Splash of Color

Eco Friendly paint goes airbourne in the hands of photographers Floto + Warner's creative eye.  I am mesmerized by the beauty of this commercial meets artistic project that elevates non toxic paint to star status.

The "Colorant" project using Behar, Benjamin Moore, CB Paint, Farrow and Ball, as well as Sherwin Williams water based paints is the headliner and mother nature's beautiful backdrop elevates the photos to otherworldly.

“We call the Colourants floating sculptural events. They are short-lived anomalies that pass you by at an imperceptible flash - fleeting moments that block and obscure the landscape, a momentary graffiti of air and space.

That is sort of what we love about photography, its ability to take the transitory and make it permanent,” says the duo. 

There was no photoshop involved in the making of these photos.

It is a fleeting momernt captured in time. This is a lovely reminder that being mindful of present moments is a gift because everything is impermanent.

Incorporating Antiques

I attended the Winter Antique Show at the Park Avenue Armory last Friday.  I always meant to go, so an invitation from DESCARO  was just the impetus I needed to make a point of getting myself there.  I had no doubt I would love it, and I did!  The antique show, now in its 63rd year benefits the East Side House Settlement which helps bring education and resources to those who need it in the South Bronx and Northern Manhattan.

Donzella

I wish I could have bought one of these faceted, hand cut crystal consoles.  They were spectacular!

Frank and Barbara Pollack American Antiques and Art, Highland Park,IL

Still life in white, Anat Shiftan

I am a big believer in incorporating antiques into an interior space.  If your space is more modern they create a great tension between the modern day and the past.  If your interior is more traditional, antiques lend an authenticity to your space that a reproduction does not.  The provenance of a piece has history that seems to radiate.  Contemporary art in a traditional setting is the easiest way to dip your toe into the look of mixing styles and periods.

If you follow me on Instagram you saw this, but this is worth mentioning again because it is so fabulous.  Maison Gerard brought in graffiti artist Faust who is known as an awesome calligrapher, to put this stamp on their back wall.  This perfectly illustrates how dynamic contemporary, vintage, and antique pieces can coexist.  It says, "It seemed like a good idea at the time."  If I had a dime....

While purchasing antiques with a pedigree may be important to some, you can get beautiful pieces at all price points.  This highboy comes with its original documentation.  According to the fascinating paper work, John Cochran once owned it (1765-1775). This dealer specializes in supplying some kind of paperwork that authenticates or educates with each piece.

Nathan Liverant and Son, Colchester,CT

I love hearing backstories of a piece, how they dealer came to it, where the piece may have come from, who it may have belonged to.  Its history makes it magical.

Herschel and Adler Galleries, New York, NY

There are really no rules when showcasing antiques.  Many elevate their "very important pieces" in a precious way focusing to their importance, but many incorporate them in a whimsical way that speaks to the desire for the history, but not taking it too seriously.  Americana has an innate character that makes them perfect for a playful look.

Kelly Kinzel, New Oxford, PA

From assorted Civil War Infantry Drums, circa 1822, in use until late 1870's to a collection of John Singer Sargent paintings surrounding a Tiffany lamp ~ the selection is vast, and the dealers, international.

Michael Altman Fine Art

One of the most intriguing booths was the jeweler Didier.  The windows invite you to peek in and linger at the jewelry that is just as much art by such artists as Warhol, Calder, Piero Dorazio, among others.

It's a great opportunity to think about starting or expanding on a collection.

Robert Young Antiques, London

Tambaran, New York

And don't think it is limited to your interiors.  An exterior space should tell a similar story.

Elizabeth Israel, Katonah NY

The show is only there till January 29th, if you get a chance to stop by.

The World of Gloria Vanderbilt ~

Collages, Dream Boxes and Recent Paintings

Aurelia in turtleneck

When I think of Gloria Vanderbilt I think of those once thought of sexy jeans she came out with in the 1970's.  Admit it, (if you were alive in the 70's) you owned a pair or two!  Who knew she is also a painter and creates collages?  At 88, Gloria is busy painting portraits of friends and family among other things, and has been doing so since the 50's.  1st Dibs is showcasing her work in an exhibition thru October 24th.  Earlier works and dream boxes will be displayed, but only certain recent works will be for sale to benefit The Huntsville Museum of Art.

Cloud Land

Patterns

I liked the collages with their flecks of gold, shells, fabric and brightly colored bits of paper.  It looked like the faces were painted on the glass.  They had a 3-dimensional quality to them.  Often the collages were of royalist subjects.  Gloria's artistic endeavors spawned many business ventures.

Cavalier

Along side the paintings were dream boxes.  I fully admit, I do not understand the plexiglass containers filled with doll heads and paraphernalia, but somebody called it visual poetry.  Who am I to question art?

Surprises

Bye Bye Mamma from Baby Willy

Lily of the Valley

New Years Eve

Gloria usually doesn't know what she is going to paint until she is standing in front of the canvas, always wearing her denim painting smock and signature hair style.  Her inspiration; an appetite for life!

ph: Josh Gaddy

See more of Gloria's work: here
phs: 1st Dibs and CLI

Sweets For The Sweet

Peter Anton really know's how to make your mouth water with his larger than life sculptures, mostly of wonderful baked goods and candies.  I don't know if I could look at these all day and still keep my sweet tooth in check, but they certainly are eye candy ~

They're BIG, and maybe not for the diet conscious

source

but ~ there are some lower calorie options!

These looked beyond delicious on the hot summer day I happened to step into Gallery Valentine, mostly for some cool air.

You can practically taste the gooey jelly dripping from the center of the doughnut

YUM ~ O

ph: CLI, Peter Anton

The Barnes Foundation ~ Moving Masterpieces

 "The mission of The Barnes Foundation is to promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of fine arts...to maintain an art gallery of works of ancient and modern art, in connection with an arboretum...for the study of arboriculture and forestry. "

              -Albert C. Barnes

Alfred C Barnes, 1926 by Giorgia di Chericio

Albert Barnes, a philanthropist, educator, and eccentric art collector amassed one of the most comprehensive private collections with some of the greatest works of the past 100 years.  Considered by some a rather radical art collection for the day, Albert concentrated on French impressionistic, post impressionistic, and early modern paintings.  He was also interested in African sculpture, folk art, and metalwork.

Barnes amassed his collection including 181 Renoir's, 69 Cézanne's, 59 Matisse's, 46 Piccasso's, and a host of other riches within galleries in his neo classic home in Merion, PA, an upscale suburb just outside Philadelphia.  It was designed by Paul Phillipe Cret and includes a significant arboretum and horticultural program.  Albert loved to educate.  Having had issues with "the establishment" in Philadelphia and arguments with the politicians of the day, Albert decided to collect and exhibit on his own terms.  He put many restrictions on the ability of others to enjoy his life's work.  For years neighbors complained about the traffic, noise, and lack of privacy that they had to endure.  A bitter battle raged for years. 

Albert Barnes died in a car accident in 1951 and stipulated in his will that his art work NEVER be moved.

The Barnes Collection is significant and varied.  It is estimated to be worth 25 billion dollars.  What garners the most attention, aside from the depth and breadth of the artists represented, is the style in which it hangs.  Mr. Barnes very purposely hung the art work in "ensembles"; formal arrangements guided by the principals of light, line, color, and space.  The ensembles changed as the collection grew and each piece related differently to another, whether it be a painting or iron work that might have a similar shape represented within it.

  

The trust was broken and the Barnes recently moved into it's new $150 million dollar home.  The modernist building was designed by NY architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.  It is 10 times larger than the Merion space and includes a conference center, restaurant, and library.

Keeping Mr. Barnes' vision alive was the one thing that everyone agreed must be adhered to.  To that end, all the galleries were meticulously recreated and art work hung exactly as they were in Merion, inch by inch, object by object.  The ceiling was designed and built to accommodate Matisse's The Dance. 

It seems no matter whom you ask that is familiar with the controversy, everyone has an opinion about whether the city did the right thing.  Should the trust have been broken?  What good is a world famous art collection if it can't be seen by the world?  Was it entirely politically motivated?  Is the modernist building appropriate and reflective of the art inside?  It's a magnificent collection that can now be seen and enjoyed by the masses; important by anyone's standards ~ so does anything else matter?

What are your thoughts?

Ironiclly, The new Barnes Foundation sits next to The Rodin museum which was built by Paul Phillipe Cret.


Ph: Michael Bryant, The Barnes Foundation, #3 via slowpainting