and more So let my way you say What I adore (King Krule, Ocean Bed)via here Mads Westrup Sketches and Ballads for an openly aware Europe 13.09 – 27.10.2013 "The key to understanding what is going on needs to be ... Read more » 7:51 AM
Scott Olson"It’s not labored, it’s quick gestures. They are defiantly abstract. I’ve never felt pressure to be specific about meaning. I’ve already created a sort of context; they are paintings, they are abstract, they are an investment in materials and craft. Take it from there. Enjoy it." Also known as "there are many ways to construct a home." "Letting yourself loose control a little, like interlocking puzzle pieces that just arrive through the working process. I’m picking certain shapes and colors and a lot of them are intuitive, just going through and feeling a sense of a color or an interest of a particular color. I don’t think colors for me have a lot of specific meaning. For me it’s just about this dance between color and their relationships to each other. Finally what you see is just the result of a very joyful improvisation that happens. It’s not labored, it’s quick gestures. They are defiantly abstract. I’ve never felt pressure to be specific about meaning. I’ve already created a sort of context; they are paintings, they are abstract, they are an investment in materials and craft. Take it from there. Enjoy it. I love the way these paintings look in relation to other contemporary art, because some can be very flashy, quickly and cheaply put together, things are very slip shot and that’s the aesthetic right now. So I’m investing a lot of care and precision into these things and that suits me." - Scott OlsonOverduin and Kite at FIAC Booth 1.G07 Scott Olson October 24th - 27th, 2013 Grand Palais Paris, France---------- Scott Olson "It’s not labored, it’s quick gestures. They are defiantly abstract. I’ve never felt pressure to be specific about meanin... Read more » 4:36 PM
Gabriella Crespi vs. Arthur EspenetMy home has no shade Nothing to sustain me (Glasser, "Shape") Gabriella CrespiCoffee table, Italy, 1970s Bamboo, brass, glass Stamped signature Arthur Espenet (1920 - 2006) Walnut low table, Bolinas, CA, 1968 Signed and dated----------- Gabriella Crespi vs. Arthur Espenet My home has no shade Nothing to sustain me (Glasser, "Shape") Gabriella Crespi Coffee t... Read more » 5:45 PM
Beyond Chic: Great Fashion Designers at Home by Ivan Terestchenko Shape shifter. Thousands in the air, Moving as one. Magic flocks the reaches, I'm speechless on the ground Black blizzard round a cold grey sun. Winter's on the way.A warm congratulations to Ivan Terestchenko for his latest book, "Beyond Chic" published by Vendome Press. Ivan's vision and photographic storytelling has been a huge influence on my work as an interior designer and writer. Looking forward to this. - David John"Some of the most important people in fashion—Chanel, Alaïa, Yves Saint Laurent, Pucci, Kenzo, and Missoni—are known for their public image and their iconic designs. But what kind of world have they cultivated behind closed doors? From France to Italy, from England to Morocco, come along on a private visit to the remarkable homes of couturiers, stylists, muses, and fashion personalities. Photographer Ivan Terestchenko shows the décor, works of art, and the personal collections of these legendary designers. Some interiors, such as Chanel’s apartment at 31 rue Cambon, are mythic, while others like those of Giorgio Armani’s châlet or Vanessa Seward, Azzaro’s head designer, are completely unconventional. From minimal (Nicole Farhi) to exotic (Franca Sozanni), to a deceptively simple French apartment (Loulou de La Falaise), this book explores the spaces and places created by some of fashion’s biggest names."A warm thank you to Vendome Press for the press release copy of this book.------------- Beyond Chic: Great Fashion Designers at Home by Ivan Terestchenko Shape shifter. Thousands in the air, Moving as one. Magic flocks the re... Read more » 9:23 PM
WestEdge Design Fair "the newest destination for design, the inaugural edition will feature a curated selection of 150 leading national and international brands offering design inspiration for interior and exterior environments. " lighting by New York based lighting company Apparatus at WestEdge DesignI am looking forward to WestEdge Design Fair that is opening this weekend in Santa Monica. Favorite companies based in New York, Denmark, Seattle, such as BDDW, Egg Collective, Apparatus, & Tradition, Hay Denmark, Iacoli & McAllister, and Token, to name a few, will be showing their crafted furniture & lighting at this first time design fair. Organized by Troy Hanson and Megan Reilly, who I met at last year's Architectural Digest Home Show in New York. Don't miss this event! See you at the opening party on Thursday! - David John WestEdgeDesign Fair, the newest destination for modern design, will premiere at The Barker Hangar October 3-6, 2013. This four-day event will cater to the trade, press and public and will feature 150 exhibiting brands, many making their West Coast debut. Attendees will find design inspiration and be able to shop from the best in furniture, lighting, kitchen, bath, outdoor furnishings and other products for the home. The fair features a full design experience, complete with custom installations, a series of special events and notable discussions, panels, and workshops on various design topics and trends. Megan Reilly and Troy Hanson, WestEdge Design Fair co-founders, bring 25 years of collective experience managing and producing some of the design industry’s most important events including the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), NeoCon, NeoCon West and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. for a full exhibitor list go here. for a complete list of the seminars go here. ----------------- WestEdge Design Fair "the newest destination for design, the inaugural edition will feature a curated selection of 150 leading nation... Read more » 7:36 AM