Design Miami/Basel

Jean Prouvé, Kengo Kuma, Ron Arad, Kiki van Eijk, Hiroshi Sugimoto are just some of the names at the 11th Design Miami/Basel, that opens with a rich programming – Robbie Antonio

46 leading galleries from around the world are gathered in Basel to show exceptional modern and contemporary furniture and objets d’art. Throughout the fair, Design Miami/Basel presents a packed program of talks, events and special exhibitions that celebrate design in all its diverse applications, including booths showcasing Swarovski’s Designers of the Future, and the celebrated Design at Large display.

Robbie Antonio
Top: Friedman Benda, New York, Design Miami/Basel 2016. Above: Zaha Hadid exhibition

Berlin-based architecture practice Kuehn Malvezzi has teamed up with the Finnish design company Artek and Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat to produce a formally distinctive Collector’s Lounge, while works by Zaha Hadid – that have been a strong presence at the fair over the past decade – will be presented in a special presentation by Zaha Hadid Architects, showcasing her innovative work in the field.

Ron Arad, Armadillo Tea Pavilion, presented by Revolution Precrafted Properties, Design Miami/Basel 2016

For the first time, Design Miami will play host to a specialist in prestige vintage car design and it will also see the return of the Design Curio program, showcasing forgotten curiosities, groundbreaking ideas and new areas of investigation at design’s cutting edge. Moreover, this year’s Swarovski Designers of the Future Award is presented to a group of emerging new talents who were tasked with the challenge of designing for the future in a holistic, adaptable and personal way.

Formafantasma, Delta, Guistini–Stagetti Galleria O., Roma, in collaboration with Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, Milan. Design Miami/Basel 2016

Highlights of the 2016 Design Talks program include Andreas Ruby discussing breaking the boundaries of how architecture is viewed and experienced beyond the walls of a traditional museum and the Talks program will be ‘silent’, conveyed through wireless headphones to immerse audiences fully in the conversation. 

 

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2016 Cannes Film Festival Celebrity amfAR Auction Features Spectacular Items

I have been so fortunate to have attended amfAR’s Annual Cinema Against AIDS event during the Cannes Film Festival. It is truly the best charity event in the world and has always amazed me with their over-the-top auction items offered up for and fetching huge amounts of money for an amazing cause. This is the event where several spaceship flights with Leonardo DiCaprio were sold in the past two years to wealthy businessmen for millions of dollars.

This year the 23rd edition of the event is chaired by Sharon Stone, Kevin Spacey, Milla Jovovich, Adrien Brody, Heidi Klum, Carine Roitfeld, Harvey Weinstein, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, and amfAR Chairman of the Board Kenneth Cole. Other event chairs include Len Blavatnik, Nayla Hayek, Michel Litvak, and Vincent Roberti. Superstar Katy Perry is performing along with some very special guests.

Harry Winston and Bold Films are the Presenting Sponsors of Cinema Against AIDS 23. Moët Hennessy, Renault, and The Weinstein Company are the event’s Signature Sponsors.

The annual star-studded event is one of the world’s most successful benefits, and is the most coveted ticket during the Cannes International Film Festival. Held at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, this glamorous and jaw-dropping gala includes several musical performances and a parade of prominent celebrity guests who help with the event’s over-the-top live auction.

Longtime amfAR supporter Carine Roitfeld will once again curate a fashion show of one-of-a-kind looks from a who’s who of the world’s most celebrated fashion designers. Forty of the world’s top models will participate in the spectacular disco themed runway presentation, accessorized with jewelry by Harry Winston.

 

But in true decadent fashion, this year’s amazing items up for auction include:

DAMIEN HIRST “TEMPLE”

2008 Lacquered paint on bronze 259 x 129 in. / 657.9 x 327.7 cm. Edition 2 of 3 plus 1 AP

Provenance Private Collection

Damien Hirst’s artwork spans many media and subjects, but the essence of all of the artist’s work is an attempt to challenge the boundaries between art, science, and popular culture. Temple epitomizes this juxtaposition by presenting the human form and its underlying anatomy with the precision of an anatomical model, but with the bright colors of a child’s toy and the monumentality of a classical sculpture to provoke a sense of wonder and amazement in the viewer. Temple occupies an important place in the artist’s ongoing exploration of the core of the human form and experience.

With the use of tools and iconography of science and religion, Hirst creates sculptures, like Temple, whose beauty and intensity offer the viewer insight into art that transcends our familiar understanding of those domains. “There are four important things in life: religion, love, art, and science,” the artist has said. “At their best, they’re all just tools to help you find a path through the darkness. None of them really work that well but will help. Of all of them, science seems to be the one right now. Like religion, it provides the glimmer of hope that maybe it will be all right in the end…”

 

Hirst’s energy and inventiveness, and his consistently visceral, visually arresting work, have made him a leading artist of his generation. He explores the uncertainty at the core of human experience: love, life, death, loyalty, and betrayal through unexpected and unconventional media. Best known for the Natural History works, which present animals in vitrines suspended in formaldehyde, his works recast fundamental questions concerning the meaning of life and the fragility of biological existence.

ANDY WARHOL POLAROIDS

Bianca Jagger, 1979- Liza Minnelli, 1977- Diana Ross, 1981- Jerry Hall, 1984- Diane von Furstenberg, 1983

Unique Polaroid prints 4 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. / 10.8 x 8.6 cm. Stamped by the estate

Andy Warhol is an artist whose career and iconic images are deeply engrained in the global consciousness. What is not widely known is that the sale of his works has raised millions of dollars for amfAR. But Warhol’s support of amfAR is not demonstrated solely by the donation of his artworks; in 1986, he hosted one of amfAR’s earliest fundraising events at the New York Academy of Art.

The pop artist, best known for his printmaking and painting, quite often used a camera for his work. With a single push of a Polaroid button, in the seventies and eighties Warhol created a large number of stripped-down portraits of leading lights from the worlds of music, movies, art, fashion, and sport. His subjects included Tina Turner, John Lennon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Keith Haring, and Muhammad Ali. The Polaroids on offer are of five 1970s icons and tonight’s muses for The Disco Collection: Jerry Hall, Bianca Jagger, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, and Diane von Furstenberg. (Sold for $160,000 euros)

FOUR WEEKS IN PARADISE

Enjoy a holiday of a lifetime for eight people. You and your guests will spend two weeks in each of two remarkable private residences at the celebrated  Soneva Resorts.

First, you’ll spend two weeks at the Soneva Kiri Resort in Thailand in a four-bedroom private residence. Soneva Kiri is set amidst a lush tropical rainforest on the “remote but accessible” Thai Island of Koh Kood. One hour’s flight from Bangkok by private plane, it offers an unrivaled combination of luxury, environmentally friendly design, and unforgettable authentic Thai experiences. You will spend your days relaxing in the beauty of untouched Thailand and Koh Kood.

You will enjoy an exceptional private dining experience in the exclusive Tree Pod, suspended 12 meters above sea level and featuring Michelin-starred gourmet food. Additionally, you will be treated to a complimentary waterfall breakfast and a picnic at Koh Rang national park.

Next, you and your guests will spend two weeks at the Soneva Fushi Maldives. Hidden away on an iconic desert island, this “barefoot luxury” resort defines understated and environmentally conscious luxury. A two-time winner of Condé Nast’s Gold list best of the best, everything about this magical place feels otherworldly, from the pristine reef, crystal clear turquoise water, and dolphins at sunset, to the delicious meals available at the resort’s nine dining options.

While here you will be treated to one-of-a-kind experiences: a private sandbank dinner, a ‘Sonu’s picnic’ on a deserted island, and a dolphin watching cruise on a traditional dhoni sailboat. (Heidi Klum auctioned to the highest bid of $200,000 euros)

LAPO ELKANN’S “ONE-OFF” FERRARI 458 CAMOUFLAGE

This is your chance to become the owner of a unique, one-off Ferrari 458 completely customized by Lapo Elkann, which he is donating to benefit amfAR.

There is more to it, though: the car was born when Lapo set up the Ferrari Tailor Made unit in Maranello. It was therefore a simple step to go further and create Garage Italia Customs, his own creative hub specializing in tailor-made customization.

So, you are actually bidding for the “spark” that brought Garage Italia Customs to life.

The exterior camouflage livery is the result of a complex process of handmade painting using three different shades of green and one of brown. Even the engine cover and the brake calipers are finished in the same military pattern. On both sides of the body the prancing horse badge is replaced by a metal painted peace symbol.

Inside, we find green painted Kevlar inserts for the dashboard and door panels, paired with a full Kevlar central tunnel with a “458” metal plate hand signed by  Lapo himself. The entire cabin is upholstered with brown leather; the seats and the dashboard feature stunning camouflage painted leather. (Item sold to billionaire Ron Burkle for $1 million euros)

A WEEK ON BOARD THE SUPERYACHT MARTHA ANN

The magnificent 70-meter Lürssen yacht Martha Ann, one of the finest examples of German nautical engineering, offers the utmost safety and luxury at sea.

Lürssen, her world-leading builder, and Espen Oeino, her award-winning exterior designer, together created a supremely elegant and majestic vessel, while simultaneously providing an enormous interior volume comparable with a much larger yacht. With an impressive 2,000 gross ton volume and six decks, she is the largest 70-meter yacht afloat. Her interior was designed by Zuretti and is truly timeless and bespoke; her top-of-the-line finishes and stylish furnishings are in absolutely immaculate condition.

Meticulously maintained, Martha Ann accommodates up to 12 guests in seven very spacious and luxurious staterooms. Her professional and personable crew of 21 will make sure that every wish of the winning bidder and his or her guests will come true on board. And her talented gourmet chef will delight you daily and will exceed your vision of gastronomic perfection with unique pairings of modern and traditional dishes.

Martha Ann features a “swim spa” jacuzzi with counter current, a large air-conditioned gym, all the water toys and gadgets to keep the youngsters, and all those young at heart, entertained, extensive entertainment, and relaxation spaces to meet the needs of the most discerning charter guests. The vast, sumptuous accommodations feel like an established mansion.

The winning bidder, or any of today’s attendees, also has a unique opportunity to purchase Martha Ann through Frank Grzeszczak at International Yacht Corporation, as she is now on the market for the first time in her history! The price is $89 million US dollars.

A truly incredible private yacht, on which you and your guests will feel safe and relaxed. (Sold for $550,000 euros)

THE MOËT & CHANDON MCIII WINE CELLAR: THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF MOËT & CHANDON

Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon is the Maison that introduced champagne to the world, and with more than 270 years of champagne “savoir-faire”, Moët & Chandon is a legendary reference in excellence.

The Moët & Chandon MCIII Wine Cellar, the only one of its kind in the world, houses a cutting-edge luxury experience by Moët & Chandon. The handmade object features 23 magnum bottles of MCIII, available for the very first time in the large format, to celebrate the 23rd edition of the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala. One bottle of MCIII is featured in the center and stands alone in a bold statement. A special lighting effect behind the glass illuminates the other 22 magnum bottles, which appear as if the revelation to an elegant mystery.  The bottles’ delicately engraved metal bases appear to levitate around the central bottle.

MCIII is Moët & Chandon’s bold new assemblage and a hybrid creation. This state-of-the-art wine masterfully embodies the strength of several vintage wines that have been matured in three different universes: metal, wood and glass. This pioneering blend renders the qualities of each integrated wine even stronger and bolder. Moët & Chandon conjures the ultimate from each universe to craft an undeniably sumptuous experience. The result is the Maison’s most harmonious yet complex champagne expression to date. (Sold for $100,000 euros)

HARRY WINSTON Secret Cluster Perfume Bottle

 

Sapphires and Aquamarines 452 Marquise, Pear-Shaped, and Round Brilliant Diamonds 4 Round Brilliant and Pear-Shaped Sapphires 8 Marquise, Pear-Shaped, and Round Brilliant Aquamarines Hand-carved Rock Crystal vial 17.28ct Diamonds 1.24ct Sapphires 1.61ct Aquamarines 87.67ct Rock Crystal

Since 1932, Harry Winston designs have drawn from the infinite beauty of nature to inspire breathtaking works of timeless brilliance. The Secret Cluster Perfume Bottle with Sapphires and Aquamarines pays tribute to this time-honored tradition by exploring the extraordinary wonders of the world’s most precious elements— rare gemstones and water. The one-of-a-kind necklace designed exclusively for amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS 23 gala recalls the brilliant hues of the azure sea. This spectacular creation seamlessly captures Harry Winston’s historic appreciation for the beauty of the world that surrounds us, and furthers his commitment to transforming exquisite gemstones into brilliant works of art. Set in platinum, intricate compositions of fancy shaped diamonds and rare gemstones delicately drape around a hand-carved 1.5 ml rock crystal vial—perfect for one’s own preferred fragrance. (Sold for $375,000 euros)

“INSIDE THE STUDIO” THE amfAR STUDIO 54 COLLECTION

Limited Edition boxed set of 23 images, Each print embossed with photographer’s signature and numbered Edition of 23 plus 2 artist’s proofs 20 x 16 in. / 50.8 x 40.64 cm.

In the history of New York nightclubs and the social scene, Studio 54 is legendary. Although only open for 33 months, Studio 54 was able to define an era and will forever have a place in the history of the ’70s.

Studio 54 was the place to see and be seen and drew thousands that included the rich and famous. Regular visitors included Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Calvin Klein, Truman Capote, Cher, John Travolta, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Salvador Dali. To name but a few.

Getty Images is proud once more to support amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS. This year we have curated and produced an exclusive portfolio of images by Sonia Moskowitz, the in-house photographer for the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54.

The 23 images were specifically chosen to represent the unique spirit of the club and its celebrity regulars. Each original negative or color transparency has been carefully scanned to produce a 16 x 20 in. digital bromide or C-type print, which has then been embossed with the photographer’s signature. Each print is numbered and forms part of a limited edition of 23 portfolios and two artist’s proofs. The prints are sleeved individually and placed within a handmade archival portfolio box together with a Certificate of Authenticity.

THE DISCO COLLECTION FASHION SHOW (Curated by Carine Roitfeld)

This is the opportunity to own a unique collection of over 30 looks from the world’s most legendary and renowned fashion designers. This collection is truly unique—unlike any other in the world—and it will never be available again. This one-of-a-kind collection will be presented in its entirety and worn by the world’s top fashion models on the runway in celebration of amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS 23.

The collection will be delivered to the successful bidder “as is.” You will receive the looks seen in the fashion show and in the sizes displayed and worn by the models. Please note that the jewelry and accessories are not part of this lot, but you will receive every look shown.

Contributing designets include; ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER, BURBERRY, CALVIN KLEIN, CHANEL, CHLOÉ, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, DIOR COUTURE. DSQUARED2, ELIE SAAB, FENDI, GIAMBATTISTA VALLI, GIANVITO ROSSI, GIORGIO ARMANI, GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI. GUCCI HOOD BY AIR, KENNETH COLE, LOEWE, LOUIS VUITTON, MARC JACOBS, MARCHESA, MAX MARA, MIU MIU, MONCLER, PACO RABANNE, PHILIPP PLEIN, PRADA, ROBERTO CAVALLI ,STELLA MCCARTNEY, TOM FORD, VERSACE VIONNET. (Sold for $1.7 million euro)

THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

This is the chance for two coveted tickets to the most anticipated fashion event of the year—the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which this year will take place in Europe in late fall. The tickets entitle the winning bidder to a prime seat location at the fashion show as well as entrance into the exclusive after-party.

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will feature a bevy of Victoria’s Secret Angels and a performance by a major musical act. Past Angels have included Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, and Miranda Kerr. Last year, music sensations Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding, and The Weeknd entertained the crowd, and in previous years artists such as Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Akon, Black Eyed Peas, Usher, and Justin Timberlake performed at this extraordinary runway event.

Guests at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will be seated among a star-studded audience, which has previously included celebrities such as Jay Z, Beyoncé, Orlando Bloom, Elton John, Kings of Leon, Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Sting, Alex Rodriguez, Eva Longoria, Ryan Seacrest, Adrian Grenier, Neil Patrick Harris, Molly Sims, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Derek Jeter, Lenny Kravitz, Serena Williams, and Gabrielle Union. (Sold for $125,000 euros to Lapo Elkann)

LIVE LIKE LEONARDO DICAPRIO— ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING MOVIE STAR—AT HIS PALM SPRINGS HOME

This is an incredible opportunity for 12 people to spend the week of January 16-23, 2017, in an iconic Palm Springs modernist home—one of the finest examples of mid-century architecture— designed by celebrated architect Donald Wexler, while calling Leonardo DiCaprio your landlord!

Built on a secluded 1.3-acre desert oasis compound, this stunning estate includes 6 bedrooms and 7.5 baths spread between the main house, a guest house, and a “casita.” Inside the main house you and your guests can enjoy spending time in a magnificent living room with generous seating, a grand piano, fireplace, and cocktail bar. Outdoors, you will have full access to Leonardo DiCaprio’s stunning heated pool and spa and lit north-south tennis courts.

Located in Old Las Palmas, the property was originally built for Dinah Shore, and the neighboring houses were home to other stars such as Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Dean Martin, Liberace, Elvis Presley, and amfAR’s Founding International Chairman Elizabeth Taylor. (Sold for $500,000 euros)

TAKASHI MURAKAMI Ensō: Memento Mori Red

2015 Acrylic on canvas mounted on aluminum frame 39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in. / 100 x 100 cm.

One of the most acclaimed artists to emerge from postwar Asia, Takashi Murakami—“the Warhol of Japan”—is known for his contemporary Pop synthesis of fine art and popular culture, particularly his use of a boldly graphic and colorful anime and manga cartoon style. Murakami became famous in the 2000s for his “Superflat” theory and for organizing the paradigmatic exhibition of that title, which linked the origins of contemporary Japanese visual culture to historical Japanese art. His output includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, animations, and collaborations with brands such as Louis Vuitton.

The subject of Murakami’s new art is one of the most famous motifs in Zen painting, the circle ensō that symbolizes emptiness, unity, and infinity in Zen Buddhism. The paintings represent another epiphany in his work, resulting from quiet and ongoing spiritual practice. Ensō is the prerequisite to every act of creation, a moment when the mind is free to let the body create. Traditionally traced with a brush in one fluid and highly mastered stroke, the circle does not allow for a change of heart. Murakami executes the ensō in his unique style, using spray paint over his signature accumulations of flowers and skulls. The Ensō is a true homage to Japanese tradition, a return to a more unfettered minimalist practice—the result of a complex artistic and spiritual path. (Sold for $450,000 euros)

ZAHA HADID SIGNATURE VOLU DINING PAVILION

Dimensions: 6 m. x 4.6 m. x 3.2 m. Floor area: 20 sqm.

Less than two months ago, the world lost one of the most talented and celebrated architects of a generation: Zaha Hadid. Hadid received the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, and she received the Stirling Prize in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and in 2015 she became the first woman to be awarded the RIBA Gold Medal in her own right.

Zaha Hadid’s contemporary dining pavilion, VOLU, presents a bold silhouette, forming a typical fusion of design, lightweight engineering, and precision fabrication. The design continues a rational, geometric production by embedding the tectonics of manufacture within the form itself.

Zaha Hadid, before her passing, left instructions for an extremely limited edition of the VOLU dining pavilion. amfAR is thrilled to have the opportunity to put forth at auction the VOLU pavilion.

Defined by sophisticated digital processes, the pavilion has been developed in such a way that its components are, at most, singly curved. Such innovations were computer programmed to integrate fabrication constraints into the design, while enabling engineering feedback in an iterative delivery process. Consequently, this allows for comprehensive design development of complex and expressive forms through the bending of flat sheet materials.

Comprised of a series of structural bands collecting at the spine and expanding overhead, the patterning of the pavilion is guided by the varied structural loading conditions. Through analysis of the geometry under load, the pavilion’s topology is digitally optimized to remove unnecessary material, resulting in the lightest possible design solution—an organic structural logic that recreates many of the same principles found in nature.

The VOLU pavilion on display is from Revolution Precrafted and designed by Hadid and Patrik Schumacher. It is part of a larger collection from Revolution Precrafted founded by Robbie Antonio. (Sold for $1.3 million euros)

TASCHEN PRIVATE LIBRARY IN CELEBRATED JEAN PROUVÉ DESIGNED STRUCTURE OFFERED BY GALERIE PATRICK SEGUIN: the world’s finest library of visual culture luxury books housed in an original, iconic emblem of modern design.

This is the unprecedented opportunity to purchase the TASCHEN library, set within an iconic example of mid-century architectural design.

In an era where artists and architects sought to present function and simplicity of design above all else, Prouvé’s 1969 filling station, offered by Galerie Patrick Seguin, was a brilliant answer to the need for roadside filling stations that could be quickly and simply constructed and moved according to the burgeoning needs of the French freeway system.

This truly unprecedented TASCHEN library, assembled specially and uniquely for amfAR, presents the crème de la crème of TASCHEN’s publishing program. The library features four hundred and forty-four TASCHEN titles, including groundbreaking artist monographs, extra-large illustrated histories of popular culture, and over 60 of TASCHEN’s highly sought-after Collector’s Editions. Conceived and curated in direct collaboration with TASCHEN artists and estates, each book included in the TASCHEN library represents a spectacular feat in print production and a unique cultural experience. Offering unrivalled access to the portfolios, archives, and personal vision of icons such as Muhammad Ali, Jeff Koons, Sebastião Salgado, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Dennis Hopper, Paul McCartney, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, Zaha Hadid, Ai Weiwei, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bündchen, Mario Testino and The Rolling Stones, TASCHEN books are instant collectibles. TASCHEN’s signed and limited Collector’s Editions – which often sell out before they hit shelves and make up a sizeable portion of the amfAR TASCHEN library – have an outstanding record in asset appreciation, reaching up to 10 times their original market value. (Sold for 2.7 million euros)

JOHN ARMLEDER Universal Mirror Balls

2008 Unique 5 disco balls with 5 motors and 10 directional spots Overall dimensions variable Each ball: 19 2/3 in. / 50 cm.

Provenance Galerie Andrea Caratsch, St. Moritz

John M. Armleder is one of the most important and influential Swiss artists of his generation. With his stylistic breadth and vocabulary, he has created an inimitable universe of diverse works that oscillate fluidly between the fields of art, design, concept, geometry, Pop and Trash.

He is most commonly known for his engagement with the multidisciplinary Fluxus movement, which was based around the Neo-Dadaist tenets of making work that is anti-art, anti-establishment, and anti-commercialism—sensibilities that Armleder has maintained creatively ever since. Much of his work is based on his artistic activities during that time, which included performances, installations, and other collective art endeavors.

Through playful compositions, the objects he presents are often completely divorced from any formal artistic concerns. He actively blurs the traditional notions of the support and the surface, of the subject and object and of high and low art, and challenges customary ways in which the viewer has come to perceive and experience modern and contemporary art and the nature of the places that have come to be used for its display. (Actress Milla Jovovich was the winning bidder at $170,000 euros)

RICHARD ORLINSKI Wild Carved Panther

2015 3 meters long Cast mirror polished silver and aluminum

Richard Orlinski is a French artist born in Paris. A sculptor since 2004, his work, conceived with contemporary materials, is found in collections worldwide and has reached record sale prices. His creations appeal to the most elemental aspects of human nature. Distinguished by his creative spirit, he seeks permanently to innovate by forming new light effects with new materials and alloys. Curious by nature, he seeks to express his artistic sensitivity through other art forms such as music, theatre and cinema. Nothing stops this artist from creating.

Concerned that art not be confined to galleries and museums but accessible to all, Richard Orlinski often appears in public and arouses enthusiasm among those around him. Since 2015, Art Price has ranked him as the best-selling French artist in the world. (Sold for $400,000 euros)

THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE -8 DAY SAILING TRIP THROUGH INDONESIA

This is your chance to embark on an eight-day sailing trip through the exotic Indonesian archipelago in luxury! You and nine of your friends will be welcomed on board a private luxury charter for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Beautifully handcrafted in 100-year-old teak and ironwood, the ship offers you a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating sights in luxury and total privacy. Fully crewed with a gourmet chef, cabin staff, and scuba and leisure facilities, you will have every modern convenience—from air-conditioned cabins and lounges to satellite communications and powerful battery banks that allow for quiet-boat operation.

Adventure explorer and world record holder Johan Ernst Nilson—with a history of over 40 expeditions traversing more than 160 countries—will guide you through the islands of New Guinea. You can choose among an almost unlimited range of activities, from the most adventurous—meeting the last known tribes on the planet, diving some of the world’s richest coral reefs, climbing smoking volcanoes, or hiking through villages rarely seen by outsiders; to the most relaxing—landing on a virgin tropical island with not another ship on the horizon or lounging on sweeping teak decks, enjoying the cuisine, and letting the tropics pass you by.

Exact location will be discussed with the bidder since there are many exotic locations to visit depending on the level of adventure sought. (Actor Orlando Bloom auctioned to the high bid of $200,000 euros)

BRODY Jumbo Dropfish

2016 Mixed media on canvas 79 x 59 in. / 200.66 x 149.86 cm.

Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody was the unexpected celebrity art star of Art Basel in Miami Beach 2015. He debuted a series of pop art paintings entitled “Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Handguns” during the annual art fair. According to sources, Brody has been painting recreationally for quite some time, and his recent work offers a look at how violence is as commonplace as fast food in our culture.

Adrien Brody has proved his acting prowess through some unforgettable roles in films like The Pianist, King Kong, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. In a career spanning almost three decades, Brody has acted in approximately 40 movies, and been nominated for more than a dozen awards for various roles. He remains the youngest actor to date to win the prestigious Academy Award for best actor, at the age of 29. (Sold for $500,000 euros)

RETNA Estoy Inocente

2016 Acrylic on canvas 72 x 48 in. / 182.88 x 121.92 cm.

The artist RETNA accesses spaces between text-based imagery and abstract emotive states with his mysterious lines of verse. Each block of text is a sophisticated system of hieroglyphs, calligraphy, and illuminated script. With influences from Arabic, Egyptian, Hebrew, Anglo-Saxon (or Old English), and Native American typographies, RETNA’s distinctive language communicates a personal form of poetry. RETNA’s messages are masked in ciphers: words and meanings that are never immediately revealed, nor capable of being accurately translated. He employs ancient totemic symbologies as a baseline, overlaid with beats from the urban jungle, sourced from his background in Los Angeles and reflecting his Pipil (western indigenous El Salvadorian), Cherokee, Spaniard, and African-American bloodlines. These diverse subcultures are channeled into his work, often accompanied (either in the studio or on the street) by a stream of ambient or musical sounds. It is this multisensory experience that is brushed onto the surface for RETNA: a synthesis of auditory and visual content, spontaneously manifested.

AMILLA FUSHI—YOUR ISLAND HOME AND PARADISE IN THE MALDIVES

Enjoy a 12-night stay for 12 people in the 6-Bedroom Amilla Estate located at one of the most exclusive resorts in the Maldives that offers the ultimate island holiday experience in exclusivity, luxury and service.

Luxury homes that bridge the gap between architectural showmanship and proper home comforts. Our seamless, round-the-clock, Katheeb (butler) service is designed to enhance rather than interrupt precious family time, and if you’re traveling with your staff, our residences have accommodation for nannies and security personnel.

Just 30 minutes from Male airport via seaplane or a 15-minute flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport, followed by a snappy 10-minute speedboat ride, Amilla Fushi is situated in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve; home to pristine coral reefs, thousands of species of fish, sandy beaches and cinemaworthy sunsets.

There’s entertainment for all ages: private swimming pools, playrooms for the young and young at heart, and of course fully stocked kitchens for epic, family-style feasts.  Set on a quiet stretch of beach, an easy stroll to Amilla’s action-packed Emperor Beach Club, Kids’ Club and our world-class collection of restaurants, the residences are a place to unwind with family and friends, while the spellbinding, natural beauty of the Maldives unfolds around you.

It’s a place where nature meets nurture. This lavish experience includes: 12-night stay in 6-bedroom residence for 12 people; includes breakfast •Welcome BBQ dinner for 12 at the Amilla Estate •A dedicated Katheeb (butler) to take care of all your needs •A daily 50-minute spa treatment per person •Complimentary daily use of all non-motorized watersports equipment per person.

MARTIN KIPPENBERGER – PODRIA PRESTARTE ALGO

1985, 59.06 x 42.13 x 1.18 in. / 150.01 x 107.01 x 2.99 cm. Cibachrome print in artist’s frame

Martin Kippenberger (1953-1997) made paintings, sculptures and installations that offer a humorous yet bitter commentary on the modern world and the artist’s place in it. Only in recent years, after his premature death, is Kippenberger’s extraordinary and influential; work becoming internationally recognized.

A DAY IN WASHINGTON. DC WITH KEVIN SPACEY

This is an incredible opportunity to play tennis with an avid tennis player, have lunch with an Oscar-winning Hollywood star; and tour some of the most iconic monuments of America’s capital with the man who portrays Washington’s ultimate political operator, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey).

The winning bidder will start the day with a friendly (or competitive) tennis match with Kevin Spacey at a very special private court.  After the match you will dine at one of the actor’s favorite Washington DC restaurants, and then visit some of the city’s monuments with Mr. Spacey as your personal guide. (Sold for $575,000 euros)


 

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2016/05/13/cannes-film-festival-celebrity-amfar-auction-features-the-most-spectacular-items-ever-exclusive/#7739ab379474

Prefabulous: How to set up home in the most remote places on Earth

by Katy Scott, CNN

  • Robbie Antonio
 

If you’re looking to hole up in the middle of nowhere, there’s a hut in a box for that.

Back in the days of gloom post World War Two, prefab homes — structures prefabricated in sections in a factory and then assembled on site — were built en masse as temporary solutions for those who had been “bombed out”.

Just over 70 years later, prefab houses are still considered affordable alternatives to building homes from scratch.

Prefab pioneer Jean Prouvé designed his “demountable house” in the 1940s as a potential solution for the housing crisis in France. These inexpensive homes were rapidly built from steel and wood, assembled by hand, and supported by a two-legged load-bearing structure.

Today prefabricated buildings are used as temporary relief for those who have lost their homes to natural disasters, refugees, as well as a quick fix for housing crises.

But prefab is increasingly becoming an attractive option for constructing everything from cabins in the wilderness to high-end designer homes for city slickers.

One Canadian company has even gone as far as creating DIY cabins which come straight out of the box, complete with step-by-step instructions on how to assemble them.

Hut-in-a-box

This Cabin is made from 3D printed bio-plastic
Credit: Courtesy Ossip van Duivenbode/DUS Architects

Backcountry Hut Company grew from a need for recreational refuge points for outdoorsy folk in remote locations.

Avid backcountry adventurer, Wilson Edgar, dreamt up the idea of customizable huts that could be easily pieced together on-site by a group of people.

“When someone takes a house project today they basically give up control as soon as they start the project,” Edgar tells CNN. “This is putting that control back in their hands.”

Edgar teamed up with Principal Architect of Leckie Studio Architecture + Design, Michael Leckie, to tackle the design.

The huts come in two distinct styles — backcountry and frontcountry — each with multiple configurations.

The base model is a studio loft measuring 191 square feet, with a kitchen and living area on the ground level and sleeping quarters for two to four people on the top floor.

However, modules can be combined and the hut can be extended to fit up to 30 people.

Backcountry Hut Company scalability
Courtesy: Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

“One of the values in the system is that it is scalable and mass customizable,” explains Leckie, referring to various interior fitout options and exterior finishes.

This, according to Leckie, is one of the key differences between their huts and other “more rigid” cabins. Another is the ease with which it can be assembled.

“The building components are designed to such a size that they can be lifted by two people and put into place similar to almost like lego blocks,” says Leckie.

This is not to say the “kit of parts” can be slung over your shoulder like a sack of tent poles. In fact, the pre-module shell, timber frame skeleton, window system, doors, cladding, and interior fitouts arrive in a 40-foot shipping container and need to be lifted by helicopter to locations inaccessible by roads.

While the hut’s structural components cost $150 dollars a square foot, the interior fitouts can add a significant amount, depending on the client’s taste.

A rendering of a backcountry hut
Courtesy: Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

Is prefab the answer?

Prefab homes are often considered to cut the spiralling costs of building a home, as well as the time it takes to build.

“For the average person building a custom home there are so many unknowns, and I think that a lot of people really struggle with the perceived lack of control through the process,” says Leckie.

“What we have here is a product that comes ultimately delivered, it’s a fixed-price solution.”

However, architect Charlie Lazor of Lazor Office — a design firm that specializes in the design and prefabrication of dwellings — is of the opinion that prefab isn’t always the answer.

“There is a perception that prefab will solve the problem of the cost of a home,” Lazor tells CNN.

“There are benefits to be had, and more benefits if the stars align, but it’s not a silver bullet, and it’s not going to solve a budget deficit.”

In 2005 the Minneapolis-based architect first introduced his panelized FlatPak house — a pre-fabricated, configurable house system.

Having designed and built many modular, FlatPak and stick built homes over the years, Lazor explains that there are multiple ways to do prefabrication. It all depends on the circumstances.

“For very remote work, the modular method is better as labour doesn’t exist, or has to come from very far away. So you have to get as much as you possibly can get done off site, and send it as complete as possible.”

One of the biggest challenges Lazor faces, however, is misconceived ideas about the benefits of prefabrication.

“The time advantage can be there but I wouldn’t say it’s a significant enough reason why someone should do a prefabricated house,” he says.

A prefab-ulous future

Revolution Precrafted’s “Sails” by Christian Portzamparc Credit: Courtesy Duccio/Revolution Precrafted

“As the market for prefabricated structures grow, so does the market for high-end precrafted work,” Robbie Antonio, CEO of Revolution Precrafted, tells CNN.

Revolution Precrafted commissions “starchitects” such as Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel, Philip Johnson, Ron Arad, Marcel Wanders, and Christian de Portzamparc, to design luxury prefab homes, pavilions, and even furniture.

“Prefabrication no longer means cookie-cutter construction, or one-size fits all design,” says Antonio. “It is moving towards a space where traditional construction methods give way to high-precision, and high-quality architecture.”

 

Related Links; About Robbie Antonio , Contact

Top Collector Robbie Antonio’s Family Has Substantial Business Ties to Donald Trump

by Eileen Kinsella, artnet News

Top Collector Robbie Antonio Family Has Substantial Business Ties to Donald Trump. As the businessman prepares to step into the role of president, a lengthy New York Times story on November 26 takes aim at US president-elect Donald Trump’s financial ties and potential conflicts worldwide.

The story opens with a discussion of Jose E.B. Antonio, a Philippine developer who is the father of Robbie Antonio, one of artnet New’s top collectors to watch and a fixture on the art circuit; Robbie is seen frequently at high-profile events including art fairs and major auctions, including Sotheby’s recent Impressionist and modern art evening sale earlier this month.

According to the Times report, E.B. Antonio, who was “quietly named a special envoy to the United States by the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte,” is building a $150 million tower in Manila’s financial district. His business partner is none other than Trump.

Announcement of Trump Tower Manila. Courtesy of Flickr Commons.

Following the election, E.B. Antonio flew to New York for a private meeting at Trump Tower with the Trump children, who have been involved with the Manila project from the beginning, along with Antonio’s children. Robbie confirmed to the Times that the Trumps and Antonios have other projects in the works, including Trump-branded resorts in the Philippines.

Robbie gave an interview to the Times in which he assured that there was no reason to doubt his father’s priorities. “It is for the good of the country now,” he said.

Beyond real estate, the 39-year-old entrepreneur has also developed a taste for expensive art. According to a page on Century Properties, he displays a number of blue-chip artworks in his $15 million Manila house that was designed by Rem Koolhaas’ firm OMA. In a 2013 profile in Vanity Fair, he commissioned “a series of portraits of himself by some of the world’s top contemporary artists,” such as “Julian Schnabel, Marilyn Minter, David Salle, Zhang Huan, members of the Bruce High Quality Foundation, and Takashi Murakami.”

Now, Robbie is developing designer-driven luxury homes for international clients. “I want the homes to be perceived as art pieces,” he told Forbes at Frieze Art Fair earlier this year. His first big sale was in March, via a Zaha Hadid-designed dining pavilion that sold for €1.3 million ($1.37 million).

Related Links: About Robbie Antonio, Contact

Top Collector Robbie Antonio’s Family Has Substantial Business Ties to Donald Trump

by Art World

They are partners on a $150 million tower in Manila. – Robbie Antonio

robbie antonio

As the businessman prepares to step into the role of president, a lengthy New York Times story on November 26 takes aim at US president-elect Donald Trump’s financial ties and potential conflicts worldwide.

The story opens with a discussion of Jose E.B. Antonio, a Philippine developer who is the father of Robbie Antonio, one of artnet New’s top collectors to watch and a fixture on the art circuit; Robbie is seen frequently at high-profile events including art fairs and major auctions, including Sotheby’s recent Impressionist and modern art evening sale earlier this month.

According to the Times report, E.B. Antonio, who was “quietly named a special envoy to the United States by the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte,” is building a $150 million tower in Manila’s financial district. His business partner is none other than Trump.

Following the election, E.B. Antonio flew to New York for a private meeting at Trump Tower with the Trump children, who have been involved with the Manila project from the beginning, along with Antonio’s children. Robbie confirmed to the Times that the Trumps and Antonios have other projects in the works, including Trump-branded resorts in the Philippines.

Robbie gave an interview to the Times in which he assured that there was no reason to doubt his father’s priorities. “It is for the good of the country now,” he said.

Beyond real estate, the 39-year-old entrepreneur has also developed a taste for expensive art. According to a page on Century Properties, he displays a number of blue-chip artworks in his $15 million Manila house that was designed by Rem Koolhaas’ firm OMA. In a 2013 profile in Vanity Fair, he commissioned “a series of portraits of himself by some of the world’s top contemporary artists,” such as “Julian Schnabel, Marilyn Minter, David Salle, Zhang Huan, members of the Bruce High Quality Foundation, and Takashi Murakami.”

Now, Robbie is developing designer-driven luxury homes for international clients. “I want the homes to be perceived as art pieces,” he told Forbes at Frieze Art Fair earlier this year. His first big sale was in March, via a Zaha Hadid-designed dining pavilion that sold for €1.3 million ($1.37 million).

 

Source: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/robbie-antonio-trump-connections-762977

Shares in Century Properties rally after Trump’s US presidential win

by CHRISEE DELA PAZ, Rappler

The local property developer bucks regional bloodbath on Wednesday, November 9, with analysts believing the surge is because of Trump’s presidential victory

MANILA, Philippines – Century Properties Group Incorporated surged on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Wednesday, November 9, after its business partner Donald Trump won the United States presidential election.

Shares in the property company, which holds the license to develop Trump Tower in Manila, settled at 72 centavos after gaining 12 centavos or 20% in Wednesday’s trading.

Century Properties bucked the regional bloodbath, with analysts believing the surge was because of Trump’s presidential victory.

This developed as the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) plunged to 2.58% or 188.76 points to close at 7,119.04, and property shares slid by 3.47% or 112.43 points to 3,131.34. (READ: From Paris Hilton to Donald Trump, Century Properties’ celebrity ties)

“This is more of a psychological buy. As you know, they are the local partner of Trump Organization for Trump Tower Manila,” Harry Liu, chief of brokerage firm Summit Securities Incorporated, said in a phone interview.

COL Financial head of research April Lee Tan echoed Liu’s remarks. She said Trump’s victory could be the reason for the surge in Century Properties’ shares, amid a regional bloodbath.

Donald Trump Jr, the US president-elect’s son, visited the country in 2014 to help Century Properties break ground on the $150-million Trump TowerTM Manila, a 56-storey residential building in the sprawling business district of Makati City.

“I’ve always loved the Philippines. I think it’s just a special place, and Manila is one of Asia’s most spectacular cities. I know that this project will be second to none,” Donald Trump, chairman and president of the Trump Organization, was quoted in the official website of Trump Tower Philippines as saying.

Robbie Antonio, the head of the company’s business development, was introduced to Ivanka Trump, who had him meet her father, who then agreed to license his trade and family name to Century.

As of May 2016, Century Properties said masonry activities for Trump Tower were in “full swing up to the topmost floor (57th level) while plumbing and electrical roughing-in have reached the 40th floor.” It is set to be opened within the year.

CEO named as special envoy to the US

Other than the Trump victory, Liu said investors could be thinking that “Jose Antonio being the new special envoy to the US will be beneficial for the company.”

President Rodrigo Duterte last October 28 named Century Properties chairman and CEO Antonio as special envoy to the US.

“His mission is to enhance business ties and strengthen the economic affairs between the two countries,” Century Properties told the local bourse in a disclosure.

Antonio also served as the country’s special envoy for trade and economics to China in 2005.

The chief of Century Properties graduated cum laude from San Beda College in Manila in 1966 and from Harvard University’s Owner/President Management Program in 2003. – Rappler.com

 

Related Links:  About Robbie Antonio , Contact

Robbie Antonio: The man of substance

by Robbie Antonio  Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robbie Antonio
The younger Robbie Antonio with his father, former Ambassador Jose E.B. Antonio, who also serves as chairman of Century Properties.

I have been referred to as “Asia’s youngest real estate tycoon” and by Forbes Asia as the “liaison to the stars” as we, at Century Properties, have brought global fashion houses, Hollywood A-listers, prominent architects, and the most iconic real estate brands to the Philippines for exclusive luxury projects that are now changing Manila’s skyline.

It was in 2011 when I headed Century Properties’ International Brand Collaborations, and started to conceptualize, negotiate, source, and launch projects in Manila with lifestyle game-changers. These included the Trump Organization for Trump Tower at Century City; Paris Hilton for the Paris Beach Club at Azure Urban Resort Residences; and The Milano Residences in partnership with Versace and in collaboration with MissoniHome. We’ve also had collaborations with Yoo, the interior design company founded by John Hitchcox; and Philippe Starck, one of the most celebrated and revered living designers today. Our latest project is Century Spire, a residential office tower whose architecture is by Daniel Libeskind, with amenity interiors designed by Armani/Casa.

Over the years, I have learned that passion for innovation and excellence should always go hand in hand with market understanding and experience. We have to learn from the lessons of history, and innovate towards the aspirations of our target market. We may have come up with products that one would normally consider tough to sell but we’ve also successfully tapped into the aspiration of many Filipinos—which is to have a higher quality of life.

Apart from catering to the needs of the market, it would also be crucial to offer the best value among the products in your own category. Adding value to a real estate property will attract the very discerning property market. The market will always respond positively to lifestyle innovations that make sense. For a few more dollars, one can own property that is above par not only in terms of money value but also quality of life.

I have also learned that timing is everything. You have to know when to introduce specific products to specific markets. Developers who have experienced more than four economic cycles like ours will develop the sense of launching the right product to the right market at the right time.

Robbie Antonio
Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president for Trump Organization, with Robbie Antonio of Century Properties. NELSON MATAWARAN

— 
Related Links: About Robbie Antonio, Contact

Cloud-like: Prefab house by Studio Fuksas

by Nina Shell, DETAIL Business Information

 

‘Matilda’ – this is the name that the architect and designer duo Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas (Studio Fuksas) have given the house they have developed for Wallpaper as part of the “Revolution” project. Like all the dwellings in the series, the Matilda Home is based on pre-fabricated elements and is thus quick and easy to erect.

As the designers state, “The idea to bring design also in common life attracted us. This is a new concept of habitat of house. It’s a mobile home it can be everywhere around the world; everybody can be a client. It’s a modular unit so many of them can be added together like a cloud. It can even be a city .This is not an object, it is a concept; it can be a city, a landscape or simply a home. Easy to build, it can be done in different materials more or less expensive. ‘Matilda’ is a completely different space since nowadays we don’t need so much storage space, you just need to have a screen. The only important thing is to have a nice place to eat, to seat and to sleep.” And naturally a piece of property on which to locate your own personal part of the cloud.
Further houses in the limited edition can be seen here

Jean Nouvel on reinvigorating his design studio

by Amy Serafin, Wallpaper*

Jean Nouvel at the glass and steel Fondation Cartier Pour L’Art Contemporain, which he completed in 1994
(Image credit: Hannah Starkey )

Back in 1987, the same year architect Jean Nouvel gained international acclaim for his Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, he also presented six aluminium objects at an exhibition held by the French non-profit VIA (Valorisation de l’Innovation dans l’Ameublement), to a much smaller audience. They included an adjustable table on X-shaped legs, an aluminium-and-rubber folding screen, and a very slick toolbox.

These were Nouvel’s first efforts at design – none of which was ever manufactured. But since then the French Pritzker Prize-winner has produced more than 100 pieces of furniture and design, from lamps to doorknobs, while turning out major architectural projects such as Barcelona’s Torre Agbar, the DR Koncerthuset in Copenhagen, One Central Park in Sydney, the upcoming Louvre Abu Dhabi and New York’s 53W53 tower. In 1995, he founded Jean Nouvel Design (JND) as a sister company to his architecture firm, Ateliers Jean Nouvel.

And yet it is no simple feat to go out and buy a Jean Nouvel dining room set. ‘Most of my objects remain confidential,’ he says. ‘Nobody really knows my jewellery, for example. And we’ve worked on chairs few people have seen.’ That’s about to change, as Nouvel sets out to make his furniture more accessible to the general public – and, at the same time, is unveiling the first museum exhibition ever devoted to his design.

jean nouvel, robbie antonio
Installation view of Jean Nouvel’s ‘Amber Lamp’, for Martell, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
(Image credit: Luc Boegly)

Last year, at a celebration for his 70th birthday, the architect confided to his friend Franck Argentin that he wanted to give his design studio a boost. Argentin is the founder of RBC, a network of contemporary furniture showrooms in the south of France. The two first met about 25 years ago at a bullfight; twice a year, Nouvel stays at Argentin’s house in Nîmes during the corridas.

Argentin shared some ideas about how JND might move into higher gear. Then Nouvel asked him to head up the design studio, knowing he could bring his keen eye for what sells, as well as his high-level contacts with furniture manufacturers such as Vitra, Poliform and Cassina. ‘I’m looking to work with producers that are serious and significant,’ Nouvel says, ‘and Franck is in a position to talk with them frequently.’

Argentin accepted, taking up the new position in January of this year (he continues to run RBC). ‘It wasn’t my plan, but the challenge excited me,’ he says, sipping espresso from a polished stainless steel cup Nouvel designed for Alessi. 

The first part of Argentin’s strategy was to create greater synergy between the design and architecture firms. As he explains, ‘Neither side really knew what the other was doing anymore, even though they all work for the same person.’ He moved the JND studio, located in a building next to the architecture studio in Paris’ 11th arrondissement, from the third floor to the ground floor – a simple but effective change. ‘Jean used to drop in to our offices maybe three times a month. Now, when he’s in France, he stops by four times a week.’

Closer collaboration means that JND can piggyback more easily on Nouvel’s architectural commissions. For each new building project, Argentin meets the project leader, to explore how JND can contribute to the interiors and furnishings. ‘That in turn seduces furniture manufacturers,’ he explains. ‘If we know we can already sell 2,000 chairs, it’s more appealing than saying, “We’d like you to produce this, but we don’t know if it will sell.”’

For example, JND suggested designing the kitchen, bathroom and closets for the sales centre of Monad Terrace, a luxury condominium complex that Nouvel is working on in Key Biscayne, Florida. ‘The client is extremely flattered,’ says Argentin, ‘because he has a kitchen designed by Jean expressly for his project, not necessarily more expensive than the one he planned to buy, and afterwards it will be produced around the world.’ The studio completed the designs in time for Nouvel and Argentin to present them at the Salone del Mobile last April, including cabinet panels made of a patented aluminium honeycomb under glass. Nouvel was particularly enthusiastic about his first bathtub. ‘I designed it in marble and wood to be luxurious and rare, but not flashy,’ he says. 

Describing himself as an architect who does design, rather than a designer, Nouvel approaches both fields the same way, using context and function as the starting point and avoiding any recognisable style. His designs are clean and precise – they canlook deceptively simple. He strives for what he calls ‘elementarity’, or a solution that seems obvious once it has been found.

‘When I talk about elementarity – or the essence of a table, a storage system, an office – it’s about how furniture can transform the way we work,’ he says. ‘My “Cases” system is a game of construction that defines the geometry of an office, whether you work facing someone, or with separations between people, or at big common tables. Furniture can provoke evolutions in our attitudes about life.’

Working at common tables in an office furnished with ‘Cases’, the JND team tackles everything from furniture to industrial design to interiors. It has designed braided vinyl flooring for the Swedish company Bolon, as well as a rug made of a single, exceptional sheet of marble for the Italian producer Citco. Its interior design work ranges from a private house in the vineyards of Bordeaux to a chain of new Cacharel clothing boutiques throughout France. And it does scenography, too, such as 62 black shipping containers of different heights for exhibiting replicas of the Lascaux cave drawings in Gwangmyeong, South Korea.

Often, Nouvel will revisit a piece of furniture and improve it over the years – his team refers to these as his ‘obsessions’. It is currently reworking his perforated leather ‘Skin’ sofa from 2008, as well as his 1991 cube-shaped ‘Elémentaires’ armchair, both for Molteni & C. If you visit the JND agency, you’ll come upon more of these obsessions, such as the ‘Oxymore’ chair that he has been tinkering with for more than a decade (now produced by Figueras), with rigid lines but a soft back that reclines. A sleek, cherry-red ‘LessLess’ table is a descendant of one that he designed in 1994 for the Fondation Cartier in Paris. 

Against a back wall sits a striking 5m-long wooden ‘Table au Km’, which Nouvel designed as part of a series of limited-edition pieces for the  gallery and Galerie Patrick Seguin in 2011. ‘I’m a specialist in tables,’ the architect says. ‘I find them inspiring. I don’t know if there’s a psychological reason – maybe because of their stability. And there’s an idea of mass and transformability. I like tables you can unfold, extend, stack on top of each other. I see geometric games and combinations.’

Geometric combinations are also the basis for a brand new prefabricated house Nouvel designed for Revolution Precrafted, a venture by the Filipino developer Robbie Antonio. In a nod to Jean Prouvé’s demountable houses, Nouvel designed 6m x 6m modules, each divided by sliding doors into quadrants, so the space can be structured in different ways. The units can exist on their own or linked together, and small blocks containing a kitchen, a bathroom or a closet can be attached to the exterior. The walls are insulated sandwich panels, aluminium outside and wood on the interior. Each house is transportable and easy to install in a matter of days. 

The prefab house is being displayed in the Jardin des Tuileries in October, as part of the FIAC contemporary art fair outdoor exhibitions programme in collaboration with the Louvre. Just steps away, the first museum exhibition dedicated to Nouvel’s design will take place at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, from 27 October to 12 February. Titled ‘Jean Nouvel, mes meubles d’architecte’, the show is an overview of Nouvel’s most important pieces going back 30 years, including those original objects for VIA. Certain items will be shown to the public for the very first time, such as seating for the public areas in the soon-to-open Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Nouvel’s latest exhibition in Paris traces his most important works (pictured, ’Miroir’ B, 2014) from the past 30 years, pitching them against the ornate objects from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs’ permanent collection.
(Image credit: Luc Boegly)

‘It was high time’ for such an exhibition, says the museum’s director, Olivier Gabet, who got to know Nouvel while overseeing the Louvre Abu Dhabi project. ‘He’s one of the great architects of our time.’ Gabet recalls walking through the Musée des Arts Décoratifs with Nouvel and being struck by the architect’s passion for the Middle Ages and Renaissance collections. They decided to go beyond the temporary spaces and install the Nouvel exhibition throughout the entire museum, all 2,000 sq m, including the permanent collections and the Advertising and Graphic Design museum that Nouvel himself designed in 1998. 

The show is divided into two general themes. An overview of Nouvel’s various design philosophies, from elementarity to transformable furniture, occupies the temporary spaces. The second part, in the permanent galleries, is a dialogue between the museum’s historic collection and Nouvel’s work, such as the limited-edition ‘Triptyques’ mirrors he created for the Gagosian gallery and Galerie Patrick Seguin.

The mirrors, of various sizes, measure up to 2.3m in height and extend as wide as 3.7m when unfolded. Their glass is slightly blurry and softly coloured, giving a new perspective to age-old sculptures and furniture from the collection. ‘They exist to reveal the space around them, reflecting objects in another geometry, another light,’ the architect says.

Hearing him talk, it’s clear that Nouvel is eager to finally put his body of design on public display, and in such a prestigious setting. ‘To show one’s own objects alongside masterpieces from earlier centuries, you need courage, some pretentiousness,’ – he pauses for a moment – ‘and a bit of humility, too.’

As originally featured in the November 2016 issue of Wallpaper* (W*212)

JND’s managing director Franck Argentin (left) and art director Ernesto Mistretta at the Molteni & C factory outside Milan, where the studio’s ‘LessLess’ table is produced.
(Image credit: Alberto Zanetti)
Nouvel’s furniture is the subject of a new exhibition recently opened at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. The designer has also created modular exhibition spaces especially for the show.
(Image credit: Luc Boegly)
(Image credit: TBC)
His works create a dialogue with the museum, its history and its collections
(Image credit: TBC)
On the occasion of his first solo furniture show, we take a look back at Nouvel’s greatest hits, from home to workplace. Pictured, ’LessLess’ table, for Molteni & C, 1994
(Image credit: TBC)
’Skin’ sofa, for Molteni & C, 2008
(Image credit: TBC)
’Miroir D’, part of the Triptyques series, for Gagosian and Galerie Patrick Seguin, 2014
(Image credit: TBC)
’Cases’ office system, for Unifor, 2013
(Image credit: TBC)

INFORMATION

‘Jean Nouvel, mes meubles d’architecte. Sens et essence’ is on view until 12 February 2017. For more information, visit Jean Nouvel’s website and Les Arts Décoratifs website

ADDRESS

Musée des Arts décoratifs
107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris

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Jean Nouvel Presents His Modular Shelter For Revolution Precrafted

by France Architecture News

Jean Nouvel is one of the designers who develops modular mobile homes for Revolution Precrafted-Nouvel has unveiled his modular shelter, produced as part of a limited edition series for Revolution PrecraftedNamed Simple, this house is designed and packaged off-site, delivered in a standard shipping container and easily assembled on-site for the fair.

The architects first presented his design in front of the Louvre in Paris on October 18 – 28. The, Nouvel’s collectible home was showcased during the Foire internationale d’art contemporain (FIAC) in Paris. 

https://vimeo.com/187759976
video by Revolution Precrafted

The structure is comprised of lightweight aluminum exterior panels, a layer of thermally-efficient insulating foam and wooden interior lining. The design is customizable in size and layout, allowing for end-users to define the space to their liking with sliding interior windows and partitions. Collectors can also choose from a variety of interior finishes.

”Housing is the purpose of architecture. What we propose here is the most immediate way to inhabit a space, within a short timeframe, in places that are not designed for residential use today and that become so, spontaneously. All of the essential notions relating to housing must be condensed into a single object that can be built very quickly and inhabited by one, two, three or four people within the same volume,” said Jean Nouvel.

Revolution presents art and design enthusiasts with a new way of collecting and experiencing art. These designer pavilions, envisioned by leading architects, artists and design luminaries, are collectible structures that aim to democratize high-design by making them accessible to a broader audience. 

An exclusive curation of pre-crafted pavilions is made available thru a sophisticated e-commerce platform, making it possible for anyone to own editioned pieces in a click of a button. 

Revolution Precrafted Pavilions are collectible structures with a wide array of functions that will complement a home or an existing space. They are unique space additions that can be anything from a living room, pool, reading area, or a multitude of other functions that are meant to inspire, excite, motivate, and contribute to one’s health and wellbeing.

The project unites over 30 of the world’s preeminent architects, artists and designers to create an exclusive series of prefab, liveable spaces including Zaha Hadid&Patrik Schumacher, Kengo Kuma, Massimiliano&Doriana Fuksas, Ben Van Berkel, Sou Fujimoto, Fernando Romero and many more.

Jean Nouvel

Related Links: About Robbie Antonio , Contact