The Great Life Photographers

The book offers more than 100 portfolios including those of Alfred Eisenstaedt, Margaret Bourke-White, Carl Mydans, Gordon Parks, W. Eugene Smith, Robert Capa, Ralph Morse, Nina Leen, Harry Benson, Philippe Halsman, and Joe McNally, whose work for LIFE in the aftermath of September 11 was in the finest tradition of the magazine. Each portfolio includes a short biography, offering an intimate look at the people behind the lens. This is a must-have book, really.

Global Business BBC

Singapore Startups. An interesting overview by Peter Day.

Useful links:
http://www.insead.edu
http://www.nuffnang.com.sg
http://www.wego.com
http://www.awfullychocolate.com

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

EITI reports. http://eiti.org

The Taj Mahal Gold Coin

A unique opportunity to buy a piece of history. http://www.monnaiedeparis.com + http://www.franklinmint.com

Art Gensler

Gensler viewpoints/projects. http://www.gensler.com

I Paid A Bribe

Paid bribe in India? Vent here. http://ipaidabribe.com

Molecular Animation

Erick Olsen's artilce in the New York Times on molecular animation was a great piece. I think visualization should play a significant role in education.

Useful links:
http://www.gnomonschool.com
http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/home/home.do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbcWGU8fpxA&feature=related%20?
http://www.xvivo.net/powering-the-cell-mitochondria
http://www.biovision.com

Kelly Slater

Kelly Slater = the most fluid/balanced surfer in competitive surfing = poetry in motion. Take a look. http://www.kellyslater.com

Camera Culture Group

A camera that can shoot around corners has been developed by scientists at the MIT Media Lab. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://cameraculture.media.mit.edu
http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~nayar/bio.html

Youssef Nabil

Take a look at Nabil's work of art. http://www.youssefnabil.com

Kinect Adventure

A Good Science Studio initiative. http://www.microsoft.com/games

Cacao Genome Project

The whole of the genome is in the public domain and protected from patenting for perpetuity so everyone would have free and continued access to it. Dr Yana Shapiro. http://www.cacaogenomedb.org

Prix Pictet Photography 2011

The organizers of the annual Prix Pictet photography competition has announced their shortlist for the 2011 prize. Take a look. A preview of the shortlist can be seen at Galerie Filles du Calvaire, Paris, France until November 29 2010. http://www.prixpictet.com

Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work

I believe this book is a must-read for anyone in business. Fascinating, really.

Useful links:
http://www.hare.org
http://www.hrbackoffice.com

The Graff Pink

An exceptionally rare 24.78-carat, VVS2, fancy intense pink diamond of the purest, vibrant hue has been sold by the Sotheby’s (Geneva) for $46,158,674 (CHF 45,442,500). The winning bid went to Laurence Graff, and shortly after the sale, Graff named the diamond 'The Graff Pink'.

Useful links:
http://www.graffdiamonds.com
http://www.sothebys.com

Random Thoughts

This is not a case of the simple repatriation of objects. People from China want to be surrounded by art they are familiar with from the past, that they have seen in museums, and in books or remember from their parents and grandparents homes--rather than English silver and French furniture. There is no logic to what they will pay--no price tag. If they want something, there is no stopping them. They will go through the roof to buy it.


- Giuseppi Eskenazi
http://www.eskenazi.co.uk


Spot on.

Christopher Elbow Chocolates

Amazing. They are mini works of art. http://www.elbowchocolates.com

Peace Dividend Trust

Innovative funding initiatives in developing markets. Take a look at PDT's insightful approach in implementing new operational ideas for improving aid. http://www.peacedividendtrust.org

Hasselblad Masters

Hasselblad Masters photography prize. Take a look at established/rising photographic artists. http://www.hasselblad.com

Diamond Market Update

Q & A. Martin Rapaport + Stephen Lussier discussion on global diamond demand was educational and insightful. http://www.diamonds.net

Today's Special

A heartwarming Tandoori comedy. http://www.todaysspecial.com

Arnolfini

Fun with software. Interactive art. Don't miss. http://www.arnolfini.org.uk

Art Market Update

The Economist report on Abu Dhabi Art was interesting and insightful. Great many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.abudhabiartfair.ae
http://thepacegallery.com
http://www.galleryhyundai.com
http://www.whitecube.com
http://www.paradiserow.com
http://www.agialart.com
http://www.barjeelartfoundation.com
http://www.operagallery.com

Nonobject

Hats off to Branko Lukic. I loved it. http://nonobjectbook.com

Gems Among Us Contest Update

Jewelry Information Center has announced the top 10 finalists in its Gems Among Us Contest. Take a look. http://www.jic.org

Qianlong Chinese Porcelain Vase

A vase found in a house-clearance in London has been sold for £43m, thought to be a record for any Chinese artwork. Amazing price discovery. Take a look. http://www.bainbridgesauctions.co.uk

The Diamond Route

Sharing knowledge/resources. http://www.diamondroute.co.za

Lynsey Addario

Brilliant/powerful narrative. http://www.lynseyaddario.com

Tauba Auerbach

Wordless books. I loved it. http://www.taubaauerbach.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day talks to Aamir Khan on social change. I enjoyed it. Many thanks Peter.

Useful links:
http://www.aamirkhan.com
http://www.peeplilivethefilm.com
http://www.lagaan.com
http://www.taarezameenpar.com

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

David Chancellor photography. Natural. Powerful. Beautiful. Africa will be always an inspiring place.

Useful links:
http://www.davidchancellor.com 
http://www.npg.org.uk

Neues Museum

A sculpture collection which was condemned by Hitler's Nazis is on display at Berlin's Neues Museum. Take a look. http://www.neues-museum.de

Pledge to Give Away

Inspiring note. http://givingpledge.org

The Story of Electronics

Annie Leonard is back with The Story of Electronics with surprising facts. Check it out. http://www.storyofstuff.com

Awfully Chocolate

Lyn Lee's chocolate story. http://www.awfullychocolate.com

Global Business BBC

Chilean entrepreneur Fernando Fischmann's unique's technology to keep the water in lagoons clear was interesting/insightful. Many thanks to Peter Day for sharing the story. http://www.crystal-lagoons.com

Christmas Story Contest

I thought jeweler James Avery's 'Christmas Memories: Stories of Life, Love and Faith' contest on its Facebook page was a brilliant idea. I liked it. http://secure.jamesavery.com

Christoph Gielen

Eye-catching. Really. Take a look. http://www.christophgielen.com

Michel Houellebecq

Michel Houellebecq has finally won the Prix Goncourt. All the best.

Useful links:
http://www.houellebecq.info
http://www.academie-goncourt.fr

The Business Of Innovation

Fiona Graham's insightful report in BBC News on innovation was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.stevenberlinjohnson.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU

James Turrell

A brilliant exhibition by James Turrell. http://www.gagosian.com

Fighting Counterfeiting

I thought The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie's new short film competition titled  'Fakes: Caught on Camera,' was a brilliant approach to raise public awareness. Check it out. http://www.hautehorlogerie.org

Ultra-fast Computer-assisted Trading

David Zax's story in Fast Company about MIT researcher's (Alexander Wissner-Gross + Cameron Freer) innovative solution to ultra-fast computer-assisted trading was interesting. http://www.alexwg.org

Erika Larsen

Erika's photos were simply beautiful. http://erikalarsenphoto.com

Ognissanti Crucifix

Giotto di Bondon's art. http://www.opificiodellepietredure.it

The Comica 2010

Explore the world of comics, graphic novels and manga at the annual Comica Festival. http://www.comicafestival.com

Random Thoughts

There is definitely a new energy out there. We are living in a moment when film makers, and young film makers in particular, are increasingly turning towards documentary as a way to make sense of the world they live in. They are more alert about, and suspicious of the mainstream media and eager for a form that talks to them about real events in a real way, even if that form is rough or even low-key. It's a very exciting and ground-breaking time for the documentary.

- Hussain Currimbhoy
http://sheffdocfest.com

Spot on.

Art Market Update

After last week's impressionist sales, it is the turn of contemporary art to go under the hammer. At Christie's, Campbell's Soup Can With Can Opener by Andy Warhol is among the star turns, estimated at $30-50m (£18m-£30m). Sotheby's has a Coca-Cola bottle canvas by him at $20-25m. The answer, or part of it, is that the very top of the art market is semi-detached from the movements of individual economies. Rather, it is bound up with the tastes and choices of a number of super-rich people in Europe and America – and, increasingly, Russia, China and the Middle East. As Brett Gorvy, deputy chairman of Christie's, put it: "The market is not reliant on one single economy at any one time." Charlotte Higgins was spot on. The trend among the emerging super-rich is to have the right contemporary art = a badge of elite wealth.

Useful links:
http://sarah-thornton.com
http://www.sothebys.com
http://www.christies.com

Somali Pirates’ Business Model

Somali pirates avoid symmetrical conflict. Instead they use stealth and surprise, attacking targets at their weakest point. According to Prof David James of Henley Business School, the most important lessons firms/startups can learn from Somali pirates' operating systems is strategy. Interesting viewpoint, really.

How To Manufacture A Diamond

Take a look. http://www.safdico.com

Irving Penn Archaeology

Visual poetry. http://www.pacemacgill.com

The Botswana Story

I think Botswana is a lucky country. I hope they do the right thing with the natural resources. I think the emphasis should be on sustainability. Many thanks to Fiona Foster for sharing an interesting story.

Useful links:
http://www.survivalinternational.org
http://www.debeersgroup.com/debswana
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com
http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Journey Through The Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book Of The Dead

Once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. http://www.britishmuseum.org

Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender Update

All 55 of the diamonds in Rio Tinto’s 2010 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been sold out. These results are true indications of rarity and value. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
https://www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
http://www.riotintodiamonds.com

Lost Bohemia

A film by Josef Birdman Astor. http://www.lostbohemia.com

Random Thoughts

No diamond of that size had ever been found before that and hasn't been found since.

- Jeffrey Post
Curator, National Gem Collection
http://mineralsciences.si.edu/index.htm

Spot on.

Andesine Update

Richard Hughes is an internationally well-known colored stone expert. The subject of andesine in Tibet has been one of controversy since 2008. He examines the history of the controversy, along with detailing an October 2010 visit to the Tibetan andesine mines. http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/tibet-andesine.htm

Good Purpose Report

2010 Report. http://www.edelman.ie

Exit Through The Gift Shop

A Banksy Film. http://www.banksyfilm.com + http://www.griersontrust.org

The Promise

The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen. http://www.brucespringsteen.net

Gems & Gemology

The Fall 2010 issue of Gems & Gemology (G&G) focuses on major industry developments that shaped the millennium’s first decade. This special edition of the quarterly scientific journal, published by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), features a retrospective on changes in marketing and distribution, gem localities, treatments and analytical techniques. Get a copy. http://www.gia.edu

Botswana Diamonds

A different viewpoint. According to Survival International the Bushmen were illegally evicted from their ancestral lands to make way for diamond mining. At the time, the government denied a significant diamond deposit on their land existed. Eight years later, Gem Diamonds, which bought the concession from De Beers, is in negotiations to construct a $3.3 billion mine at one of the Bushman communities. Good/bad news, really.

Useful links:
http://www.survivalinternational.org
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com
http://www.gemdiamonds.com

Gem Diamonds Update

A remarkable 185 carat rough white diamond has been recovered from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. Take a look. http://www.gemdiamonds.com

Set In Style: The Jewelry Of Van Cleef & Arpels

Mark your calendar. The Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum will host an exhibit, “Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels,” starting on February 18 - June 5, 2011. http://www.vancleef-arpels.com

Moguls And Movie Stars: A History Of Hollywood

The true story of the American film industry. http://www.tcm.com

Garden Of Buddhas

There is something pure and powerful about this landscape. The shape of the hills is like a lotus petal blossoming. Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche. A must visit. http://www.ewambuddhagarden.org

Rosenblum Collection & Friends

One-of-a-kind approach. A place for contemporary artists to become visible + meet friends. Rosenblum Collection & Friends is at 183, rue du Chevaleret, 75013, Paris.http://www.rosenblumcollection.eu. Anyone wanting to visit should join the network of Facebook-style friends at the website. http://rosenblumcollection.fr

Alex Ross

Listen to this. Get a copy. http://www.therestisnoise.com

Timeless Investment Classics

Many thanks to Joseph L. Shaefer for the insightful post. Keep up the good work. http://www.stanfordwealth.com

Fate Of The World

Fate of the World features data from real-world climate models, anecdotes from the polar explorer Pen Hadow and input from a team of scientists and economists in the US and UK. Hats off to game designers/Red Redemption.

Useful links:
http://www.fateoftheworld.net
http://www.red-redemption.com
http://www.gamesforchange.org
http://www.darfurisdying.com
http://www.enercities.eu
http://www.playagainstallodds.com

Iris van Daalen

Jewelry out of hair. Interesting approach. http://irisvandaalen.nl

And The Pursuit Of Happiness

I am a huge fan of Maira Kalman. And the Pursuit of Happiness is a great book. Go and get a copy. http://www.mairakalman.com

The Imagine Project

Herbie Hancock's The Imagine Project was a truly global selection. I loved it. Great many thanks. http://www.herbiehancock.com

Charles Landry

Charles Landry knows what makes cities great: Distinction + Variety + Flow. Toolkit for urban innovators. http://www.charleslandry.com

GRID Competition

A brilliant/cool competition. I liked it. http://nikegrid.com

Alfred Wertheimer

Alfred’s pictures are treasures today. They can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery, in Washington, D.C., October 23, 2010 -  January 23, 2011. http://www.npg.si.edu

Carol Brodie

Each piece of jewelry has a moment, meaning or memory. Carol Brodie. Spot on.

Useful links:
http://carolbrodieandco.com
http://blogs.hsn.com/author/CarolBrodie

Cinemateca Boliviana

Hats off to Alejandro Villegas, the only archivist at Cinemateca Boliviana for going the extra mile to preserve and safeguard Bolivia's film heritage. Great many thanks to Mattia Cabitza for sharing the story.

Useful link:
http://www.cinematecaboliviana.org

Art Market Update

Konstantin Rozhnov's viewpoints on Ruusia's art market was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.guelman.ru
http://www.artadvisoryservices.com

Hella Jongerius

The art of imperfection. I liked it. http://www.jongeriuslab.com

Form + Code

The new book FORM+CODE In Design, Art and Architecture by Casey Reas + Chandler McWilliams is a must read. http://formandcode.com

Mookaite

Mookaite is an attractive ornamental rock that is mined in Western Australia. I really liked the stone because of the beautiful patterns. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://outbackmining.com/mookaite.htm
http://www.australiangemmologist.com.au/current.html

Waste Land Movie

An uplifting story. Don't miss. http://www.wastelandmovie.com

Asian Innovation Award 2010

Tata Chemicals Ltd.'s filter, called Swach, the Hindi word for clean, has won The Wall Street Journal's Asian Innovation Award Gold prize. Congratulations. http://www.tataswach.com

Filtrete Water Station

A brilliant innovation from 3M + IDEO. Take a look. Filtrete Water Station

Aston Martin DB5

Harry Yeaggy has paid £2.6m to buy James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5. Take a look. http://www.rmauctions.com

AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010

AGTA Spectrum Awards is an annual natural colored gemstone & cultured pearl jewelry design competition. Here are the winners from the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards competition. http://www.agta.org/awards/2010-winners

A Week At The Airport

An interesting book, really. Many thanks for sharing a unique experience. http://www.alaindebotton.com

Graphic: Inside The Sketchbooks Of The World's Great Graphic Designers

Steven Heller + Lita Talarico takes us inside the brains of the greatest design minds working today.

Useful link:
http://www.hellerbooks.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day continues his investigation in to what makes a good chief executive. Don't miss.

Useful links:
http://www.hcltech.com
http://www.globalsinc.com

Food Landscapes

Take a look at Carl Warner's imaginative collections. They are stunningly beautiful. I liked it.  http://www.carlwarner.com

Landscape Photographer 2010

Antony Spencer has won the prestigious title of Landscape Photographer of the Year 2010. Congratulations. http://www.take-a-view.co.uk

Hope Diamond Special

Smithsonian Channel will premiere a one-hour special, Mystery of the Hope Diamond, on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. Don't miss.

Useful link:
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/hope

Amber From India

Scientists have discovered a treasure trove of prehistoric insects preserved in amber in India. The new deposits, which the scientists have likened to a huge cache of herbal cough drops, were found in the open-cast coal mines of the Cambay region of north-west India. Many thanks to Steve Connor for sharing the info.

The Power Of Ideas

The 74 young entrepreneurs of The Power of Ideas Class of 2010. All the best. http://www.ideas.economictimes.com

Random Thoughts

Look. You could take all the gold that's ever been mined, and it would fill a cube 67 feet in each direction. For what that's worth at current gold prices, you could buy all -- not some -- all of the farmland in the United States. Plus, you could buy 10 Exxon Mobils, plus have $1 trillion of walking-around money. Or you could have a big cube of metal. Which would you take? Which is going to produce more value?

- Warren E. Buffett
http://www.berkshirehathaway.com

Equities.

Nature's Gift

Richard Anderson was spot on. Great many thanks for sharing the info.

Useful links:
http://www.teebweb.org
http://www.unpri.org
http://www.trucost.com
http://www.gdfsuez.com
http://www2.natura.net
http://www.pwc.co.uk
http://www.sabmiller.com
http://www.starbucks.com
http://www.walmart.com

Vertical

Rex Pickett, author of the well-known book ‘Sideways’ which was made into a popular movie in 2004, is coming out with a new book ‘Vertical’ to be released on November 21, 2010. http://verticalthenovel.com

A Point Of View

Sarah Dunant's opinion piece in BBC on conspicuous consumption was interesting. Old habits die hard, really. http://www.sarahdunant.com

The Energy Project

To get more done, work less. http://www.theenergyproject.com