2009: The Year In Pictures

A brilliant recap of events. Hats off to New York Times.

Jeff Scher Viewpoint

Jeff Scher was spot on. I have always thought that staring into the dancing flames of a burning log was like painting with fire. It's an immersive experience. Thanks Jeff. I loved it.

Useful link:
http://fezfilms.net

Scroogenomics

I completely agree with the Economist /Joel Waldfogel. Ban presents. Give money instead.

Useful link:
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8972.html

Cartier And America

Cartier and America @ Fine Arts Museums. December 19, 2009 — April 18, 2010. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.famsf.org
www.cartier.com
http://fondation.cartier.com

A Reason To Smile

A jewelry store's idea of spreading holiday cheer by planting boxes of jewelry at local landmarks was brilliant. www.wickershamjewelry.com

Eco, Ethical And Fair Trade Gemstones: An Open Forum

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) session will focus on eco, ethical and fair trade gemstones in an open town hall format and will be held on February 5, 2010 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Tucson Convention Center. www.agta.org

Journey To Zero

Towards a non-carbon future. Check it out. www.journey-to-zero.com

Travel Photographer 2009

The winners of the 2009 international Travel Photographer of the Year awards have been announced. www.tpoty.com

Net-Zero Homes

Jim Carlton's report in the Wall Street Journal about net-zero homes was interesting. I would like to see more projects like this in India.

Useful links:
www.nrel.gov
www.ruraldevelopmentinc.org
www.zetacommunities.com
www.pepperviner.com

A Room With A Gallery In Paris

Seth Sherwoods's viewpoint in the New York Times about the new Paris was a brilliant piece. Paris has morphed remarkably. A great place for creativity and hospitality. Period.

Useful links:
http://hotel-particulier-montmartre.com
www.hotel-le-six.com
www.derbyhotels.com
www.hotel-des-academies.com
www.apostrophe-hotel.com
www.thefivehotel.com
www.onebythefive.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's report on the pros and cons of micro lending in Bangladesh was interesting. Now the question is whether micro lending will experience the same problems like the rest of the banking sector. Only time will tell.

Useful links:
www.grameen.com
www.safesave.org
www.brac.net

Random Thoughts

It’s really hard to teach out of a textbook when you consider the world we live in. The zero-gravity flight gives you a new tool for Newton’s laws.

- Geoffrey Bergen
www.brookfield.k12.ct.us
www.gozerog.com
www.northropgrumman.com
www.nsta.org
http://ies.ed.gov

I guess it helps educators to connect with students.

Zaha Hadid + MAXXI

Audio slide show. John Seabrook profiles the architect Zaha Hadid's concept for MAXXI, in Rome, which opened in November, 2009. I am a huge fan of Zaha's work.

Useful links:
www.zaha-hadid.com
www.maxxi.beniculturali.it
http://us.macmillan.com/flashofgenius

Heatherwick Studio

Check out Heatherwick's experimental techniques / projects. Simply brilliant designs.

Useful link:
www.heatherwick.com

The Fancy Color Diamond Book

A unique book titled, The Fancy Color Diamond Book, has been launched by Eden Rachminov, the managing owner of Rachminov Diamonds 1891. The book contains a substantial amount of information about the range of fancy colors of diamonds, as well as about grading, clarity, the challenges of cutting fancy color diamonds and the role of fluorescence in determining the value of fancy color diamonds. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.fancycolor.net
www.rachminovdiamonds.com

Jewelry Market Update

Ken Gassman's viewpoint in IdexOnline about self-purchasing women was spot on. She will make the buying decision, and will often pay for the jewelry herself. Thanks Ken.

Useful link:
www.kennethgassman.com

Wireless Health

A group of experts and innovators at UCLA are designing healthy cities to promote health and wellness across the country. I wish India had the same technology, skills and attitude to connect the dots.

Useful link:
www.wirelesshealth.ucla.edu

Unusual Destinations

(via LaTimes) Bizarre and unusual destinations around the world. Simply brilliant.

Random Thoughts

In Silicon Valley we have a saying: launch early, launch often. It’s an acknowledgment that successful, innovative companies are the ones that rapidly try new ideas, see what works, improve their products and repeat. Businesses that launch frequently are also able to take advantage of economies of scale to make launchings faster and easier. In many ways, the key to innovation is speed of execution.

- Edward Lu
www.google.org
www.edlu.com

So true!

Pleased, But Not Satisfied

Pleased But Not Satisfied by David Sokol is an insightful book about managing business. Many business pundits believe that David Sokol may be on the short list to eventually succeed Warren Buffett as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. A must read.

Useful links:
www.midamericanenergy.com
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

This seems like a great wine list. Something for everyone. Thanks Jancis.

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

BenCab Museum

Alexandra Seno's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about Benedicto Cabrera's prized collection of contemporary Filipino artworks/tribal art was interesting.

With collecting you learn.
- Benedicto Cabrera

Useful links:
http://bencabmuseum.org
www.singart.com
www.andrewshiregallery.com
www.stpi.com.sg

LabGem, Portugal

Check out the digital periodical from LabGem. It's educational and insightful.

Useful link:
www.labgem.org

Green Funiture

I really liked Ronen Kadushin's green designs. Recently I came across readily cleanable / recylable armchair, which I thought was a brilliant idea. Keep up the good work.

Useful links:
www.ronen-kadushin.com
www.movisi.com

Bill Burnham Viewpoint

Great post, Bill. I agree with all of what you said. I would like to see real money going for innovation in other fields as well.

Useful link:
http://billburnham.blogs.com

Random Thoughts

Henry Hazlitt, one of the great popularisers of free-market thinking, once said that good ideas have to be relearned in every generation. This is certainly true of good ideas about business.

- The Economist
www.economist.com

Spot on.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street Standouts. Bill Cunningham's overview of men's style with unexpected color was brilliant. I loved it.

Carmen Herrera Story

Deborah Sontag's opinion piece in the New York Times about Carmen Herrera was an inspiring story. How can we have missed these beautiful artworks? Hats off to Carmen!

We have a saying in Puerto Rico. The bus — la guagua — always comes for those who wait.
- Tony Bechara

I do it because I have to do it; it’s a compulsion that also gives me pleasure. I never in my life had any idea of money and I thought fame was a very vulgar thing. So I just worked and waited. And at the end of my life, I’m getting a lot of recognition, to my amazement and my pleasure, actually.
- Carmen Herrera

Useful links:
www.walkerart.org
www.moma.org
http://hirshhorn.si.edu
www.tate.org.uk

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Gary was spot on. Towers Perrin's Global Workforce Survey was an eye opener and interesting. Thanks Gary.

Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com
www.towersperrin.com

Ten Tactics

10 tactics = Turning information into action. Give it a try.

Useful links:
http://tacticaltech.org
www.informationactivism.org
www.witness.org

Safe Agua Chile

The new tools developed by students to help bring safe and clean water to the slums of Chile was brilliant and inspiring. I think we need similar projects in India.

Useful links:
http://tech.ashoka.org
http://www.designmatters.artcenter.edu

Art Market Update

The Economist report about the state of the contemporary art market was insightful. Collectors were chasing for the new new of everything and buying quality. Buyers in every sector of the art market now seem to follow a pattern. Stay tuned.

Prices today reflect what is happening out there. People are discounting the coming inflation and buying quality. They know that inflation has always been the art dealer’s friend.
- David Mason

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.macconnal-mason.com

Christmas Card Art

A selection of Christmas cards designed by artists have gone on display at Tate Britain, in London. www.tate.org.uk/britain

Mobile Internet Report

The Morgan Stanley report on rapidly changing mobile internet was interesting. Check it out.

- The Mobile Internet Report Setup
- The Mobile Internet Report Key Themes
- The Mobile Internet Report

Useful link:
www.morganstanley.com

The New Gold Party

Kelly Evan's report in the Wall Street Journal about the new kind of social gathering (the gold party) was interesting. I guess it's the excitement and convenience that's attracting the attention of gold sellers. The best advice: always do your research.

Useful links:
www.itsagoldmineparty.com
www.partyofgold.com

Motherland Afghanistan

The movie is about an Afghan born doctor, who lived/trained in the US returns to try help maternal surgical care. A moving/inspiring movie, really. Don't miss.

Sacred Spain: Art And Belief In The Spanish World

During the 17th century El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán, Murillo and others created art that spurred both admiration and devotion. See magnificent works—paintings, sculpture and more—from Spain, Mexico, Peru and Colombia, including the famed and rarely displayed Crown of the Andes, a baroque gold crown set with 450 emeralds. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.imamuseum.org

Earth-Like Planets

George Musser's viewpoints in Scientific American about extrasolar planets was interesting. I have always thought that there must be rigid shells of diamond and other crystals embedded in rocks in the galaxy waiting to be discovered. I hope the Kepler spacecraft will find diamond-rich planets in the near term. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.psi.edu
www.ciw.edu
www.princeton.edu
http://kepler.nasa.gov

Gemstone Creative

Gemstone Creative is the brainchild of Mark Hirschel/Sarah Stultman who have assembled talent in the fields of mosaic art and jewelry setting to be able to bring this unique concept to the marketplace. Interesting collectors pieces.

Useful links:
www.gemstonecreative.com
www.londonartfair.co.uk

Random Thoughts

Social media is becoming the web, and social media is becoming the media. It's been a nice area to be covering these last few years, and we've been able to grow as a blog alongside it. There's very little on the web that hasn't had this social element built in to it. It's integrated in to every site you use now.

- Pete Cashmore
http://mashable.com

Spot on.

Fahrenheit 212

Some people say Fahrenheit 212 is innovator's paradise. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.fahrenheit-212.com

Wrekin Ruby

I think the two-kilo Wrekin Ruby would be worth more as a geological curio than a gemstone. The ruby, weighing more than 10,000 carats (two kilos), was valued at £11 million (a big joke, really). At one point it was speculated that it could be worth as little as £100 (maybe). The game is not over. Stay tuned.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim was spot on. The diamond industry is an oligopoly with a handful of corporate players. The whole concept of continued global generic diamond promotion is still a great idea, but at the end of the day it's all about money, results and leadership.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
http://eng.alrosa.ru
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.riotinto.com
www.bhpbilliton.com

Responsible Jewellery Council's Certification System

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that its certification system is now fully operational to certify its members for responsible ethical, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond and gold jewelry supply chain. I hope the sector-wide initiative will improve consumer confidence in the long term. For more information, contact www.responsiblejewellery.com

SunRun

Impressive and innovative solar startup that saves energy and cash. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.sunrunhome.com

Person Of The Year 2009

Ben Bernanke is TIME's Person of the Year for 2009. I think he is the most important player in the world's most important economy. Congratulations! I hope he does the right thing for the world.

Useful link:
www.federalreserve.gov

A Country That Loves Art

Meet the United States Artists Fellows for 2009. I think art inspires peoples lives. I wish the USA fellows all the best.

Useful link:
www.unitedstatesartists.org

Jon Rafman

Check out Jon Rafman's brilliant collection of artworks with a story. Stunningly natural and immersive, really.

Useful links:
http://jonrafman.com
http://googlestreetviews.com

Blippy

Blippy is a soon-to-start online social network that lets you share details of your credit card purchases with friends or strangers. Interesting concept, really. All the best.

Useful link:
http://blippy.com

Diamonds

Noble Gems International has announced the publication of the new edition of Diamonds by Marijan Dundek. Check it out. www.noblegems.com

Gold Market Update

The Financial Times report on gold was interesting. So many constituencies are taking refuge in gold that its price surge is the symbol of the age: a store of anxiety as well as value. How will gold buyers be able to tell when the top of the market is about to arrive? After all, gold is almost impossible to value beyond the cost of production, which today stands way below the current price. Apart from jewelry and small industrial applications, such as in electronics, gold has no use other than as an investment. So true!

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Luke was spot on. I thought Peter the entrepreneur's parlour game (money, power and recognition) was a brilliant way to cut out the fluff. I liked it because of the honesty of the words.

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

Random Thoughts

We teach the kids that by having more money coming in than going out, they will amass wealth which will give them financial freedom to do good for themselves, others and the world.

- Naomi Schachter
www.financiallyfreellc.com
www.creativewealthintl.org
www.campmillionairepa.com

Spot on.

Jason Hawkes

Jason Hawkes specialises in aerial photography. They are stunningly beautiful.

Useful link:
www.jasonhawkes.com

The Botany Of Desire

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan is a fascinating book that will change the way we think about our place in nature. A must read.

Useful link:

www.michaelpollan.com

The London Array

The London Array offshore windfarm is all set to become the largest windfarm in the world following its scheduled completion in 2012, becoming the first in the 1-gigawatt class.

Useful links:
www.londonarray.com
www.energy.siemens.com

Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-city Biennale Of Urbanism\Architecture 2009

China is the new design/architecture laboratory/capital of the world. There is a lot to learn from China so keep an open mind. The Shenzhen side of the biennale runs through January 23, 2010; Hong Kong biennale is up until February 27, 2010). Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.szhkbiennale.org
http://hkszbiennale.org
www.bodw.com

Planetary Skin Institute

The organization will develop and prototype all the technologies necessary to make it work. All the best.

Useful links:
www.planetaryskin.org
www.nasa.gov
www.cisco.com
http://en.cop15.dk
http://unfccc.int
www.connectedurbandevelopment.org

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's interview with bankers, academics and investors in the microfinance sector in Bolivia was interesting. Many startups are jumping on the microlending bandwagon. I hope they don't turn out to be a bubble.

Useful links:
www.grameen.com
www.brac.net
https://promujer.org

Trunkated Trunk

I really liked Eugenie Scrase's Trunkated Trunk for its natural look. Congratulations for winning at the BBC Two's School of Saatchi show.

Useful links:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p71qk
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk

Random Thoughts

We didn't do all the smartest things. We didn't do anything really dumb. I made plenty of mistakes. I didn't maximize the opportunities offered by the chaos. But in the end, it worked out OK.

- Warren Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Spot on.

Poverty Action Lab

(via Wiki) The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab is an academic center located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and dedicated to field research in development economics. Lab affiliates implement randomized controlled trials (RCTs) similar to those used in medical research in order to answer questions in economics and related social sciences.

Useful link:
www.povertyactionlab.org

The Nabokov Collection

The Nabokov Collection = Simply beautiful. A brilliant project.

Useful links:
http://designobserver.com
www.nabokovmuseum.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Nabokov

Random Thoughts

It is already known that the color of a drink can influence the way we taste it. We wanted to know whether background lighting, for example in a restaurant, makes a difference as well. The extreme lighting conditions found in some bars can undoubtedly influence the way a wine tastes. We thought it was simply that colours that people found agreeable would put them in an agreeable mood. However early tests seem to show that it is not as simple as that. We still believe however that it is something to do with the mood they put people in. For some reason some colors put people in a more positive mood.

- Dr Daniel Oberfeld-Twistel
www.staff.uni-mainz.de/oberfeld

Spot on.

Home Gallery

Home Gallery = a style born of necessity. Penelope Green's opinion piece in the New York Times was interesting.

Useful links:
www.gavlakgallery.com
http://threescompany.tv
www.newmuseum.org
http://artforum.com
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

Christmas Past

The Geffrye Museum is celebrating the best of Christmas past. Take a tour.

Useful link:
www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

CIBJO Congress 2010

The CIBJO Congress will be held in Munich, Germany, February 19-22, 2010. For more information contact www.cibjo.org

National Geographic: The Image Collection

The National Geographic is coming out with a book called National Geographic: The Image Collection and is available online. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.ngsimages.com

Human-centered Design Solutions

Allison Arieff's opinion piece in the New York Times about Kaiser Permanente's total health journey/design solutions for health care was educational and insightful. Thanks Allison. There is no reason why other corporations/institutions can take a cue from Kaiser’s efforts and innovate.

Useful links:
www.kaiserpermanente.org
www.campbell-ewald.com
http://xnet.kp.org/innovationcenter

Random Thoughts

The way to solve this problem is to let people go bankrupt. Then you will hit bottom and then you start over. The people who are sound will take over the assets from the people who aren't sound and we will start over. This is the way the world has worked for a few thousand years.

- Jim Rogers
www.jimrogers.com

Spot on.

Faces Of Copenhagen Summit 2009

Follow Guardian's interactive explainer and find out the issues, people involved in the deal-making, and the numbers that will be crunched at the conference.

Useful links:
http://en.cop15.dk
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/copenhagen

The Back To School Experience

I thought the story of U.K's top top arts bosses swapping places with headteachers for a day was a fascinating concept. You are looking at something you've never seen in your life before.

Useful links:
www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk
www.tate.org.uk
www.thomastallis.co.uk
www.rsc.org.uk
www.roh.org.uk
www.thegrays.thurrock.sch.uk
www.capeuk.org

The Great Recession Stories

Thomas Friedman's opinion piece in the New York Times about do-it-yourself economy was an eye-opener. Thanks Tom.

Useful links:
www.thomaslfriedman.com
www.thinkgreer.com
www.box.net
www.istockphoto.com
www.voices.com
http://audiojungle.net

Roz Savage

Roz Savage is an extraordinary woman. She has rowed single-handed across the Atlantic and is now tackling the Pacific. Read her story.

Useful link:
http://rozsavage.com

The Blind Side

The Blind Side is a sports film written and directed by John Lee Hancock. The movie is based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.theblindsidemovie.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Lewis_(author)

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street Leg It. Boots over-the-knee Robin Hood style is the story of the season. Popular fashion, really. Thanks Bill.

Think Socially. Act Locally

Jessica Shambora's viewpoints in Fortune about the newest trend in e-commerce was interesting. It's really amazing how masses can become attracted to social web, and if it clicks the impact is phenomenal.

Useful links:
www.groupon.com
www.accel.com

Random Thoughts

The same idea, if it’s born in Silicon Valley it goes the distance. If it’s born in India it does not go the distance.

- Nadathur S. Raghavan
www.nsrcel.org

Spot on.

The Best Of 2009

Top 10 of Everything in 2009. TIME's top picks of the year. It was interesting.

Virtual Oxford Street

Near Global's cyber-version of the London's West End was brilliant. I liked it. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.nearglobal.com
http://secondlife.com

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

Thanks Jancis for the list of distinctly superior wines. It was useful.

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

1000 Comic Books You Must Read

1000 Comic Books You Must Read Check it out.

Useful links:
www.krausebooks.com
www.worldfamouscomics.com

Jewelry Market Update

Ken Gassman's viewpoints in IdexOnline about women shoppers in the U.S and the population projections for the next several decades was interesting. I wonder what will be the status of Indian consumers with discretionary income in the coming decades.

Useful links:
www.kennethgassman.com
www.census.gov

Climatoon

The animated climate change chat was brilliant. I loved it. Thank you Jesse Hardman/Arthur Jones.

Useful links:
http://jessehardman.com
www.byarthurjones.com

Ruby Report

Herb Weisbaum's viewpoints in MSNBC about treated/composite rubies was educational and insightful. As a matter of fact treated rubies are everywhere. If you are doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Coral Report

Victoria Gomelsky's viewpoints in the New York Times about coral jewelry and the enviornmental effects was interesting. To wear or not to wear - that's the question.

Useful links:
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org
www.seaweb.org
www.mauidivers.com
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.cites.org

The Carbon Economy Summit

Xplane/Economist infographics on global climate change was insightful. I learned a lot. Thanks.

Useful links:
http://carboneconomy.economist.com
www.xplane.com

Jaime Hayón

Spanish design. A new jewelry store. Meet Jaime Hayón.

Useful link:
www.hayonstudio.com

Invictus

Invictus is a Clint Eastwood film based on Nelson Mandela's life during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com

Ideas 2009

A to Z, the most clever, important, silly and just plain weird innovations from all corners of the thinking world. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you New York Times.

Framestore

Get an insight into the computer-generated effects and stereoscopic film-making used in the production of James Cameron's sci-fi fantasy Avatar. Thanks BBC.

Useful links:
www.framestore.com
www.avatarmovie.com
www.avatar-movie.org

100 Places To Remember

100 places to remember before they disappear is an outdoor exhibition currently on show in Copenhagen featuring 100 photographs from 100 different places around the world that are threatened by climate change. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.100places.com
www.ipcc.ch
http://en.cop15.dk

Matthew Bourne

Meet Matthew Bourne, UK’s most popular and successful choreographer/director. Storytelling via dance is an immersive experience. He is creative and inspiring. Seeing is believing. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.new-adventures.net
www.swanlaketour.com

Diamond Consumption

Chaim Even Zohar's viewpoint on diamond jewelry consumption was interesting. According to Chaim, China, India and Japan together could become the next diamond consumption giants in less than a decade. This would profoundly impact virtually every diamond company in the market. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.diamondintelligence.com

President Obama Gets 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

President Barack Obama is truly an oratorial genius. Congratulations. In my view, it was a thoughtful and honest speech. I hope he is able to accomplish his goals. All the best.

Useful link:
http://nobelprize.org

Pantone Color 2010

Pantone has officially announced 2010’s color of the year: Turquoise. I hope it works.

Useful links:
www.pantone.com
www.colorexpert.com
http://eisemancolorblog.com

Bernhard Edmaier

Check out Bernhard Edmaier's photographs of active and dormant volcanoes from around the world. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.geophot.com

Jordan Wolfson

Meet Jordan Wolfson, and explore Wolfson's world of art.

Useful links:
www.friezefoundation.org/cartier
www.johannkoenig.de
www.jordanwolfson.org

Art Market Update

Artworks by Raphael, Head of a Muse (£29.2m) + Rembrandt, Portrait of a Man, Half-Length, With His Arms Akimbo (£20.2m) has been sold by the Christies for almost £50m, setting a world record price for the artists. Genuine Rembrandts/Raphaels will always fetch very high prices, period.

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.rembrandtpainting.net

CounterSketch Studio

Check out the new 3-D jewelry design experience via Gemvision.

Useful links:
www.countersketchstudio.com
www.stuller.com
www.gemvision.com