GARDENING [9] LA FOCE

LA FOCE's Superview

One of the most stunning artificial views was created by Cecil Pinsent. Pinsent was an architect who had the good fortune to find a wealthy and influential patron when he was still in his early twenties. He was taken up by the American art historian Bernard Berenson. [Google all those Berenson's and you will see Marisa was his grandniece] He created quite some gardens in Italy of which I want to mention La Foce, to which this view belonged.

La Foce
Benedetta Origo
"...And then three years later, after my American great-grandmother had given my parents
enough money for a water pipe from a spirng six miles away,
he(Pinsent) was able to start this first little garden."

Oh, and this YouTube filmexplains more about La Foce. I almost forgot...

A lot has been written about all of Pinsent's work. Here is another link to another villa: i Tatti, 

It will lead you on to other interesting links.

SMALL FILM ON BIG BALDESSARI

The ... made a wonderful film on John Baldessari. For those that have not heard of this man.

Leave it to filmmakers, Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost of Supermarche, to come up with an original way to shorten the biography of world-renowned, American artist, John Baldessari to 6 minutes. Commissioned by LACMA for their first annual “Art + Film Gala,” honoring John Baldessari and Clint Eastwood, the short documentary, written by Gabriel Nussbaum and narrated by the definitive voice of Baldessari’s dear friend Tom Waits is a refreshing take on the classic video interview. The doc captivates and informs its audience with a witty narrative, using graphics and visuals, not unfamiliar to Baldessari’s own work.

Supermarche is known best for their somewhat controversial, documentary-style feature, Catfish, about a relationship that blossoms over the internet. Good to see that they they continue to push the limits of documentary filmmaking.

John Anthony Baldessari (born June 17, 1931) is an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images. He lives and works in Santa Monica andVenice, California

Initially a painter, Baldessari began to incorporate texts and photography into his canvases in the mid 1960s. In 1970 he began working in printmaking, film, video, installation, sculpture and photography.^[1]He has created thousands of works that demonstrate—and, in many cases, combine—the narrative potential of images and the associative power of language within the boundaries of the work of art. His art has been featured in more than 200 solo exhibitions in the U.S. and Europe.^[2] His work influenced Cindy Sherman, David Salle, and Barbara Kruger among others.^[3]

John's home

LOUBOUTIN WINDOWS SELFRIDGES

We see London getting ready for their Olympiade. Not into sports? No problem. Walking around a completely brushed up city, visiting Tate Modern or The Design Museum. The latter organizes an exhibition of French shoe designer Christian Louboutin. In the meanwhile you can see his windows at Selfridges...

As the former Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent designer celebrates his own ubiquitous brand’s 20 years of shiny red soles and outrageous designs; Christian Louboutin’s is a name that’s hard to escape right now. The brilliant StudioXAG once again have their indubitable talents on display in London’s most iconic shop windows – their spellbinding kaleidoscopic displays mesmerising fashionistas and cynics alike. Whilst inside, Selfridges and StudioXAG have collaborated on an exquisite World of Louboutin concept space – a whole host of his lavish designs to splurge your pennies upon.

Watch the films.

RAFAEL LOZANO-HEMMER

I was struck by the works of artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. You can browse his website and see so many interesting ideas  / photos / films. There is enough for everybody. Some things will remind you of Eliason, some of Abramovich. But it's more this time captured then looking like.

Lozano's Website

Here are some of his videos:

It also reminded me of an interview by Chris Dercon in Dutch Newspaper NRC [5-3-2012] where he makes a statement about the enormous lust for participation, visitor's of museums have nowadays. There is a link, but only available for subscribers of NRC

Quote: 'De Tate biedt een vorm van troost' Volgens Chris Dercon, directeur van Tate Modern, is de nieuwe museumbezoeker geen consument meer maar deelnemer. Er is een enorme zucht naar participatie ... 

JIM DENEVAN [LAND ART 1]

Today I discovered Jim Denevan. Some pictures on FaceBook / design-dautore.com made me curious. Jim makes temporary drawings on sand earth and ice that are eventually erased by waves and weather. Contrary to the seventies land-art, this, in my opinion doesn't try to bear more importance then it can offer us: an extra way of seeing the specific beauty of a place...

There is also a certain kind of contemplating quality in the making of these works. Listening to the story in this film, you recognize the meaning of the work for himself.

ABOUT FILM [2] WOMEN IN FILM

Same recipe as the male version, again Philip Scott Johnson, now presenting 80 Years of Female Actresses in Cinema...

Her are; Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Norma Shearer, Ruth Chatterton, Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Vivien Leigh, Greer Garson, Hedy Lamarr, Rita Hayworth, Gene Tierney, Olivia de Havilland, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, Loretta Young, Deborah Kerr, Judy Garland, Anne Baxter, Lauren Bacall, Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge, Shirley MacLaine, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Janet Leigh, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Ann Margret, Julie Andrews, Raquel Welch, Tuesday Weld, Jane Fonda, Julie Christie, Faye Dunaway, Catherine Deneuve, Jacqueline Bisset, Candice Bergen, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sigourney Weaver, Kathleen Turner, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Angela Bassett, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Salma Hayek, Sandra Bullock, Julianne Moore, Diane Lane, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry

Music this time: Bach's Prelude from Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, performed by Yo-Yo Ma


Women In Film from Philip Scott Johnson on Vimeo.

EAMES & EAMES X 10 : 10

Sure we have seen it all and it was already awsome in its days. But nevertheless let's take another look and appreciate what the Eameses did for us. At the speed light up and down again. Times ten or divided by it... Here goes.

WIKISTYLE

It struck me that the Wikileaks people had found a startling environment for shedding their secrets. They moved from California USA to Stockholm Sweden and hid themselves in an old nuclear bunker. The images are stunning, The World Of Interiors could easely turn it into a mayor reportage. 007 revisited...

There's also a film about the move...

HEY, I'VE GOT YOUR STUFF

The brilliant French television producer Remi Gaillard needs no introduction, the average internet user has probably already seen one of his jokes. It's been a long time since we last heard of Remi, but that doesn't mean he has lost his sense of humor. You are warned! French parking lots and a godfather-like figure? Let's just hope it's Remi!.

ANDRéE PUTMAN AMBASSADRICE DU STYLE

André Putman, designer / stylist has finally got her overview in the Paris. More a kind of eighties icon, that reintroduced art-deco into the world in a new and stylish, often black and white, fashion. Known for her big studio lamps, black and white tiled bathrooms and love of Jean Michel Frank succeeded to turn this all into a typical 'Putman Style', now on show in the Hotel De Ville.



Découvrez Rétrospective "Andrée Putman, ambassadrice du style" à l'Hôtel de Ville sur Culturebox !

For a dazzling overview; Google images

SLAVA'S SNOW SHOW

Découvrez Slava's Snowshow : le meilleur du cirque contemporain russe en tournée en France sur Culturebox !

THE BLACK HOLE

Definetly the end of imagination...

ARMAN

Les années soixante / soixante-dix révivent au Centre Pompidou, allez-y!



Découvrez Le centre Pompidou rend hommage à Arman sur Culturebox !