Carrie's Design Musings

Spotlight On: Rafael Viñoly

I won something ~ a book. I never win anything! Once, I won a Ralph Lauren blanket, then left it on the train. I didn't have it in my possession for 3 hours! That kind of s**t always happens to me! So imagine my surprise and delight.

I received this beautiful signed book by famed architect Rafael Viñoly. RV is a world-renowned architect and classical pianist originally from Uruguay.
What makes architecture so fulfilling for RV is the ability to satisfy his clients' needs while creating iconic works that take on a most unique form of artistic commitment.

While Rafael claims not to have a visual style, I think of more of his work than not as curvaceous, but also linier with a lot of symmetry and flooded with light; conforming harmoniously with the environment in which it sits~the buildings are a matter of proportion and relationships of form and space.

I knew RV built The Kimmel Center , which is quite a showpiece here in Philadelphia. It is like a building within a building and a rooftop deck, all under a dome.

I wondered what else in the area, if anything, RV designed. I was surprised to find out he designed one of the most spectacular estates (that happens to be for sale) this side of the Keystone State: Arbor Hill.

Arbor Hill is really a masterpiece, as are many of Mr. Viñoly's commissions. Rafael's residential projects are warm and fairly clean in design, but you feel connected to the space, not unlike his large commercial buildings. An artist (architect), like a musician, understands not only the image or song, but the note, and it's intrinsic relationship to the whole.

ph: Kimmel Center, G. Widman, Christies

One Spot, Two Spot...

Red Spot, Blue Spot

What is it about these brightly colored dots that speak to me? Is it the simplicity, the memory of the excitement I felt opening a fresh box of Crayola crayons when I was young and innocent?

The Complete Spot paintings by Damien Hirst will be on view at all 11 Gogosian Galleries around the world thru February. This is the first time a single artist has taken over ALL the galleries.

via Hot Dog decor

I was always a colorist, I’ve always had a phenomenal love of color… I mean, I just move color around on its own. So that’s where the spot paintings came from—to create that structure to do those colors, and do nothing. I suddenly got what I wanted. It was just a way of pinning down the joy of color.

—Damien Hirst

via Post and Grant

via Escapade

Apparently the spot paintings represent the randomness in this world. The colors are chosen arbitrarily. If the painting comes off as successful; then it is unsuccessful. Endless multiplicity should give us reason to pause and consider each as part of a whole ~ going on into infinity. This might be the only time that is really possible, given his paintings sell for millions and it's rare to see so many in one place.

ph: Jonathan Becker

Whatever meaning is ascribed to them, I just find them visually exciting, just like Damien's spin art collection.

I can't speak about the dots without mentioning the spin art paintings. I love them too! The effectiveness of the design on a round canvas also has me swooning every time I see one.

Can you imagine walking in to your home every day and being greeted by that? It's like a giant smile.

via Edtya & Co.

Johnson Hartig, designer of Libertine didn't have to choose one over the other!

Johnson Hartig

via Laura Day

What are your thought's on Mr. Hirst's exuberant work?

Trendspotting: A Mondrian Moment

via Design Crisis

Is it just me or is Piet Mondrian's color blocked inspiration everywhere? The primary bright, grid based pattern was part of a style known as De Stiji, or neo plasticism. Those belonging to the movement wanted to express spiritual harmony and order in their art. The trend calls upon this artist's look most notably and is still prized, long after Mondrian's death.

trendland.com

Boyarde Messenger hand painted shoe for Charlotte Olympia

Whether it is fashion or home decor, we're all having a Mondrian moment.

In another homage to Piet, Shiro Kuramata created this cabinet for Cappellini. Cappellini creates furniture that is somewhere between imagination and reality. Reality is overrated.

YSL created a classic color blocked Mondrian dress in 1965 that just sold at auction for $47,000.00.

Moschino has their own version. Although it was designed years ago, it is considered a classic; I would wear it today (or at least when the weather warmed up).

I had an art teacher in high school who always said this~

Sarah Schofield

cleveland.com

And as with everything ~ If a big piece of furniture or a boat is too much of a focal point, and an original piece of art work is not in your future, start small, with accessories.