Random Thoughts

I recall that nobody else wanted them and we kept on buying them. We made a brooch with different shades of brown: light, dark and grayish. You combine all the shades together and you get a magnificent ball of fire.

- Alisa Moussaieff
www.moussaieff-jewellers.com

Spot on.

Rob Marshall's Nine

Nine is a 2009 American musical film directed by Rob Marshall. The movie is based on Arthur Kopit's book for the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical of the same name, which was derived from an Italian play by Mario Fratti inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film 8½. With Chopard creating special jewelry to reflect the style and personality of each character, the movie should be unique. I can't wait to see this movie.

Useful links:
http://nine-movie.com
www.chopard.com

Complaints Choir

Complaints Choir is a unique form of participatory art. Brilliant evolution, really. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.complaintschoir.org
www.ykon.org/kochta-kalleinen

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's viewpoints on United Nation's climate change conference in Copenhagen + sustainability from the point of view of the developing world was interesting. Thanks Peter.

Useful links:
www.bcas.net
http://en.cop15.dk
The Climate Connection

Digital Camera Photographer 2009

Check out the winners of 2009 at http://poty2009.dcmag.co.uk

The Science Of Fear

The Science of Fear: How the Culture of Fear Manipulates Your Brain by Daniel Gardner is a fascinating book about unnecessary anxiety and behavioral science. A must read.

Useful link:

www.dangardner.ca

Decode: Digital Design Sensations

Decode: Digital Design Sensations. 8 December 2009 - 11 April 2010. Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.vam.ac.uk
www.onedotzero.com

New Innovation Tool

I think Tim Brown's design thinking is winning many converts in both industry and philanthropy. Design thinking works.

Useful links:
http://designthinking.ideo.com
www.ideo.com/cbd
www.largescaleinnovation.com
www.gatesfoundation.org
www.visionspring.org
http://embraceglobal.org

Random Thoughts

Information is being created at a pace I have never seen before and in this environment, seconds matter. There is so much information being generated out there that getting you relevant information is the key to the success of a product like this. It's all about relevance, relevance, relevance.

- Amit Singhal
www.google.com
www.computerhistory.org

A truly landmark event in the world of search.

Tata Swach

Tata Chemicals has unveiled Tata Swach - a unique and innovative water purifier, making safe drinking water available for all at an affordable cost. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.tatachemicals.com
www.tcsinnovations.com

Darpa's Treasure Hunt

The Darpa Network Challenge, which took place on December 5, 2009 has been won by the MIT team, scooping victory within nine hours of the launch. Congratulations!

Useful links:
http://balloon.media.mit.edu
https://networkchallenge.darpa.mil

George Crumb

George Crumb is 80. His music is seldom heard nowadays. There is a mystical feeling and kind of spirituality in his music. I loved it. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.georgecrumb.net

3-D In India

I think 3-D movies could rejuvenate theatergoing/provide an immersive experience at a time when many consumers are growing comfortable watching content on DVDs. I hope Reliance ADA Group/In-Three Inc partnership works out well.

Useful links:
www.relianceadagroup.com
www.in-three.com

Haute Couture Week In Paris

At a time when shows are losing their luster, Chambre Syndicale's decision to marry haute couture and high jewelry via exclusivity (rarity) + technical know-how (creativity) could spin off a pleasant surprise. All the best.

Useful links:
www.modeaparis.com
www.boucheron.com
www.cartier.com
www.chanel.com
www.diorjoaillerie.com
www.vancleef-arpels.com

Galatea Mercy Pearls

Galatea: Jewelry by Artist. Check out their stunningly beautiful artwork.

Useful links:
www.galateausa.com
www.fwab.org
www.angkorhospital.org

Turner Prize 2009

Richard Wright has won the 2009 Turner Prize for his striking large-scale frescos. Congratulations!

Useful link:
www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize

Random Thoughts

Each bottle is a bit like one of my children: you see them go and you're always sad but at the same time they're going to make space for more, so it's a sad occasion but a happy one at the same time.

- David Ridgway
Chief sommelier, La Tour d'Argent
www.tourdargent.com
www.wineanorak.com

Spot on.

Copenhagen Global Climate Change Summit 2009

The global climate change meeting starts on December 7, 2009. I hope companies and consumers around the world embrace the green agenda and do the right thing to save the planet.

Useful link:
http://en.cop15.dk

Internet Turns 40

December 5, 2009, marked the 40th anniversary of the day when the Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) connected four computer nodes to create a network of networks that changed life as we know it. Larry Greenemeier/Vint Cerf interview in Scientifc American was an insightful insider's view of the Internet. Thanks Larry.

Useful link:
http://larrygreenemeier.com

Art Hotel Boston

I want my hotel to feel more like a private house than a museum. This way, I can look at my art all day and other people can enjoy it too.

- Roberto Franchi
www.hotelbostontorino.it

Definitely a must-see.

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

Check out Jancis Robinson's top red recommendations. Thanks Jancis.

Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
http://www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson
www.wine-searcher.com

Peter Beard

Nicolas Rachline/Peter Beard viewpoints in the Financial Times about the world of fashion photography and environment was interesting. An insightful discussion, really.

Useful links:
www.peterbeard.com
www.above-magazine.com
www.taschen.com

Random Thoughts

The mobile phone is a very nice platform for exploring new forms of musical performance. We're not tethered to the physics of traditional instruments. We can do interesting, weird, unusual things. This kind of technology is in its infancy, but it's a hot and growing area to use iPhones for artistic expression.

- Georg Essl
http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~gessl

Simply brilliant.

Diamond Dreidel

Check out the world's very first diamond dreidel by Mervis Diamond Importers. Diamond collectors take note. www.mervisdiamond.com/tacori-diamonds

The Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair 2010

The Antwerp Diamond Bourse - Beurs voor Diamanthandel - is to launch by-invitation only diamond trade fair in the bourse trading hall, February 7-9, 2010. I think the invitation-only exhibition is aimed at high-end diamond, gem and jewelry buyers.

Useful link:
www.awdc.be

Random Thoughts

The four most costly words in investment are: this time is different.

- Sir John Templeton
www.sirjohntempleton.org

So true!

James Cameron’s New 3-D Epic

Joshua Davis's opinion piece in Wired about James Cameron was brilliant. He is the new avatar of this century. There is no doubt about it.

Useful link:
www.joshuadavis.com

The Economics Of Social Gaming

Jeremy Liew's opinion piece in Paid Content was interesting/insightful. It's really amazing how social games have evolved in the last few years.

Useful link:
www.lightspeedvp.com

The Art Of The Idea

Check out John Hunt's brilliant insights via The Art of the Idea: And How It Can Change Your Life

Useful link:
www.tbwa.com

Congo's Gold

Here is the 60 Minutes transcript on Congo Gold.

Useful links:
www.hrw.org
www.enoughproject.org
www.nodirtygold.org
www.responsiblejewellery.com
www.gold.org

Art Market Review

The Economist viewpoint on the state of the art market in Hong Kong was interesting. Sellers have become more greedy and buyers, especially Chinese buyers, have become selective. It's really amazing how quickly the Chinese have become knowledgeable over the years, and they don’t like being taken advantage of. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.bonhams.com

Diamond & Gemstone Grading Reports 2009

Check out National Jeweler's Diamond and Gemstone Grading Reports 2009. I don't think it's a complete list, but still informative. click here.

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about the current state of the art market was interesting. If you are short on major paintings, market what you have on the back of a good story. So true!

Useful link:
www.christies.com

Carbozyme

Check out a New Jersey-based startup called Carbozyme, and their new green technology. According to Carbozyme, the process uses a third less energy than other CO2 storage methods. I wish them all the best.

Useful links:
www.carbozyme.us
www.futuregenalliance.org

Hey Oscar Wilde! It’s Clobberin’ Time!

Hey Oscar Wilde! It’s Clobberin’ Time! is run by Steve Gettis. I loved it. http://heyoscarwilde.com

Rapaport Diamond Market Report

Avi Krawitz was spot on. The financial crisis is not completely over and could still strike in the most unexpected of places. www.diamonds.net

Olympus BioScapes 2009

Check out the breathtaking images from The BioScapes 2009 competition. They are amazing, really.

Useful link:
www.olympusbioscapes.com

Dror Benshetrit

Dron Benshetrit's designs are stunningly complex but simple. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.studiodror.com

Pictory

A picture is worth a thousand words. I liked the pictures and narratives. Hats off to Laura Brunow Miner!

Useful link:
www.pictorymag.com

Art Basel Miami Beach 2009

Latin Americans have emerged as the fair's new power players. What an interesting story!

Useful links:
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
www.artbasel.com
www.faria-fabregas.com
www.miamiartmuseum.org

The Best Books 2009

The Economist has unveiled the best books lists of 2009. Check it out.

Sundance Film Festival Update

This is Sundance. Check out the complete screening schedule.

Useful links:
http://festival.sundance.org
www.sundance.org

Earth's Climate History

Richard Black's commentary on earth's climate history was educational and insightful. Thanks Richard. Check out the text only version.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim was spot on. These are days of hope and expectation.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.angloamerican.co.uk

Random Thoughts

A diamond’s trip down the pipeline can be a long one, with many stops along the way - at the rough dealer, the polisher, the jewelry maker and wholesaler - until it arrives in a store. And while all of theses stages are essential, the final eighteen inches across the retailer’s sales counter to the consumer are the critical stage. If the product fails to move across that final foot-and-a-half, the pipeline grinds to a halt.

- Ken Gassman
www.kennethgassman.com
www.diamondintelligence.com

So true!

SeARCH Projects

Check out new design styles by SeARCH + Christian Müller Architects. They are simply beautiful, really.

Useful links:
www.search.nl
www.christian-muller.com

The Cartier Column Project

Alessandro Mendini's striking Cartier Column (object d'art using fine/precious gems), a one-of-a-kind masterpiece will be on display at Art Basel Miami in the Cartier Salon in the Art Collectors Lounge of the the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 3 - 6, 2009. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.ateliermendini.it
www.cartier.com
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

TweetBookz

Internet entrepreneurs Asael Kahana and Jacob Shwirtz have launched TweetBookz, a book composed of any Twitter user’s history of tweets. I thought it was an interesting concept. Check it out. I wish them all the best.

Useful links:
www.tweetbookz.com
www.definitelysomething.com

Random Thoughts

If you're selling any asset today, you have to think of Asia. That's where the action is, that's where the power is, that's where the wealth is.

- Larry Warsh
Art collector/Founder of Museums Magazines
www.yishujournal.com
www.christies.com
www.graffdiamonds.com
www.auroragems.com

Spot on.

Stuart Haygarth

Stuart Haygarth is one-of-kind eco-artist. He literally turns trash into treasure. Have a look.

Useful links:
www.stuarthaygarth.com
www.haunchofvenison.com

The Map That Changed The World

The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester is a fascinating book about a truly forgotten man. A must read.

Useful link:

www.simonwinchester.com

Women In The Art World

Phoebe Hoban's opinion piece in the ARTnews about the impact of women on contemporary art was interesting. I think they deserve a lot of credit.

Useful links:
www.guggenheim.org
www.moca.org
www.nmwa.org
http://ps1.org
www.brooklynmuseum.org
www.moma.org
www.whitney.org
www.centrepompidou.fr
www.lacma.org
www.brainstormersreport.net
www.guerrillagirls.com

Jane Brown

Check out Jane Brown's (Observer) photography at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Useful links:
www.npg.org.uk
www.janebrownphotography.com

Amsterdam Sauer

Check out Amsterdam Sauer's new website featuring jewelry, watches and objets d'art from Brazil. www.amsterdamsauer.com

Global Business BBC

We are growing up in a new kind of society. The stories of new wave of entrepreneurs was interesting. Thanks Peter. I enjoyed it.

Useful links:
www.umh.ua
www.cdprojekt.com

Society6

Society6 is an accessible social network where art can be bought, sold, promoted, and created. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.society6.com

Random Thoughts

The temperature of the air is increasing, the temperature of the ocean is increasing, sea levels are rising - and the Sun appears to have very little influence on what we see.

- Dr Colin Summerhayes
www.scar.org
www.ats.aq
www.ipcc.ch
www.bas.ac.uk
www.awi.de

Let's just hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Platon Viewpoint

The interactive portfolio of portraits by Platon of world leaders was brilliant. I loved it.

Useful link:
www.platonphoto.com

Cédric Delsaux

The images of industrialized wasteland were shocking. Seeing is believing. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.cedricdelsaux.com

Design Korea 2009

Design = Creative industry = Engine of green growth.

Useful links:
www.designkorea.or.kr
www.bodw.com

New Medieval & Renaissance Galleries

Opening 2 December 2009. Victoria and Albert Museum is home to one of the world's most remarkable collections of treasures from the period. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.vam.ac.uk

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Gary was spot on. Good design is rare.

Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com
www.technogym.com
http://designthinking.ideo.com

Micropolitan Museum

The microbe portraits from the Micropolitan Museum were stunningly beautiful/educational. Hats off to Wim van Egmond!

Useful link:
www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/micropolitan
http://micropolitan.org

Evie Wyld

Evie Wyld has won this year's prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys literary prize. The novel tells the story of a father and son, their wars and the secrets they keep. Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.eviewyld.com
www.booktrust.org.uk

Trailblazing

The Royal Society, founded in London in 1660, is marking the start of its 350th year by putting 60 of its most memorable research papers online. Check it out.

Useful links:
http://trailblazing.royalsociety.org
http://royalsociety.org

Random Thoughts

We’re seeing a move incrementally back to what the Art Basel brand used to be over 30 years ago: a professional trade fair. We’ll see much less of the fashionista crowd this year who don’t purchase works or contribute in any meaningful way to the art world. Before the slump, the market was unrealistic and overblown. It has stabilised now, but keep in mind that the market is made up of many different strata.

- Todd Levin
www.levinartgroup.com
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

An interesting viewpoint on art market.

The Age Of Aging

The Age of Aging: How Demographics are Changing the Global Economy and Our World by George Magnus is an insightful book on the economics of aging. A must read.

Useful link:
www.georgemagnus.com

Red Dot Museum

Check out the red dot concept winners at www.red-dot.sg

World Press Photo 2009

World Press Photo winners gallery 2009. www.worldpressphoto.org

A Buddhist Tale

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about the stunningly beautiful Buddhist statues from China was interesting. All great cultures go through metamorphosis, and religion does play a part leaving their own distinctive fingerprints.

Useful links:
www.cernuschi.paris.fr
www.artasie.com
www.royalacademy.org.uk

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Thanksgiving Week. Beginning of the holiday seasons. The new fashion was brilliant. Tiny bits of fantasy. This is the real thing. Thanks Bill. I enjoyed it.

Random Thoughts

My joke is that it’s a business for the great-grandchildren. If you break through and create a brand, you can make it. But you have to be a serious player.

-Craig Hall
www.hallwines.com
www.robertmondaviwinery.com
www.wineamerica.org
www.newyorkwines.org

Spot on.

Art Market Update

The Economist art review was interesting. Who would have thought a few years ago that China would overtake France for the first time to become the third-biggest art market in the world? Amazing, really. China has got the momentum now. I hope they don't screw up.

Useful links:
www.the-saleroom.com
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
http://huachenauctions.com
www.chongyuan.cn
www.polypm.com.cn
www.cguardian.com
www.artseconomics.com

Artballing

I thought Michael Vaughan's artballing technique was interesting. I have never seen anything like this before. Brilliant, really.

It is a very rare thing to be able to follow a career path that you love and the opportunity to combine my two greatest passions - art and cricket - has been a sublime moment in an extraordinary life of highs and low, dreams and sometimes nightmares. Artballing captures the drama, speed and excitement of cricket in one precious, dynamic visual moment that, unlike the perfect six, lasts a lifetime.
- Michael Vaughan

Useful links:
www.michaelvaughan.net
www.castlegalleries.com

StoryCorps

StoryCorps = the art of natural storytelling / priceless moments via raw emotion. I believe these sort of projects help us keep in touch with our roots and history. It's real, it's what life is all about. I loved it.

Useful links:
www.storycorps.org
http://soundportraits.org

Best Business Books 2009

Best Business Books of 2009 by Strategy + Business.

DeRose Vineyards

Tamara Audi's story in the Wall Street Journal about DeRose Vineyards was interesting. Someday I would like to visit this winery to see the fault zone.

Useful links:
www.derosewine.com
www.es.ucsc.edu/personnel/Brodsky
www.usgs.gov

Maria Kalman Viewpoint

The way you interpreted special events like Thanksgiving was simply brilliant and inspiring. Thanks Maira. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Useful links:
www.mairakalman.com
http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com

The Modern Jade Story

Alexandra Seno's viewpoint in the Wall Street Journal about jade was interesting and insightful. Today, a string of plain, polished round beads in the much-desired shade of green (imperial jade) can command US$1 million. Spot on. The best colors are rare/old.

Useful links:
http://teufi.com
www.life-of-circle.com
www.qeelin.com

Costume Jewelry Update

Victoria Gomelsky's opinion piece in the New York Times was interesting. Costume jewelry = price diversity. Amazingly fine jewelry and costume jewelry coexist fantastically. Sign of the times, really.

Useful links:
www.gomelsky.net
www.chanel.com

Zimbabwe’s Diamond Mines

Joshua Hammer's report on Zimbabwean diamonds in Fast Company was educational and insightful. Sadly many companies/gem dealers will continue to do business in Zimbabwe.

Useful link:
www.joshuahammer.com

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell: The Photographs Behind the Art was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.nrm.org

Japan's Micro-Homes

Small is beautiful. It takes a lot to bring about change. It's a state of mind. Living small isn't easy, but people are starting to take notice of the trend. It may not be for everyone, but I love it.

Random Thoughts

They get one letter from me every couple of years. And basically it says, run this business like it's the only business that your family can own for the next 100 years. You can't sell it. But every year don't measure it by the earnings in the quarter that year. Measure it by whether the moat around that business, what gives it competitive advantage over time has widened or narrowed. If you keep doing that for 100 years, it's going to work out very well. Then I tell them basically if the reason for doing something is everybody else is doing it, it's not good enough. If you have to use that as a reason, forget it.

- Warren Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Spot on. I loved it.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Luke Johnson's opinion piece in the Financial Times about the dos and don'ts of business partnerships was interesting. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk
www.channel4.com
www.pentagram.com

Galaxy Game

I thought the web-based project Galaxy Zoo was a brilliant simulation exercise. The simulated images not only show the different aspects of galaxy formation, but also generate data that will help astronomers' understanding of these collisions.

Useful links:
http://mergers.galaxyzoo.org
www.galaxyzoo.org

World's Most Powerful Person

Forbes magazine has named U.S. President Barack Obama as the world's most powerful person. I hope he does the right thing for the world, and wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors.

Useful link:
www.barackobama.com

Open-Source Approach

Justin Lahart's story on Arduino in the Wall Street Journal was interesting. I think allowing duplication is a better way to spur innovation than keeping designs under lock and key.

Useful links:
www.arduino.cc
http://interactionivrea.org
http://web.media.mit.edu/~leah
http://thehighlowtech.com
www.sparkfun.com

Dance With Chance

Dance with Chance: Making Luck Work for You by Spyros Makridakis + Robin Hogarth + Anil Gaba is an insightful about how luck plays an important role in a person's wealth, health and happiness. A must read.

Useful link:

http://dancewithchance.com

Random Thoughts

The global financial crisis had its origins in short-term, unsustainable strategies and actions. Before the crisis and since, we (and others) have called for a more long-term and responsible form of capitalism – what we call “sustainable capitalism”. Yet despite our collective best efforts, one year on, the capital markets seem to be reverting to business as usual.

- Al Gore/David Blood
www.generationim.com
www.algore.com

Spot on.

Art Market Update

The Economist special report on the art market was interesting. The best that can be said about the market at the moment is that it is holding its breath, and there are still buyers in the market. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
http://sarah-thornton.com
www.artseconomics.com
www.us.capgemini.com/worldwealthreport08
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.drouot.com
www.bonhams.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim made a very interesting point. I love your posts and looking forward to read more from you. Thanks Chaim.

Useful links:
www.antwerpdiamondbank.com
www.diamondintelligence.com
http://ec.europa.eu

Diamonds Are A Jeweler’s Best Friend

Ken Gassman's survey about the diamond retail jewelry sector was interesting. Diamonds and diamond jewelry are the largest selling category in a specialty jeweler’s store everywhere. Period. Thanks Ken.

Useful links:
www.kennethgassman.com
www.jewelers.org
www.americangemsociety.org
www.instoremag.com
www.tiffany.com
www.bluenile.com

Courtauld Gallery

Check out Frank Auerbach’s paintings of the rebuilding of London, from the 1950s and early ’60s at the Courtauld Gallery. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.courtauld.ac.uk

World Design Capital 2012

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design has named the city of Helsinki (Finland) the World Design Capital for 2012. Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.icsid.org
www.wdc2012helsinki.fi

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol

A handwritten manuscript of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol has gone on display at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York. Don't miss. Charles Dickens exhibition - The Morgan Library and Museum

Conflict Gold

Check out a 60 Minutes piece on the role gold plays in fueling conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo this Sunday, November 29, 2009.

1-1-1 Model

I really liked Marc Benioff’s (Salesforce.com) 1-1-1 Model + his new book Behind the Cloud

Thanks to the falling cost of hardware, overseas coders, and on-demand services, start-ups need less capital to get off the ground.
- Marc Benioff

Commute Greener

Check out Commute Greener application via Volvo Group. The technology helps reduce global and personal CO2 footprints by greener commuting. Give it a try.

Useful links:
www.commutegreener.com
www.volvo.com

Getting Real

Getting Real is a collection of essays from the founders of 37signals. The concept of Getting Real is about doing it. Brilliant.

Useful links:
http://37signals.com
http://productblog.37signals.com