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Steven Gambrel for Urban Electric Co.
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“Steven tends to design a majority of the impact pieces in his projects; so he has been commissioningcustom lighting from us for some time now. We have always felt he was incredibly talented. In particular, we feel Steven truly understands the importance and impact of lighting within a design,especially through the use of scale.”Dave Dawson+2.jpg?resize=494%2C640)
“The fixtures have a clean aesthetic while also being timeworn in a way thatcan be used over and over in different ways to fit the spirit of the space.”Steven GambrelInterior Designer and ArchitectSHINING STARNew York-based interior Designer, Steven Gambrel has partnered with The Urban Electric Co., and from the looks of things, it’s a very good match. The entire collection which include an assortment of ceiling and wall designs is now available online.The well respected lighting company has always been known to take great pride in the level of design and attention to detail required for each fixture in their collection; and the renowned architect and designer, Steven Gambrel, is the sort of man they needed for their latest project. The mid-century and American industrial influence in this line is elegant and modern – perfect for that hotel, and residential project you’ve been working on.
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Photos courtesy The Urban Electric Co.What I particular liked about this impressive collection is the individual designs, the scale, and of course, the attention to detail, and selected finishes that Steven uses. Light diffusion also played a key role in the design – tubular bulbs, etched rings and mirror detail allow perfect light emission without having to see the immediate source. All the ten pieces from the collection are both functional and practical. -
The Hoover Dam: Why Is It Art Deco?
A TIME TO SOAREven though I have an ardent connection for everything art deco, I’ve often wondered why a place like the Hoover Dam is all art deco. Don’t get me wrong – this is by no means a complaint. My initial research led me to believe that when the design was first presented, it was severely criticized by many as being too plain and unremarkable for a project of such immense scale.Dedication Plaque by Henry Yim
And I think we can all agree that this is a grandiose piece of architecture. The Hoover Dam graceful curve and Art Deco style contrasts with the stark landscape of the Black Canyon of the Colorado River over which it was built. Back in 1935, Los Angeles-based architect Gordon Kaufmann was brought in and assigned to streamlined the design, and he applied an elegant Art Deco style to the entire project (this was done with some much needed help from Denver artist Allen Tupper True).
MajesticDetails of the Art Deco Hoover Dam StatuePhoto credit: Saint 1604’s Photostream, via Flickr
Soaring FigurePhoto credit: Prof. Moreaus Photostream via FlickrKaufmann also incorporated motifs of the Navajo and Pueblo tribes of the region, as well as sand paintings, textiles, baskets and ceramics. Sculptor Oskar J.W. Hansen designed many of the sculptures that you see today when you visit this magnificent, and majestic place. My husband visited HD back in the late 90s and was quite taking by the sheer beauty of his surroundings. This architectural wonder has been compared to the great pyramids of Egypt and belongs to the sagas of the daring. Sadly, many men have lost their lives building this great monument. Gordon Kaufmann, who was also known to design the Los Angeles Times Building, simplified the Dam’s design with a strong reference to Modernism and Art Deco. Fabulous!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.
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Michael Aram’s Molten Month Event
I was delighted to be part of Michael Aram’s blogger event last week. As many of you may already know, this is Molten Month at Michael Aram, and we all came together to celebrate his latest collection at his flagship store located at 136 West 18th Street in New York City. Michael is so well connected with nature and the evidence of this love is seen on so many of his designs, and the way he chose to highlight his collections at the store.Michael Aram Molten Collection
The Making of The Molten Collection
Stage 4 and
Stage 6
More shots from the Michael Aram’s Molten Collection
Signature cupcakes from KeremoPhotos courtesy Michael Aram
Vyna St Phard, Michael AramPhoto courtesy High End Weekly™The evening was filled with wondrous designs for the bride to be, and of course for all of us who value extremely high quality designs at reasonable prices. I encourage you to visit the store whenever possible, and don’t forget to view the video on the making of his Molten Collection, as well as the exhibition entitled: The Molten Collection Through The Years. For more images about the event, visit HEW on Facebook.OF NOTE:The New Molten collection celebrates handcraftsmanship at its most basic level. Each bead is individually welded along the edge of the product, making each a unique piece. New Molten is made from stainless steel and is perfect for elegant everyday functionality. During the month of June, Michael Aram is celebrating Molten Month with a Mini Molten Frame gift with purchase on all purchases of $150 or more. The promotion is valid online, in-store and at select retailers. The full list can be found here: http://www.michaelaram.com/nsite/assistance.aspx?ptype=O -
Masterpiece London
Third time’s the charm. Masterpiece London, will open for the third year at the South Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea, on Thursday, June 28th until Wednesday, July 4th, 2012. A Preview will take place on June 27. This fair has become popular for its astonishingly broad range and fusion of disciplines. For example, in addition to the finest works from classical antiquity, ethnographica, furniture, ceramics, Renaissance bronzes, paintings, furniture and jewelry, one will can also expect one-off bespoke works of art, be it a Rolls Royce or Harley Davidson, made specifically for the fair.Merrin Egyptian Mask
Masterpiece London aims for the best of the best in all categories, ancient or modern. Hence visitors, who come to look for watches, vintage cars or fine wine, will engage with extraordinary masterworks that they might never otherwise had the opportunity to see.
Safani Egyptian CatPhotos courtesy Masterpiece LondonSixteen leading galleries from the United States have signed on this exciting exhibition. Returning to Masterpiece London are Kentshire, Michele Beiny, Les Enluminures, Safani Gallery, Elle Shushan, favorites like Tambaran Gallery, The Silver Fund, and A La Vielle Russie. The new kids on the block are: Collisart, The Merrin Gallery, Fred Leighton, Siegelson, Sebastian + Barquet, and Sperone Westwater & Alberto di Castro, all New York-based galleries. Not only will a visitor to Masterpiece London 2012 be spoilt by a trove of magnificent exhibits to discover, there will also be a complimentary education programme of informative lectures offered by leading experts, including those from The Wallace Collection in London. Besides the expertise of these authorities, Masterpiece London visitors will have the opportunity to draw on the knowledge of the exhibitors themselves, each of whom has a well-informed background in their fields. -
Art Antiques London
Art Antiques London will take place this coming Wednesday, June 13th, until the following week, Wednesday, June 20th, 2012 at the Albert Memorial West Lawn, Kensington Gardens, London (opposite The Royal Albert Hall). This important art fair incorporates The International Ceramics Fair and Seminar, which was launched in June 2010.The Silver Fund Puiforcat Tea and Coffee Set from Adrian Sassoon. A Very Rare Jean Puiforcat Mexico Tea and Coffee Set on Tray Sterling silver with green onyx handles. Mexico, Circa 1943The fair has since won praises for its central location, light and airy atmosphere, not to mention stylish presentation. Now in its third year, Art Antiques London has surpassed expectations, and has become a vital yearly meeting place for international dealers, collectors, museum curators and academics. Over 70 of the world’s leading art dealers will be present. This year, the breadth of dealers has grown to include experts in disciplines such as Modern British Art, 20th Century Design (my favorite design period), Tapestry and Antique Textiles, and European Jewelry.
Sèvres Teapot & Sugar bowl from Adrian SassoonPhotos courtesy Adrian SassoonUK antique dealer, Adrian Sassoon will once again be showing an extraordinary array of ceramics, both antique and contemporary. One of the most coveted being a Teapot and Sugar bowl from a Tea Service made at Sèvres between 1782 and 1785. Did you notice the style of decoration of flat gilding (above photograph) laid over the dark blue ground color and then scratched through with lines to form patterns? It is so rare that when Adrian Sassoon first saw this type of decoration in the late 1980’s he was so un-familiar with it that he wondered if it was even authentic 18th century Sèvres decoration. Since then several pieces have emerged and a great example was bought by the Art Institute of Chicago. The greatest use of this technique was on the monumentally costly Toilet Service given by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette of France in 1782 to the Crown Princess of Russia, Maria-Feodorovna who was travelling in Europe under the name of the ‘Comtesse du Nord’. On that trip they purchased great quantities of the finest furnishings in Paris, which along with the Toilet Service are still in the palace they were building at Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg.Private View (By invitation only) is on Wednesday, June 13 from 11am – 9pm. Public Opening Hours are: Thursday, June 14: 11am – 7pm. Friday, June 15: 11am – 7pm. Saturday, June 16: 11am – 7pm. Sunday, June 17: 11am – 6pm. Monday, June 18: 11am – 7pm. Tuesday June 19: 11am – 7pm. Wednesday June 20: 11am – 6pm. -
The Weekender: A Girl’s Best Friend
Vacheron Constantin and the American Friends of the Louvre Host a Gala Dinner in Los AngelesOn May 17th, Vacheron Constantin, the oldest Swiss watchmaker in continuous activity, partnered with the American Friends of the Louvre to host an exclusive gala dinner at the private LA residence of Larry Gagosian, in recognition of the Louvre Museum’s Contemporary Art Programs.Kalla Haute Couture À Pampilles and Lady Kalla Flame
Hugues de Pins, president of Vacheron Constantin North America, spearheaded the event, along with Christopher Forbes, Chairman of the American Friends of the Louvre and board members Becca Cason Thrash and Sabrina Kay.
Henri Loyrette, Sharon Stone, Hugues de PinsHenri Loyrette, president and director of the Louvre Museum, was the honored special guest. Among the guests were Sharon Stone, Michael Mann and his wife Summer.
Andrew Rhoda, Deborah McCleod, Ben BourgeoisGuests gathered around the scintillating outdoor pool for cocktails while freely moving through the home to view Mr. Gagosian’s private art collection. They then moved to the garden for a three-course, sit-down dinner. Fitting in perfectly with the surroundings, beautiful Vacheron Constantin timepieces were on display for the distinguished guests who were clearly drawn to the magnificent pieces from the brand’s Métier’s d’Art Collection, La Symbolique des Laques Maki-e Collection and the Kalla Haute Couture À Pampilles and Lady Kalla Flame.It was a fantastic and elegant affair which raised approximately $200,000 in support of the mission of the American Friends of the Louvre, including its efforts to promote the Louvre Museum’s contemporary art programs.
Cocktail Atmosphere
Becca Cason Thrash
Christopher Kip Forbes
Eduardo Moises and Amber Arbucci
Hugues de Pins
Karen Pulaski, Eugenio Lopez, Sharon Stone
Karen Pulaski, Harry and Valerie Cooper
Sabrina Kay
L-R_Sabina Kay, Quinn Ezralow, Lina Kay, Mira Lee, Brian Ezralow, Brian Lee, Andrew Gross, Mimi SongPhotos courtesy Vacheron ConstantinAll Right ReservedYou May Also Like
Jeff Koons Plate Launch and Signing at Bernardaud
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Here We Go
It gives me great pleasure to share this celebration with all of my old and new friends, our sponsors: Holly at Subarashi Kudamono for the delicious cocktails, Dolores Marianeschi for the Nieto wine, Erik and Cornelia for allowing me to use their beautiful, zen-like gallery. NTDTV for their great coverage, and last but not least, my better half, Michael. During High End Weekly’s first year, I have had so many stories and experiences to tell, so when I look back, there have been a few tears and laughs, a little of expert advice, and friendly conversations.
All of you have added to my dream and in some cases, you’ve challenged me to keep reaching out towards my goal, and to iron out some wrinkles. It’s been a fantastic journey. In the coming years, we will continue to push the boundaries, never get comfortable at our achievements, we aim to dazzle, to defy expectations, we want our readers to reach for the stars, and share the pleasures both great and small. High End Weekly™ will be arranging events, regular High Teas, so that we can meet with new and old friends. We will bring you the best of life and culture, the luxury lifestyle, which includes fine and decorative arts, interior design, fashion, and of course a few surprises.
Vyna St Phard
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™All rights reserved -
Meet Michael Aram
June is molten month at Michael Aram worldwide. A few days ago, I caught up with the designer and we talked about his unique designs for the latest Molten Collection, how he continuously introduces a real sense of whimsicality in all of his pieces, his fondness for India, and more.
High End Weekly™: A lot of the pieces from the Molten Collection have a story behind them…Michael Aram: The story behind the entire Molten Collection is one of craftsmanship. It’s a story I’ve been celebrating in my work for over 23 years now. The Molten collection was first introduced in 2001. We’ve just updated it and added fresh functionalities. Even though the result feels like an absolutely new and surprising collection to people, we still use the same exact technique in making it.
Michael Aram. Photo credit: Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images North AmericaTo achieve the beaded edges, our master craftsmen melt a long rod of stainless steel with an argon welder to create individual welds which are placed around the rim, one by one, drop by drop. The result is that no two pieces are ever exactly alike. If you look closely from one object to the next, you can see the slightly unique style that each welder has. They have what I like to call the “maker’s mark”, where each piece reflects the art of the craftsman that created it.
HEW: A few years back, I remembered reading somewhere that you spend most of your time in India. Is that still the case today?MA: I spend a great amount of my time in India. I consider India as much my home as I do New York. I still divide my time between the two homes. I’m there about 4 to 6 times a year, though the trips are a little shorter these days thanks to my baby twins that aren’t ready for a 16 hour flight just yet! No matter where I am in the world, India is a daily and inherent part of my life. It influences everything I do. It’s not just where I work or manufacture. It’s a culture that has been infused into how I look at the world. I have friends and a full life over there. I’ve even learned to speak Hindi…spotty and improper maybe, but I do it.
HEW: Tell me about who or what inspires you the most when it comes to your latest collection?MA: In New Molten, it is definitely the craft that drives my passion for the design. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of transforming the “industrial” into something beautiful. New Molten is exactly that. These body shapes are simple and clean, timeless yet ancient. The thing is, they’re made by classic hand forging…metal shears, hammer, anvil. The beads along the edge are just simple welds. The difference is that they aren’t being placed there to fuse two pieces of metal together for some functional reason…they’re being placed there as a celebration of the weld itself, the idea that one of the hardest metals in the world can be coaxed into a fluid form and turned into a delicate and beautiful detail. That process is magical to me and inspires everything we do. It’s not expressed anywhere as purely as it is in the Molten Collection.
HEW: What is your personal taste in design, and how does it influence your own work?
MA: I like to collect objects from all over the world, especially objects that really mean something to me. To me, that object, whether it’s an antique clock, or a tribal sculpture, becomes my world. When I bring these pieces into my home, it’s important to me that they have their own space that’s clean and minimal so it can be appreciated and celebrated. When I’m designing my pieces, I follow that same practice. Even though the motifs are expressed as collections, I design the pieces one at a time, where the object becomes my sole focus and for that moment, nothing else exists outside of it.HEW: What has been one of the most memorable experiences of your career?MA: I would say travelling to India in 1989 and really discovering what would become my calling. Additionally, my Personal Appearances are always memorable to me, each for a different reason. I really enjoy sitting down and meeting with the people who collect my work. There’s something so joyful about having that one on one and learning of their lives, stories, and special occasions.
HEW: Your flagship store in the Chelsea is so beautiful, and I love shopping there. What was the concept behind the design? (The store location is considered Chelsea.)MA: Since it’s a 19th century carriage house, the building already had so much character to it. We worked with architect, James Harb, to honor that history and original design while trying to capture some of the spirit behind my style and inspiration. Many of the elements you see are original…the rafters, the loading stage, the floor planks. On top of that we infused a scheme that had the slightly dark and brooding undercurrent in a lot of my work…slightly gothic, in a childlike way. That space actually gave rise to our entire brand image.HEW: My husband and I received your cat and mouse serving bowl from a friend, when we were getting married a few years ago. We both loved the whimsical and humorous side of the object. Do you believe that most of your work reflects the whimsical side of things?MA: What a blast from the past! I purposely designed the bowl so that the cat was perched on the top, while the mice sneakily hid underneath so that the cat wouldn’t find them. I do try to use whimsicality in all of my pieces. In some collections, it is a little more apparent than others, but even in my ‘organic’ collections, I try to highlight the unexpected and often overlooked details.
HEW: What is trendy in tableware and metal objects right now?MA: Entertaining has become a space for self expression. People aren’t really willing to be told what is formal and what is casual. Tableware is more freeform than ever before. It’s become about the formalization of casual and the casualization of formal. It’s a mix of materials, mix of styles, mix of activities, mix of environments. Whether it’s indoors or out, people want it to be fiercely stylish and show a sense of individuality. Whether it’s metal, porcelain, crystal, wood or even paper, the objects need to make a statement.OF NOTE:
Michael Aram is running a promotion for the entire month of June. During Molten Month, all Michael Aram purchases of $150 or more in the month of June will receive a free gift with purchase: the New Molten Mini Frame. The gift with purchase promotion is available online at michaelaram.com, as well as in-store, (participating stores will be listed on his website). To further celebrate the New Molten collection they are launching a “My Perfect Dinner Party’ contest on the newly activated Michael Aram Pinterest channel, beginning today, June 4th.
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Objects of Desire at The Joan Mirviss Gallery
The Joan Mirviss Gallery introduces Five Leading Japanese Women in CeramicsRaise your hands if you love Asian art as much as I do. The ubber cool Japanese gallery, Joan Mirviss will hold their seminal exhibit by highlighting Japan’s foremost female ceramic artists and calligrapher.The exhibit – The French Connection: Five Japanese Women Ceramists and a Passion for France” Guided by the Brush”, will take place on Thursday, June 7th until Friday, August 3rd, 2012. The gallery is located at 39 East 78th Street, New York City.
Japan’s five renowned female ceramic artists and the country’s leading calligrapher and painter (she’s 99 years of age!) are the heroines of a ground-breaking exhibit that pairs Japan’s most significant art mediums-ceramic and calligraphy-in the hands of women and illustrates their worldwide success in two male-dominated fields. Each theme will explore the dramatic rise and importance of Japanese women who traditionally played a subservient role in these art forms. These women have become celebrated artists by freeing themselves from the traditional and restrictive society in Japan where women have traditionally been denied the freedom to chose a career and express their artistic side. While augmenting their studies in clay in France, these five sculptors, who have now liberated their unique artistic voices, are Futamura Yoshimi, Katsumata Chieko, Nagasawa Setsuko, Ogawa Machiko, and Sakurai Yasuko. In addition to the art of clay, the exhibit examines creativity and independence in Japanese calligraphy and painting through the eyes of the doyenne of Japanese Abstract Expressionism. Pioneering new forms and shapes in clay and on paper, these remarkable women have established themselves in the global art market as a reflection of the movement and changes occurring in Japanese art and society over the past three generations.
Katsumata Chieko
Ogawa Machiko
Ogawa Machiko
Sakurai YasukoPhotos courtesy Joan Mirviss Ltd.
All rights reservedGiven the formality within the ceramic tradition in Japan, the relative openness pervasive in the French art world and its lack of gender bias held the allure of freedom for many Japanese women artists. The five Japanese women participating in this show have received classical training in clay but developed their craft through studies in France. Each artist sought to make France a major central component in her artistic evolution and life, which in turn has ultimately led to international recognition.These women artists are masters of their medium and confront tradition yet expose the very nature of clay, exploiting its flexibility and suppleness in arresting ways-using clay as a way to flaunt the limitations of their medium or defy it altogether. As a result, they are at the vanguard of the development of Japanese ceramics in what is certainly one of the richest and most diverse periods in its long history. These groundbreaking ceramists whose works are featured in this exhibition stand on the world stage, with their work entering major museum collections across the globe.About Joan Mirviss: Ms. Mirviss is a distinguished expert in Japanese art, specializing in prints, paintings, screens and ceramics for more than thirty-five years. She is the leading Western dealer in the field of modern and contemporary Japanese ceramics and from her eponymous gallery on Madison Avenue she exclusively represents the top Japanese clay artists. As a widely published and highly respected specialist in her field, Joan Mirviss has advised and built collections for many museums, major private collectors and corporations.
For more images on the exhibition, please visit us on www.facebook/highendweekly.
- Dara Caponigro, Geoffrey Bradfield, Iris Apfel, John Roselli, Life and Style, Sotheby's, The Weekender
The Weekender: Style and Grace
Geoffrey Bradfield Launched “A 21st Century Palace”at The Waldorf AstoriaInterior designer, Geoffrey Bradfield celebrated the launch of his new book, A 21st Century Palace, at a hotel that is as iconic as the designer himself. It was an evening to remember. Geoffrey’s latest publication is about a Mexican palace, and it is the first in a series of books about some of the marvelous homes that he designed worldwide.Pictured: Geoffrey Bradfield
Invited guests were welcomed to an opulent setting where he presided over a 18th century French court where models wore beautiful garbs, and some of the most intricate, and wondrous body paint by make up artists, The Parker Twins. Some of his distinguished guests included Michelle Gerber Klein, Sheikh Abdullah Rahman, Baroness Gabriella von Langendorff, to name a few.
Grace Meigher, Geoffrey Bradfield
Zev Eisenberg, Lara Bjork, Craig Dix, Harish Perkari
Chiu-Ti Jansen
Dominique
Michele Gerber Klein
Angela Chen
Kathleen Giordano, Joy Marks, Victor de Souza, Dr Penny Grant
Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno
Atmosphere
Roric Tobin, and Geoffrey Bradfield
Miles Pimental, Brandon Collins, Eric Knoff, Steve Torrisi, Tommie Cross, Constantine Grosse, Chris Brooke, David Anderson, Daniel Allen, Alex Nagel, David Spence, Andrew SullivanPhotos courtesy Patrick McMullanA LIFETIME OF GRACE…And with elegance, she carried it off! Iris Apfel and Dara Caponigro were together at Sotheby’s this week for an evening of Style and Design. The VERANDA Magazine Editor-in-Chief delved into what is style and how do you carry it off and make it work for you. No one was better suited to answer those questions than the veteran fashion icon Iris Apfel. Her work had and continues to have a major impact in fashion and interior design. Although we only had one hour with the grande dame herself, I felt as if we’ve spent the entire evening with her. There was so much to be said and much more to talk about, and I’m so pleased to have been part of the experience. One of the things that stood out was Iris explaining that it’s alright to grow old gracefully, be different, and create your individual flair without caring too much about what others think. Because at the end of the day, life must go on – with style.
Dara Caponigro and Iris Apfel
Iris Apfel and Veranda Editor in Chief, Dara Caponigro
Iris Apfel
Dara Caponigro, John Roselli, and Iris ApfelPhoto courtesy Annie Watt
