Bottomless Belly Button

Bottomless Belly Button by Dash Shaw is a comedy-drama that follows the dysfunctional adventures of the Loony Family.

Useful link:
www.dashshaw.com

The graphic novel was brilliant. I liked it.

Philippe Starck

(via Wiki) Philippe Starck is a well-known French designer and probably the best known designer in the New Design style. His designs range from spectacular interior designs to mass produced consumer goods such as toothbrushes, chairs, and even houses.

Useful links:
www.philippe-starck.com
www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/philippe_starck.html
www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/04/style/DESIGN4.php

High quality products at affordable prices. His designs are superb. I liked it.

Compton Verney

(via Wiki) Compton Verney House is an 18th century country mansion in Warwickshire which has been converted into the Compton Verney art gallery. In 1993 it was bought in a run-down state by Littlewoods millionaire Sir Peter Moores and restored into a gallery capable of hosting international exhibitions. It is now run by Compton Verney House Trust, a registered charity.

Useful links:
www.comptonverney.org.uk
www.pmf.org.uk

A must visit.

Nandan Nilekani's World

I thoroughly enjoyed Shoba Narayan's article on Nandan Nilekani + his unique tastes and aspirations @ http://www.livemint.com/2008/08/01235122/The-applied-IDEAS-man.html

Brilliant! A must read.

Indian Art Market Update

According to The Fine Art Fund experts, the size of the Indian art market has grown from US$2 million to approximately US$400 million in the last seven years. I think the surge could be due to aesthetic or visual appeal + affordable prices + the internet. Most upcoming double-income middle class families purchase art works to decorate their drawing rooms. The internet is definitely changing the commerce of art in India + more virtual e-shops may be the next big thing to happen in the thriving art market.

Useful links:
http://artpanache.com
www.thefineartfund.com

The World Economy Today

According to a Morgan Stanley report, 50 of the 190 or so countries in the world now have inflation running at double-digit rates, including most emerging markets (meaning, about half the world's population is already experiencing double-digit price increases). We are facing synchronized rise in inflation speeding up the dark side of globalization around the world faster than we thought.

Useful links:
www.morganstanley.com
www.ecb.int
www.adb.org
www.conference-board.org
www.cibcwm.com

Inflation is going to make the world rounder.
- Jeff Rubin, Chief economist, CIBC World Markets

I think we are entering a more volatile and uncertain period full of nasty surprises. The easy-money days are gone.

The World According To Kirk Douglas

I found Kirk Douglas's comforting words of wisdom @ http://www.newsweek.com/id/150476 educational and insightful. A must read.

Useful links:
www.centertheatregroup.org
www.losangelesmission.org

Now in my golden years, I've learned that you can't know how to live until you know how to give.
- Kirk Douglas

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made.
- Robert Browning

How true!

Art Update

Souren Melikian writes about 'The Lure of the East' show on view at Tate Britain until August 31, 2008 + other viewpoints @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/02/arts/MELIK2.php

A must read.

Useful link:
www.tate.org.uk

Build The Perfect Survival Kit

Build the Perfect Survival Kit by John D. McCann is an excellent book with actual survival techniques. A must read.

Useful link:

www.bepreparedtosurvive.com

Random Thoughts

Ninety per cent of the planet’s living space--and biodiversity--is under water. And there are only five manned craft on Earth that can get to the bottom of it. What they find is both terrifying and alluring.

- J.M. Ledgard
Intelligent Life

Pure Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is the official bullion gold coin of Canada and is produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Royal Canadian Mint's (RCM) 100-kg 99.999 percent pure Gold Maple Leaf coin has been certified as the largest gold coin (estimated value US$1 million) in the world. I think it's a worthwhile investment.

Useful links:

www.mint.ca
www.guinnessworldrecords.com

The Authentics Foundation

Here is what the Authentics Foundation website says about counterfeits:

The Authentics Foundation is an international nongovernmental organization dedicated to raising public awareness of counterfeits. Its primary goal is to inform consumers about the negative aspects of the counterfeit market, including money laundering, drug cartels, paramilitary involvement, organized criminal gang associations, child labor, and risks to one’s safety. Myauthentics.com is the foundation’s website, letting you know about the latest counterfeiting news, and also helping you spot the fakes flooding your markets so you can make safe, smart choices. In addition to its website, The Authentics Foundation hosts events across the globe to spread the word about fakes.

Useful link:
www.myauthentics.com

Everything known to human beings can be faked one way or another due to technological advances. What kind of a world do we want to live in? Genuine or imitation? I think it's always better to buy genuine products.

Imperishable Beauty

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is exhibiting 120 + works by the leading designers and fabricators of late nineteenth to early twentieth-century Art Nouveau jewelry from July 23 - November 9, 2008.

Go to www.mfa.org/exhibitions/sub.asp?key=15&subkey=5707 for further information. A must visit.

Useful link:
www.mfa.org

Wifredo Lam

I like Wifredo Lam's art. The unique hybridity provides perpetual surprises. To me they are beautiful + natural + speaks the color and language of the world.

Useful links:

www.wifredolam.net

www.molaa.com

Heard On The Street

I’m at a stage in my career where I’d say human behavior is the most important determinant of a business’s long-term success.

Random Thoughts

I’ve seen too many businesses – investment firms and others – run into the ground by impressive people who start to think they’re smarter than everyone else. That’s when big mistakes get made. There are enough ways to screw up in this business without bringing it on yourself because of ego.

- Barry Rosenstein

The OneGeology Project

The OneGeology project takes local geological information and makes it global. I think when the geological maps become detailed companies may be able to find earth's exploitable resources, such as minerals and oil via appropriate technology.

Useful links:
www.onegeology.org
www.bgs.ac.uk

Harmonizing Anti-Money Laundering Rules

Chaim Even Zohar writes about OECD’s FATF document + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

A must read.

Fake Diamond Rough

(via Bangkok Post, Friday August 01, 2008): A stolen stone, which the owner claimed was a 2,100-carat uncut diamond valued at 315 million baht has been found to be a fake worth just a few hundred baht. According to Somchai Pornjindarak, president of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, said the stolen item was not a diamond, but merely a cubic zirconia, or artificial diamond.

A real comedy show. I was at the site (the gem testing laboratory) in Bangkok when the media broke the news.

Art Update Asia

Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop writes about art projects by international artists presented at an exhibition held during the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) 2008 + other viewpoints @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/01/arts/jessop.php

A must read.

Useful link:
www.isea2008singapore.org

I think electronic art is niche within the niche. We will be seeing more spinoffs in the coming years.