Reflections on the Dubai Death Star
It’s not often that a vision of its destruction precedes the construction of a large high profile building. Poor Rem Koolhaas. His master scheme for developing Dubai includes an ominous orb that has been blogged to bits as the “Dubai Death Star”. Images of Darth Vader’s devastated Death Star are paired with pics of the Koolhaas ball, all over the web.
2008 Perfect House Award
The Susi Johnston Homeless Nomad Architecture Award for the Perfect House of 2008 goes to Alberto Campo Baeza’s Olnick Spanu House. There is nothing more to say.
Joel Cooner : The Zen Texan
An in-depth interview with tribal art dealer Joel Cooner has just been posted on the Tribalmania website. Joel is known for his exquisite eye and his talent for arranging artefacts in such a way that the arrangements are works of art in their own right.
In the interview Cooner reveals his inspirations, and shares his advice for collectors. He talks straight, and with an earthy familiarity, as only a Texan can, mixing sophisticated art jargon with down-home metaphors. When you read the interview, imagine the words delivered with a warm Texan twang and you’ll get the feeling.
BLUE Until 18 September
The colour blue has calming and restorative properties. If the stresses of a roller-coaster economy and the strains of everyday life are taking a toll, visit the BLUE exhibition at the Textile Museum in Washington DC. At least visit the website, then download the gallery guide, and look deeply into the blues there, like the Javanese “clouds” batik above. The BLUE exhibition runs through 18 September, so there is still time to dive into the blue in DC.
(Sorry, I shouldn’t have used the word “runs” in reference to blue textiles, even though indigo can be very colourfast. So, I’ll just say the exhibition “persists” through 18 September. How’s that?)
Intermission – The Congo
We interrupt this show to share with you the story of a remarkable woman, my sister, Emily Johnston. She just arrived back in America after a stint in the Congo, passing through Rwanda, working as a doctor (that’s her team above). The faces say it all.
Here on my little blog, we are involved with design, art, antiquities, architecture and all of those beautiful things. Honourable, yes. Meanwhile, others are on the frontline, at the raw edge of the human condition. Like Emily.
Liaigre by Liaigre
Christian Liaigre’s new book Liagre will hit the shelves this September. Reserve your advance copy now, at $125. Or click it on Amazon.com for just $78.75. Authored by Liaigre, and Thomas Luntz, with photos by Jean-Philippe Peter, the book features six exclusive properties in Spain, Bora Bora, Switzerland, France and elsewhere. Many of the interior design trends you love now are derived from Liaigre, but go to the guru himself to see how it is really meant to be. You will burn your clumsy clunky wood furniture when you see how it should have been. Taste, proportion, eye, restraint and balance; these are absolutes, and impossible to fake.
Pure Form in Gold @ Joe Loux
Asian and tribal art dealer Joe Loux offers a piece of pure form among new acquisitions just posted on his site. This Han period gold torque from Southwest China, mounted on a metal stand, weighs 169 grams and is priced at $15,000. Image © 2008 Joe Loux
Just Posted : Ataoro Figure
A group of new posts just went up on SFTribal, among which is this rare figure from Ataoro Island, Indonesia. The piece is offered by SFTribal member, Eric Farrow at $4800. SFTribal is an association of art dealers from the San Francisco Bay Area specialising in African, Oceanic, Asian, pre-Columbian and North American Indian art.
Barragan Fountain Found in LA
The LA Times reports that a courtyard fountain by Louis Barragan has been “found” at a 1927 house in Beverley Crest. The house was built in 1927, and fifty years later when the swimming pool was re-concepted, Barragan was commissioned to create a dramatic waterfall-fountain flowing into it.
The house was a favourite party venue for the rich and famous. When extra space was required for a really big bash, the 500-square-meter pool could be drained and used as a patio. It was designed so that even when the pool was empty, the fountain would continue to flow. Owners Eugene Leoni and Anthony Brent tell the tale of the house in the LA Times article, which is accompanied by interior and exterior shots by Spencer Weiner. (Image, Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Remarkable Dzi @ Art Tibet
We are serious about ancient beads, and have a large collection which my partner, Bruno uses to compose striking necklaces which are eminently wearable. We study bead history, and often comb the web looking for images and information. Today I found an extraordinary ancient natron-etched Dzi bead that has just been added to the Asianart.com space of Art Tibet. Not only is it remarkably beautiful, it is remarkably large as well, at 13 cm. This is more than just a bead; it’s a powerful and iconic work of art.