Doors of Perception
At the Frieze New York Art Fair, doors made of statuary marble by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (according to Art Review magazine, the most powerful figure in the art world). I’ve no doubt there’s a deeper cultural and artistic significance, but in purely aesthetic terms, those are some awesome doors.
On the right is an inverted fiberglass sun by Anish Kapoor. Don’t stare at it too long, I hear it can fry your retinas.
Abstract Art Chart
I’m not sure of the origin of this chart, but I love the look of it. Although I must say, as an instructive tool I find it more confusing than clarifying. Perhaps that was the intention?
High Contrast
Striking image by photographer Richard Powers, taken in the New York home of designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg. The strong perspective and bright light draw you in, but the high contrasts of light/heavy, smooth/rough, and shiny/dull in the furnishings are what bring it to life. Divine.
Soft Focus
Close-up of an early coffee table design in walnut. The soft focus was accidental, but I love how it gives it a heavenly glow.
Underground Trompe-l’oeil
Here’s a subversive use of trompe-l’oeil. Berlin based artist EVOL created the illusion of an underground city in a meadow outside Hamburg for the MS Dockville Music & Arts Festival.
Understated Trompe-l’oeil
Trompe-l’oeil painting dates back to Greek and Roman times. Throughout history it has been in and out of fashion in interior design, having its most recent surge of popularity in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Fashion designer Martin Margiela has utilized it to great effect in his design of the La Maison Champs Elysees hotel in Paris. He had rooms painted in a subtle gray on white trompe-l’oeil, adding character and a touch of understated elegance to the otherwise simple rooms. It goes to show that sometimes a little can go a long way.
Lucy in Walnut Jeans
Our niece Lucy modeling a pair of low rise walnut jeans made by our master craftsman, Aaron.
And no, the abstract expressionist painting on the right isn’t a Robert Motherwell. Lucy painted it – when she was two years old!
Moby on LA Architecture
I’ve always found Moby to be an interesting character, although I must admit I haven’t listened to any of his music since the late 90’s. I had him pegged as a diehard Lower East Side New Yorker, and was pleasantly surprised to read in the New York Times last year that he had moved to Los Angeles and bought a funky house in the Hollywood Hills. I was even more surprised to learn recently that he loves architecture and has a blog called Moby Los Angeles Architecture.
Blogging on a rare building by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (owned by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo) to a seedy Hollywood motel, and everything in between, it’s clear that he has fallen hard for Los Angeles and it’s unique architectural splendor. Great insights into what makes LA such a fascinating and vibrant city that is so often maligned, yet sadly misunderstood.
Check out his interview by Dwell Magazine LA editor Frances Anderton on KCRW.
