December 2009 Archives
The ultimate Christmas gift for "the accessorator" is .........either one of these two hand-embroidered tapestries by world-famous artist Takashi Murakami!!!! Created in collaboration with Louis Vuitton, each is a limited edition of 20. The tapestries were hand woven in India, from New Zealand wool, using the lock stitching method, using about 20 knits per square centimeter. They have been exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Vuitton store in Tokyo, Design Miami in Basel Switzerland, the Hong Kong Museum, the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin ........ and next month they will be at the Louis Vuitton store on the Champs-Elysées, Paris. The square carpet is titled "Pink Time" and the round carpet is"Flowerball," each is available in two sizes ...... unfortunately delivery time is 4 months ...... but you can always print this page and wrap it in a divine box!!!!
Obviously a "major gift" ........ the only response would be a gigantic "THANK YOU", in sky writing over Manhattan!!!!!!!!!!
"Ideally the pieces will work on many levels. The toys themselves interest me in their own right as mini-sculptures by unknown and uncredited artists. Mostly I use the toys abstractly as forms with which to build muscle bone or internal or external organs but all types of human pursuits can be referred to and represented through them -things loved or hated- things used and carried as tools etc etc. They provide interest in surface detail wilst making their contribution to the totalities. The toys also provide a moving history of fads and fashions as they pass through the media and our awareness, temporarily significant and then forgotten." Robert Bradford
It appears Bradford is very much in touch with his inner child, and is not afraid to share it with all of us!!!!!! I would love to find one of these fabulous puppies under my Christmas tree ..... and would be thrilled to share it with my inner child too!!!!!!!
The "accessorator's" favorite gifts are books or works of art, particularly works on paper, and this project is a combination of the two!!!! London designer Tim Fishlock has created this "limited-edition book presented in a screen-printed box featuring twenty removable large format prints by world-renowned artists." The edition was created exclusively for Habitat, UK and is titled 50by70. The project is limited to 4000 boxes, and the title refers back to the size of the prints (50cmx70cm), which are meant to fit into a standard size frame.
"The idea behind the book is to give people the chance to own beautiful, limited edition artwork by established and up-and-coming artists and then be able to put it straight into a 50by70cm frame. A lot of time was spent putting together a diverse and hugely talented mix
of image-makers. 50x70 is as much about introducing the work of established artist to a new audience as it is show-casing the skills of the new kids on the block." Tim Fishlock
Artists include ........ Patrick Hughes, Kevin Cummins, Zeloot, Tim Fishlock, Tsang Kin-Wah, Alex Trochut, Adrian Johnson, Flag Jorge Chamorro, Julian House, Stephen Zirwes, Merijn Hos, John Offenbach, Phunk, Shepard Fairey, Denis Darzacq, Sroop Sunart, Aarons Johnson, Anthony Burril, and Basso & Brooke.
I finally made it to the most divine new store in Miami Beach ..... The Webster ..... it is absolutely fabulous and beyond chic!!!! And I promise to tell you all about it in January .....but.....for now, it's where I found this collection of bags, aptly titled "You Can't Judge A book By Its Cover," designed by Olympia Le-Tan, and heard them scream ..... "BUY ME"!!!
Books, books, books ....my most favorite gift .... and here they are as my most favorite "accessory" .....a hangbag!!!! This duet is beyond my wildest dream!!! Olympia has repurposed the covers of 21 first-addition books into charming limited edition evening bags. The handmade "book bags," an edition of 16 of each, are embroidered with silk threads and have felt appliques. The base cloth is cotton canvas and they are lined in Liberty prints ..... a very, very quirky gift that would create a very "literary Christmas"!!!!!!!!
"I was thinking there were all these beautiful books around and they were being forgotten with everyone on the Internet, so I made it so that you can carry them around." Olympia Le-Tan
"The accessorator's" Christmas tree requires a Barbie doll under it and this limited edition Barbie, launched last week in Tokyo, is the chicest choice!!! Dressed for Christmas in "Jingle Flowers" by fashion designer Rei Kawakubo, of Comme des Garçons, Barbie is available at all Comme des Garçons stores world wide!!!!!
"For the first time, Barbie is dressed by Rei Kawakuba, and forms part of Jingle Flower, Comme des Garcons' new nonsense theme for the Xmas holidays. Wearing a sleeveless silk-lined floral dress in the Jingle Flowers, photo-style print graphic, which features a full asymmetrical-cut skirt that stands away from the body, this limited edition Barbie forms part of the Barbie Collector Platinum Label Collection, and comes in its own box featuring the Jingle Flowers print, and display stand."
Artist Gabriel Dishaw recycles old circuit boards, copper wires, and a variety of "useless, old junk" to create his favorite classic sneaker silhouettes in his newest series of Junk Art. The collection is called "Pentium" after Intel's chips.
"Using found objects from typewriters, adding machines and old computers, I take the items people no longer have use for and I carefully disassemble these items and then reassemble these together using metal wire creating my Junk Art.I begin each sculpture with an idea of how I can take these found pieces of useless metal and insignificant objects and create something that everyone can understand and relate to." Gabriel Dishaw
These wild and wacky "sneakers" are perfect for the man who really has everything ..... and truly needs nothing!!!!
Perfume, a classic Christmas gift has never looked like this!!! Hamburg based designer Alexa Lixfeld rarely follows the traditional mode. Her perfume collection, Frangrance, includes three unique scents, each with a different colored concrete top. The unexpected mix of the soft scent of fragrance and the harsh reality of concrete is stunning!!! I think these bottles are breathtaking eye candy, essential bathroom "accessorations"!!!
FRA EDP 001- This elegant and comforting fragrance combines cool elements. Off white
flowers like lily of the valley and jasmine with soothing light herbs and
refreshing white tea. A very special musk accord gives a unique character to
this valuable perfume.
FRA EDP 002- A unique natural fragrance that evokes the air scented by a sandalwood fan in
motion. Precious soft woody ingredients like sandalwood from East India,
cedar wood, patchouli and vetiver lead to warm balsamic accords of fir, tonka
bean, vanilla benzoe topped with a hint of jasmine and carrot seed oil.
FRA EDP 003- An exotic fresh fougere perfume with bergamot and rosmarine which collides
with strong woody oriental accords of patchouli and pepper. In its heart leads
into a dry down of spicy and sweet notes of vanilla and cinnamon.
The sculpture of Brazilian artist Barrão, exhibited at Galeria Laura Marsiaj, is compelling and touching, as well as quirky and off-kilter. It references pop and kitsch culture, while creating a new visual culture. Barrão allows the viewer complete freedom to create their own dialogue and narrative within the context of the work, while still wondering what the artist was thinking. The pieces access the history of the original objects, while giving them a new meaning and life in a new format. This dichotomy in the work is what creates its magic!!!!!"His works evince a curious spirit that enjoys taking objects apart and then sticking them back together in a way that confers a new sort of operation to them. With no regard for the household use or decorative function of these objects, Barrão disorders and destroys them, to then construct his artworks from their fragments." Galeria Fortes Vilaça press release October, 2009
The "accessorator" loves repurposed work, particularly made from fragments of old & new porcelain!!!!! I am enthralled by how something was one thing ...... and becomes something else. I think change is wonderful ....... for all of us and for objects!!!!
We know that the existence of the "printed word" is in question ...... starting with emails, blogs, on-line magazines, and kindles. Korean artist Airan Kang's project is a poignant message about our potential loss. Moving away from hard copy to digital images is made extremely apparent in this installation of "electronic Illuminated manuscripts," shown by the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery. Modern-day "illumination" has Airan appropriating existing books and converting them to resin-casted light boxes. Her exhibitions are usually thematic in concept, basing her projects around the context of information, where it is found ...... bookstores, reading rooms, or libraries. This particular installation is a cross section of her work, a "library" of sorts, where each volume is sold individually. The bottom image is a single work ..... a "stack" of Edgar Allan Poe's books.
This "accessorator" was awed by this installation ....... as a reader and collector of books, writer of text, magazine "junkie," and "blogger" it touches all parts of me. In addition, I have a particular affinity for book shelves, their design, and how to "prop" them ...... not to mention my relationship with "color." I'm left with a great deal to think about as a result of this work ....... and that's the goal of art ..... to make you think!!!!!
This incredible, unique and inspired site specific installation was created by Texas Collective OKAY MOUNTAIN and was commissioned by Arthouse. "Arthouse at the Jones Center is a non-profit, non-collecting, contemporary art space located in downtown Austin, Texas, whose mission is to create meaningful opportunities to investigate and experience the art of our time through exhibitions, programs, and commissions of new work."
The best description of the piece is by the artists who created it ........"Mixing absurdist humor with a fascination, with consumer culture, the Austin-based collective OKAY MOUNTAIN presents CORNER STORE, a fully immersive micro-convenience store that serves as a tongue-in-cheek critique of the art fair environment. Based on the eclectic and quirky independently-owed convenience marts found throughout Texas and the greater southwest region, the store offers fairgoers a variety of handmade products at "convenient" prices, thereby providing a memorable rest stop on the hours-long journey of the art fair trail."
Everything in the "mart" is a work of art, fabricated by the 11 artists living in Austin, Boston, and Chicago, that make up the collective. From the magazines that are for sale......the coffee machine, the frankfurter case, the pickle dispenser, and the ice machine......the cash register....as well as all the bags of chips & cookies, candy bars, and packs of cigarettes....and the various cans of food, boxes of detergent, and condom packages......the "building" and everything inside was created by the artists and is for sale!!! Creating the store and its contents to scale in Texas, trucking it to Florida, and then re-installing it in Miami in two days, was a monumental task!!!!
I think that my absolute favorite pieces are ........ the "stuffed" ash tray in front of the store .... the telephone outside ...... the door with the lost dog poster ....... and the printed newspaper insert advertising all of the contents of the store!!!! BUT, most of all, I wish I could bring the whole thing back to NYC ....... and install it in my backyard and invite everyone to do their Christmas shopping at the ultimate "pop-up" store ...... Arthouse's Corner Store!!!!
MARK DION- CROQUET SET
wood, metal, and book of rules
NATHAN MABRY- FIRE DRUM BARBEQUE
mirror polished oil drum
ANDREW MILLER- BIRDHOUSE
powder coated aluminum and wood
GEORG BASELITZ- EAGLE SCARECROW
copper, bronze, stainless steel painted black
ADAM McEWEN- HARE SWING
cast urethane, lacquer, rope
LEO VILLAREAL- BUCKYBALL
spun aluminum light sphere
Here are several pieces from Cumulus Studio's second collection of limited edition "functional outdoor objects." Nathalie Karg has once again worked with a collection of innovative and exiting contemporary artists, creating a second collection of unique outdoor pieces. (See Aug. 26, 2009 post for first collection)
How divine would it be to cook on Nathan Mabry's "drum barbeque" ...... or play croquet using Mark Dion's "coffin croquet set!!!" And of course, the birds in my backyard would be thrilled to live in Andrew Miller's "bird condominium," although they would certainly be scared of Georg Baselitz's "eagle scarecrow!!!!"
There is no one who loves to "accessorate" more than I do ....... and being able to add my garden to the list of places I can "prop" excites me beyond belief!!!!! And there are even more outdoor pieces on Nathalie's website to fill the whole yard!!!
By the way ........ rumor has it there is a POP UP in the works for this Christmas!!!! Will let you know where and when!!!
This installation, The Room Of Sublime Wallpaper (II), by Ellen Harvey was shown by Stephan Stayanov Gallery at the Nada Art Fair in Miami, this past week. Ellen was born in the United Kingdom and she currently lives and works in Brooklyn. She has exhibited extensively in the U.S. and internationally and she was included in the Whitney Biennial in 2008. I have always loved Ellen's work, particularly The New York Beautification Project, which has been documented in a book published by Gregory Miller & Co. in 2005. This installation is exceptional, it was one of the most innovative, exciting and thoughtful pieces that I saw last week ..... and I am thrilled to "accessorate" about it!!!.
"Looking into the room, the viewer sees a room wallpapered in newspaper containing a salon-style hanging of glowing landscape paintings that seem to move as the viewer approaches them. It is only upon entering the room that it becomes apparent that the "paintings" are in fact angled mirrors reflecting the hidden painted walls of the room and the illusion is shattered by the intrusion of the viewer's reflection. The most luxurious (hand-painted) and the poorest (newspaper) forms of wall paper are juxtaposed much as the escapist fantasy of art's reach for the sublime is disrupted by the alternately dire and ridiculous "news" of out time."
THE BRIEF AND HAPPY LIFE OF WORKSHOP WORKSHOP
Workshop Workshop, a factory and salon created by artist Jim Drain, poet P. Scott Cunningham and sculptor Graham Hudson, produces zines that respond to Design Miami/ itself - it's participants, objects, conversations, histories, narratives, belief-systems and forms. Even the detritus of the tent's construction has been put to use by Hudson, who is in the act of constructing the space using remnant lumber, rubber, plastic and furniture - anything the fair and the city (the larger fair) has cast off.
Drain, Cunningham and Hudson will draw from a rotating - and ever-expanding - crew of local and international artists, designers and writers, in order to produce as many zines as it can during the length of the fair, with as diverse a range of content as possible.
zine
1. An abbreviation of the word fanzine or magazine.
2. A handmade journal, with small circulation and hyperlocal aesthetics, that maximize the
two dimensional intersection of image and text, using both original and appropriated
content.
3. Any self-published work of minority interest reproduced via photocopier.
The above text is transcribed directly from the written description of this project at Design Miami. It was amazing to walk around this space, talk to the various "creators" involved and watch the daily creation of the zine. The space was divine in its unique chaos and the results were spectacular pieces of "art.". This "accessorator" was transfixed and impressed by the entire process!!!!
Mattia Bonetti table at Paul Kasmin Gallery
Tejo Remy Chest of Drawers XS at Droog
Kwangho Lee at Johnson Trading Company
Pedro Friedeberg at Sebastian + Barquet Gallery
Studio Job at VIVID Gallery
Pieke Bergmans at Droog
Julien Carretero at Moss
Design Miami 2009 has a wide selection of galleries, focusing on a variety of designers. I was thrilled to see the mix of iconic pieces, including the Hand Chairs from Pedro Friedeberg and the Drawer Chest from Tejo Remy ....... mixed with the work of newer designers, such as Julien Carretero and Kwangho Lee. Included within this range of design is a wide selection of process, technique, materials and silhouette. All of the work is unique, exciting and interesting ...... a delicious feast for the "accessorator's" eye!!!!!!!!!!!
Dutch designer, Maarten Baas is the 2009 Design Miami Designer of the Year. At 31 years old, his work already had an enormous impact on the design world. According to Design Miami Associate Director Wava Carpenter, "His work has transformed the way collectors understand the landscape of contemporary design and has opened the market to a younger generation of designers. Baas pioneered the way with his first collection Smoke , his graduation project which became an international design sensation through his collaboration with New York gallerist Murray Moss."
For Miami, Baas has created an installation that includes a selection of pieces from earlier collections (the 2 horizontal images above), as well as various items that have influenced his process. His Cabinet of Curiosities is completed by the newly fabricated piece, Real Time. This work features an outer shell of irregularly shaped welded steel, surrounding a refined, well polished wooden interior. According to Design Miami Director Ambra Medda, the new work looks "like abstract monsters behaving like cabinets." It could easily have been a drawing from Where The Wild Things Are come to life!!!!" Originally conceived as a collection of cabinets, the difficulty in creating this piece has resulted in Maarten's decision to only create this single, unique "monster!!!" As he said......."NEVER AGAIN!!!"
MORE TOMORROW FROM MIAMI!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm spending this week in Miami at the Miami/Basel Art Fair and Design Miami ...... as well as all of the other satellite fairs in town .......... So, be ready for fabulous "accessorations," starting tomorrow!!!!
"Droog will present its first house at Design Miami. Commissioned by Amsterdam housing association Ymere and designed by Tokyo-based Atelier Bow Wow, an understated façade conceals an extraordinary interior furnished with Droog products. Imagined for a single, a contemporary family or as a VIP guesthouse, the one-of-a-kind layout is essentially a seamless flow of spaces, each with its own functionality merging with circulation space. Private rooms such as the master and optional guest bed, the bath, the balcony and a sound-proof refuse are amply separated by shared space, creating a unique combination of contact and independence, spaciousness and intimacy.
Eminent Droog products will animate an unassuming interior of light wooden floors and white walls. The house will feature the classic 1991 Ragchair and Milk bottle lamp by Tejo Remy, the Heat wave radiator by Joris Laarman and the Tile kitchen by Arnout Visser, Erik Jan Kwakkel, and Peter van der Jagt." Droog Press Release
- “It all comes down to the accessories.....
- It’s not the first thousand dollars that make the room, it’s the last hundred!!”
- - judi roaman
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