Master of the Universe
http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com
Useful link:
www.christophniemann.com
Brilliant. I loved it.
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
- Bertrand Russell
Spot on.
The V&A's new exhibition Telling Tales delves into the fantastical world of contemporary design, taking visitors on a mind-blowing journey through furniture, lighting and ceramics, all inspired by the spirit of storytelling. Check out the link www.vam.ac.uk
Brilliant idea. I think the zircon hues and appearances are very similar to to those of champagne (and cognac) diamonds. Hats off to Raja Shah! The existing C1-C7 color-grading system can be easily adapted to quartz + topaz. Why re-invent the (color) wheel? Spot on.
(via Guardian) Gene scientist Craig Venter has announced plans to develop next-generation biofuels from algae in a $600m partnership with oil giant Exxon Mobil. His company, Synthetic Genomics Incorporated (SGI), will develop fuels that can be used by cars or aeroplanes without the need for any modification of their engines. I hope the new technology is economically viable and effective.
Useful links:
www.jcvi.org
www.syntheticgenomics.com
www.carbontrust.co.uk
Peter Day presents the story of Hiroyoshi Ishibashi + Weathernews Inc.
www.weathernews.com
Inspiring story, really.
Engineered Transparency: The Technical, Visual, and Spatial Effects of Glass by Michael Bell + Jeannie Kim is a fascinating book about innovative glass technology + its impact in our daily lives.
Useful links:
www.wernersobek.com
www.icaboston.org
www.toledomuseum.org
Reminiscent of a forgotten era of glamour, grace, and regal power, Postcards of Lost Royals brings history to life and distills the essence of a long-vanished world of royalty. One of my favorite, really.
Some extremely sharp investment advisors can get you in at the bottom of the market. Some extremely sharp ones can get you out at the top. They are never the same people.
- Gary North
www.garynorth.com
Spot on.
Rufus Wainwright's operatic debut Prima Donna has been unveiled at the Manchester international festival.
Check out the link www.rufuswainwright.com + www.mif.co.uk
The Melbourne Recital Center and Theater Company, designed by ARM has won the 2009 Victorian Architecture medal for successfully crossing design boundaries (for public architecture + interior architecture + interior architecture). Congratulations!
Useful links:
www.a-r-m.com.au
www.melbournerecital.com.au
www.architecture.com.au
Clean, Sexy Water. People always ask: What can I do to make a difference? That’s where Scott Harrison comes in. Read on. It's an inspiring story. Thanks Nicholas for the post.
Useful link:
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com
Create Your Own Economy: The Path to Prosperity in a Disordered World by Tyler Cowen is a great book that will open your mind to think differently. A must read.
Meet Michael Arthur, a pen and ink artist who specializes in live drawing of theater, dance and music rehearsals. www.michaeldarthur.com
Fabio Cammarata's unique pendant collections featuring precious people were brilliant. They all have a story.
Useful link:
www.fabiocammarata.it
Jorge Colombo sketches limo drivers using the Brushes application (iPhone) and his fingertips. www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/tny/finger-painting
A curious way to promote writing. Storytelling in a different way. Really.
http://significantobjects.com
On the Street / Elevated
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/11/fashion/20090712-street-feature/index.html?hp#
It's fashion for the 21st century. This is the future. Thanks Bill. I loved it.
Orientalist art. Great review. Two crucial lessons for vendors in recessionary market: don’t sell unless you have to, and don’t be greedy in setting estimates. If the low estimate is pitched at a high level, buyers sense greed in the air and tend to hold off from bidding. In a buyers’ market, purchasers like to feel they have got a bargain, especially if they are spending a lot of money. Spot on.
Useful links:
www.cantonart.org
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
Luxe Redux. Lavish. Silent. Undisturbed. Visiting luxury boutiques these days can seem like stepping into a time capsule. Spot on. Karl's report on the luxury sector was brilliant. Today the brand + consumer disconnect is real. How do you sell luxury in a post-luxury age? That's a two million dollar question!
Useful link:
www.karltarogreenfeld.com
Soul Power is an extravagantly entertaining documentary by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte. Don't miss. Check out the link www.sonyclassics.com/soulpower
I don’t want to make money buying and selling gems. The idea is all about acquiring knowledge, and access to the top gems of the world.
Madécasse, made from cacao grown in Madagascar’s naturally organic forests tastes good. Try it. It’s traded fairly and is environmentally friendly.
Useful link:
www.madecasse.com
Take the sommelier home with you
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7033f200-6ce0-11de-af56-00144feabdc0.html
Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson
www.sarmentwine.com
Great review. Thanks Jancis.
The Hermitage’s new satellite museum in Amsterdam should encourage visitors to spend an extra day in the Dutch capital. Certainly, yes and yes. Check out the link www.hermitage.nl
I have always wondered about flowering plants dominating the landscape. How did this happen? Have you ever stopped to think just how important they are? I love flowers. What would this world be like without flowers?
Useful links:
www.ncp.wur.nl/UK/Staff/Berendse
www.aew.wur.nl/uk/staff/MS
Antwerp hopes to keep its sparkle. Antwerp has certainly secured its place as capital of the diamond trade - 80% of the world's rough diamonds and 50% of all polished stones pass through the city. But these are hard times for diamonds. It's a fact!
Useful links:
www.awdc.be
www.antwerpdiamondbourse.net
www.worldfed.com
Meet Marvel’s Marko Djurdjevic, the concept artist/artistic genius + explore The Marvel Art of Marko Djurdjevic.
Useful link:
www.sixmorevodka.com
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less, until eventually he knows everything about nothing.
- Anonymous
How true!
For the first time in Sri Lanka history one of the main rivers (Kalu Ganga in Kahangamuwa) has been auctioned for Rs. 30.6 million by the Gem and Jewelry Authority for gem mining. Hard to believe, really.
Useful link:
www.srilankagemautho.com
Secrecy: www.secrecyfilm.com
Secret knowledge vs Open knowledge. A great documentary.
In a Downturn, Jewelers Aren’t So Precious. In this economy, many consumers would rather keep their money in their wallets than on their fingers, necks or ears. As people re-examine their budgets, jewelry is turning out to be one of the easiest places to cut back — or trade down (NYT). The half-carat is the new three-carat (Hayley Corwick). Spot on.
Old Master price soars at auction. I think luck also played an important role. The painting was expected to fetch up to £250,000, but it sold for £1.3m as two bidders battled it out.
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.bonhams.com
Michael Moore has announced the title of his forthcoming documentary: Capitalism: A Love Story. Check out the link www.michaelmoore.com
Playing with Figures
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.mckinsey.com
www.ndol.org
Fascinating post. Thanks Chaim.
The human rights abuses in the Marange Diamond Fields of Zimbabwe has been shockingly horrific. Could the Kimberley Process (KP) simply ban diamonds from one area? No one knows. I think the government of Zimbabwe + World Diamond Council should take some proactive steps, and do the right thing.
Useful links:
www.hrw.org
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.worlddiamondcouncil.com
www.jvclegal.org
What Brides Say About Rings....and You. What I found intriguing was that stone cut/shape and style/setting vied for the most important attributes, with 53% and 52% respectively ranking them as #1 or #2. Metal was the third most important attribute, followed by stone size and price/value tied for fourth place. The least important attributes for engagement ring shoppers were the retailers and designers. Interesting trend indeed. Thanks Deborah for the insightful article.
Useful links:
www.theknot.com
www.weddingchannel.com
History shows that the art market follows the stock market and the real estate market. I thought the recent contemporary auctions were pretty good. Every artist is different. You may see continued softening with some artists. When you have works of great quality, there will always be buyers who will want to step up to the plate, who will buy in good times and bad.
- Eli Broad
www.broadfoundation.org
Spot on.
If you are in Manchester, U.K, for the festival, don't miss Zaha Hadid’s extraordinary Bach concert chamber. Though a temporary one, it's a real masterpiece.
Useful links:
www.mif.co.uk
www.zaha-hadid.com
Between Islamic and contemporary art
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8138175.stm
An exhibition of nine artists and designers who've been short-listed for the prize is being held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
In pictures: Corot to Monet at the National Gallery
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Brilliant, really.
The Road to Samarcand: An Adventure by Patrick O'Brian is a brilliant book and has economic wisdom and adventure. A must read.
Dove/O'Keeffe: Circles of Influence
www.clarkart.edu
www.okeeffemuseum.org
Great review. Thanks Judith.
IDEO's field-tested tools for social impact via Human-Centered Design Toolkit was brilliant.
Useful links:
www.gatesfoundation.org
http://designthinking.ideo.com
A new documentary by Wendy Keys: Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight
Milton Glaser is the modern renaissance man. Don't miss.
The ARTnews 200 Top Collectors
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2702
Great compilation from a lot of great sources.
The Coral Reef Alliance + Greenpeace USA + SeaWeb + Sierra Club + the World Wildlife Fund + other conservation organizations, along with more than 100 marine scientists, have sent signed letters to the U.S. Congress and the White House urging lawmakers to reauthorize the U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, legislation that was designed to support research and management of coral reefs. Check out the link www.coral.org
Useful links:
www.greenpeace.org
www.seaweb.org
www.sierraclub.org
www.worldwildlife.org
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.cites.org
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org
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