DESTACADOS, Especial, EVENTOS, Galerías, RELOJES, Relojes de bolsillo, Relojes de Hombre, Relojes de Mujer, Relojes de Oro

“The Anatomy of Beauty®” An Art & Timepiece Exhibit in the Vacheron Constantin New York Flagship

New York, NY, April 25^th, 2022 – Dive into an exploration of earth’s organic and complicated structures alongside the artistry of watchmaker Vacheron Constantin’s timepieces in “The Anatomy of Beauty®”, a new exhibition opening in Vacheron Constantin’s New York Flagship at 28 E.57th St NY, NY from April through September 2022. Vacheron Constantin creates an immersive experience that shines light upon the layered and minute details that create beauty through a curated collection of extraordinary watches alongside larger than life depictions of coral, and the viscerally moving artwork, These Waters, by artist Melissa McGill.

A Commitment to Art & Culture

Throughout its history, Vacheron Constantin has demonstrated a deep commitment to the arts. Most recently on a global level, the Maison’s partnership with the Louvre, embodies Vacheron Constantin’s unwavering dedication to the conservation, preservation and transmission of artistic craft. In the Americas, a series of exhibitions in the Flagship boutique have come to life to support and showcase work by American artists including Chris Burden, photographer Cory Richards, and contemporary pop artist Jojo Anavim. In this new exhibition, the Maison introduces work by interdisciplinary New York artist, Melissa McGill.

Beauty in the Details

Vacheron Constantin’s “The Anatomy of Beauty®” is a metaphorical and physical journey. Coral-structures and skeletonized watch-movements suddenly take on a new relationship, their respective esthetic rhythms of plains and voids, shadow and light echoing one another’s carefully crafted surfaces. The entire composition of a watch movement, although mechanical, appears organic and filled with life as it operates – as lively as the meticulous work of nature which builds the openwork lace-architecture of the ocean’s coral, or the tick tock steady rhythm of the earth’s water waves as depicted in These Waters by Melissa McGill. It is in these details between nature’s work and the work of human hands, that we find incredible, visceral, and undeniable, beauty.

Extraordinary Watches

The Art of Skeletonization

Highly complicated skeletonized watches might be considered the ultimate quest in a mechanical world – the meticulous attention to detail both in beauty and in function is a sight to behold. This detail-oriented and stunning work of skeletonization is magnificently shown in the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar. The contemporary gold timepiece is magnified by a sapphire dial which appears to extend an invitation to dive into the heart of its anatomy and explore its ultra-thin and skeletonized perpetual calendar caliber 1120 QPSQ/1.

On special exhibit for the show, the Maison offers a look at a rare repeating watch combined with the beauty of a skeletonized dial in a platinum limited edition Skeleton Minute Repeater reference from 2006. The caliber 1755 beating inside of the timepiece consists of 330 parts, at only 3.30 mm thick. The view through the sapphire crystal dial shows decorative hand engraving of the wheels and bridges as well as beautiful racks that track the hours and minutes. The platinum 37mm case features iconic tear drop lugs. This Skeleton Minute Repeater visually brings to mind the careful and intricate details of the world’s underwater corals and combines the best of technical expertise in complicated watchmaking with the Maison’s unique artistic expression.

Intricacy of Gem-setting

Whether functional or ceremonial objects, Vacheron Constantin’s women’s creations bear witness to a perpetually renewed notion of beauty and a constant quest for technical creativity, within which attention to detail shapes a watchmaking aesthetic that is unique to the Maison.

The modern Égérie ladies collection showcases an exquisite dial pattern, inspired by a tapestry technique, made using the art of guilloche, and expertly set with diamonds. The signature touch of the Égérie collection on display is a daring off-centered display, designed around two intertwined circles. The date or the moon-phase is part of a subtle diagonal line formed by the Vacheron Constantin logo and the crown audaciously placed between 1 and 2 o’clock o’clock.

On display for the exhibition, an 1822 yellow gold pocket watch expertly set with amethyst precious stones in a delicate wave pattern of brilliant, yet delicate color also serves as an example of Vacheron Constantin’s passion for delicate and beautiful watchmaking arts. The gold dial displays an engine-turned center and 12 Roman numerals, as well as an outer minute track. The timepiece stands as an excellent example of Vacheron Constantin’s heritage in beautifully detailed gem-set pocket watches and the Maison’s longstanding expertise in gem-setting as it captures and reflects light much like the water’s waves with their glistening sunshine peaks.

Métiers d’Art

Born from a reflection upon the past and the present, the Méetiers d’Art “Les Masques” limited edition collection created in 2007 recounts a thousand years of history across four continents. In keeping with the Maison’s commitment to arts and culture, twelve masks from the Barbier-Mueller Museum’s collection are depicted through a sculpted gold plate on each watch dial. Hand-chiseled reliefs along with interplays of light and transparency capture the emotion of these centuries-old masks. Each piece is expertly equipped with a 2460 G4 beating heart caliber and features written poetry by Michel Butor to depict the civilization represented. The Gabon mask is on display, upon delving further into the dial, poetry encircles its edges and holds its own secret message.

A Powerful Perspective: These Waters

In keeping with the Maison’s longstanding support of artistic arts, as a centerpiece of “The Anatomy of Beauty®” exhibition in the Vacheron Constantin New York Flagship, stands These Waters (2022), an immersive sculptural installation created by New York artist Melissa McGill at the invitation of and with support from Vacheron Constantin. These Waters is composed of five large-scale photographs of New York’s Hudson River on glass. Panels lean against each other and the wall, appearing to be portals into the waters, their size and placement evoking the rise and fall of the tides. The artwork creates a stunning conversation between light, reflection, transparency, shadow and ephemerality. Intricate and glittering, These Waters aims to inspire conversation about the preciousness of water–our lifeforce. Through the language of water, viewers are reminded of being one with the natural world, not separate from it.

Inspiration From Nature

Nature produces its own perfection and beauty, one that is complex, organic and alive. It is this natural perfection that Vacheron Constantin draws inspiration from in the exhibition “The Anatomy of Beauty®”. Much like the beauty found in nature, the care and detail in the Maison’s timepieces are so flawless that blowing them up to a huge and surreal scale is the only way to fully appreciate and admire them. In “The Anatomy of Beauty®”, the attention, dedication and passion that Vacheron Constantin imbues in the minutest of details, is revealed through a lens of contemporary art and magnified imagery of the organic beauty found in our waters.

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ABOUT MELISSA McGILL

Melissa McGill is a New York based interdisciplinary artist known for ambitious, collaborative public art projects. They take the form of site-specific, immersive experiences that explore nuanced conversations between land, water, sustainable traditions, and the interconnectedness of all living things. At the heart of her work is a focus on community, meaningful shared experiences and lasting impact. Spanning a variety of media including performance, photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, sound, light, video and immersive installation, McGill has presented both independent public art projects and solo exhibitions nationally and internationally since 1991. She lives in Lenapehoking (Beacon, New York). Melissa McGill is a member of the Lenape Center Advisory Council and a National Endowment of the Arts ArtWorks Grant recipient. She is represented in the USA by TOTAH.

ABOUT VACHERON CONSTANTIN

Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest watch Manufacture in continuous production for over 265 years, faithfully perpetuating a proud heritage of watchmaking excellence and stylistic sophistication through generations of master craftsmen. At the pinnacle of Haute Horlogerie and understated elegance, the Maison creates timepieces with unique technical and aesthetic signatures, and an extremely high level of finishing touches. Vacheron Constantin brings to life unparalleled heritage and a spirit of innovation through its collections: Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Métiers d’Art, Overseas, Fiftysix, Historiques and Égérie. It also offers its discerning clientele of connoisseurs the rare opportunity to acquire unique and bespoke timepieces by means of its “Les Cabinotiers“ department.

25 April, 2022/by Maria G

ARTE, COLECCIONISMO, Descubrimientos, Escultura, Especial, EVENTOS, Exposiciones, Exposiciones

ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST – Japan: Courts and Culture – The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST – JAPÓN: CORTES Y CULTURA – GALERÍA DE LA REINA, PALACIO DE BUCKINGHAM

Japón: Cortes y Cultura: Galería de la Reina, Palacio de Buckingham

Esta exposición explora los encuentros reales británicos con Japón durante un período de 350 años.

Desde armaduras de samurái enviadas a James I en 1613 hasta un regalo de coronación para SM la Reina en 1953, los tesoros japoneses han llegado a la corte británica a través del comercio, los viajes y los tratados.

Cada objeto en exhibición refleja materiales y técnicas particulares de Japón. Excepcionalmente, muchos fueron encargados o presentados por la familia imperial japonesa. Juntos, revelan el intercambio ceremonial, diplomático y artístico que une las dos cortes de Oriente y Occidente.

… un desfile de tesoros exquisito, intrincado y verdaderamente divertido ★★★★

EL TELÉGRAFO

La Colección Real contiene algunos de los ejemplos más significativos dearte y diseño japonés en el mundo occidental. Por primera vez, se reúnen los aspectos más destacados de esta destacada colección para contar la historia de 300 años de intercambio diplomático, artístico y cultural entre las familias reales e imperiales británica y japonesa. La exposición incluye raras piezas de porcelana y laca, armaduras de samuráis, biombos bordados y obsequios diplomáticos de los reinados de Jaime I a Su Majestad la Reina. Juntos, ofrecen una visión única de los mundos de los rituales, el honor y el arte que vinculan las cortes y las culturas de Gran Bretaña y Japón.

Japón: Cortes y Cultura: Galería de la Reina, Palacio de Buckingham

Japón: Tribunales y cultura: Galería de la Reina, Palacio de BuckinghamJapón: Tribunales y cultura: Galería de la Reina, Palacio de Buckingham

Explora la exposición

Descripción

Esta espléndida y discreta armadura fue enviada a James I de Inglaterra por Tokugawa Hidetada, tercer hijo de Tokugawa Ieyasu, quien gobernó como el segundo shōgun de la dinastía Tokugawa de 1605 a 1623. Algunas fuentes han sugerido que la armadura pudo haber pertenecido alguna vez a Takeda Katsuyori (1546 – 82), un daimyō que había luchado y perdido contra Tokugawa Ieyasu en la batalla de Tenmokuzan en 1582.La armadura es del tipo envuelto en el cuerpo ( dōmaru ), que gira alrededor del cuerpo y se abrocha a la derecha. El casco con forma de calabaza ( akodanari kabuto ) está firmado por Iwai Yozaemon, uno de los principales armeros de la familia gobernante Tokugawa. Las armaduras de Iwai Yozaemon en otras colecciones reales europeas indican que este fue un obsequio diplomático popular de la familia Tokugawa, fácilmente disponible de una fuente regular y confiable.

El casco tiene una nuca muy ancha, casi plana ( shikoro ), pequeñas vueltas atrás ( fukikaeshi ) y visera ( mabizashi ) decorada en laca dorada con nubes estilizadas. El casco akodanari tiene líneas de remaches verticales prominentes y está lacado en negro. Es posible que se haya diseñado un área elevada en la parte posterior del casco para acomodar el chonmage , el peinado samurái que consistía en una coronilla afeitada con el cabello aceitado y atado en la parte posterior de la cabeza en una cola. Esta forma distintiva de casco fue extremadamente popular durante el período Muromachi (1392-1573) y el estilo tradicional habría atraído a la familia Tokugawa, que era conservadora en sus gustos. La mascarilla ( sōmen) tiene un aspecto temible, aunque posiblemente los bigotes se hayan recortado con el paso de los años.

Gran parte de la armadura está atada con seda roja y azul en un patrón de tablero de ajedrez. Las láminas ( kozane ) son piezas individuales de hierro lacadas y unidas, una técnica conocida como hon-kozane (‘verdadero’ kozane), que crea una armadura más flexible.

Continuando con el estilo conservador, las hombreras ( sode ) son muy grandes para una armadura de este período. Las áreas superiores de hierro sólido de la coraza ( dō ) están decoradas con dragones lacados en oro cuyas lenguas lacadas en rojo persiguen nubes estilizadas, posiblemente simbolizando la perla budista de la iluminación, sobre un fondo de laca negra. Las llantas ( fukurin ) y otros accesorios metálicos son de shakudō grabado y perforado y aleación de cobre dorado. Curiosamente, los pequeños herrajes para sujetar la coraza tienen un discreto motivo de una hoja de paulownia ( kiri ), símbolo imperial adoptado posteriormente por la familia Tokugawa. Las mangas ( kote) están decoradas de manera similar y tienen seda fina, aunque descolorida, con motivos auspiciosos y áreas de malla de hierro. Las grebas ( suneadas ) están decoradas con otras nubes estilizadas en laca dorada sobre negro.

Texto adaptado de Japón: Cortes y Cultura (2020).

Procedencia

Enviado a James I por Shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada, 1613

Esta es una de las ‘dos armaduras barnizadas’ entregadas al Capitán John Saris de la Compañía de las Indias Orientales en Edo el 19 de septiembre de 1613. Saris regresó a Plymouth con los obsequios en septiembre de 1614, pero no sobrevive ningún relato de su entrega a James I. Es casi seguro que la pareja fue la primera armadura japonesa en llegar a Gran Bretaña. A mediados del siglo XVII, parece que se separaron, ya que solo se registró uno en la Torre de Londres en 1660. La armadura actual se almacenó en una caja de laca en la Armería del Palacio de St. James, donde fue inventariada en 1649. –51 por el gobierno de la Commonwealth para la venta póstuma de las posesiones de Carlos I. En ese momento, se describió como una ‘Armadura india’ y Major Bas la compró el 23 de octubre de 1651 por 10 libras esterlinas.

Después del Interregno, la armadura se devolvió a la Colección Real, pero abundó la confusión sobre la procedencia de ambas piezas. La armadura de la Torre se describió, por ejemplo, en 1662 como un regalo a Carlos II “del emperador Mougul”, en la India. Todavía en 1916, la armadura actual se confundió con otra en las Armerías Reales que, de hecho, había sido entregada a Felipe II de España en 1585. En ese momento, en realidad estaba montada en la pared del Gran Vestíbulo en el Castillo de Windsor, con otros artículos japoneses de la Colección Real.

Fuente y fotos: ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST

16 April, 2022/by Maria G

ARQUITECTURA, Decoración, Decorador, Interiorismo

Moxie Interiors – Luxury Showrooms in Houston

Opened in 2011, in Houston, Texas, Moxie Interiors, lives to provide designers, architects, and collectors from around the globe the most distinguished antiques, vintage modern, and custom furnishings all that at one amazing showroom! We are going to show you some of their exquisite pieces and luxury interior design ideas to inspire you on your own project!

“I would start buying things when I would see them, and I got together with a couple of friends and we decided to open a showroom. For other designers to have that in-person look is important.” Designer Dennis Brackeen.

If you were wondering how the company was born, this is how, and what an amazing job!

Moxie primes for its exquisite, abnormal, yet luxury design. A prove of that is these beautiful and oddly comfortable chairs that will give a luxurious look to your living room!

Upholstery is also something they are really good at, besides out-of-the-box chairs. The Federal Style Banquette is a must-have on a luxury interior design project!

If you fancy a lounge, that’s far from being a problem! They got you covered with this luxury 1940s Italian Lounge Chair.

LET US KNOW IF YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE!

Inspired by French design, both Süe Et Mare French Art Deco Desk and French Art Deco Iron & Marble Console will give a classic and modern look to your entryway or office relying upon and representing luxury itself!

ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE?

The luxury ambiances they create are also one of the biggest attractions to the showroom. The decoration ornaments, the gold details, everything features to provide the most luxurious look!

Let us know what you think about this article on “Moxie Interiors – Luxury Showrooms in Houston”!

Are you really passionate about luxury design?

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10 December, 2021/by Ines Rodrigues

ARTE, Artistas, Escultura, Pintura

Los mejores Art Cars de Porsche

Los mejores art cars de Porsche

Desde el psicodélico 356 de una estrella del rock hasta un Taycan floralmente decorado, hemos reunido algunos de los mejores art cars en la historia de Porsche para rendir homenaje a los brillantes creadores que los convirtieron en realidad.

¿Es un Porsche el lienzo definitivo? Ciertamente, así se lo parece a los innovadores artistas aquí reunidos. Con motivo del lanzamiento del impresionante 968 L’ART, hacemos un repaso de algunos de los mejores ejemplos de art cars (coches artísticos) de Porsche, desde el 911 hasta el Taycan y el 356. Con esta panorámica, descubrimos que hace falta mucho más que una nueva capa de pintura para convertirlos en piezas emblemáticas del arte automovilístico.

968 L’ART por L’Art de L’Automobile

Encarnando la conexión entre los vehículos y la moda, este extraordinario coche rediseñado, obra de Arthur Kar y Adrien Leborgne, de L’Art de L’Automobile, transporta un aspecto retro a la era moderna. Presentado en la Semana de la Moda de París de 2021, junto con una colección cápsula a juego (conjunto de prendas y complementos que conforman un vestuario completo), los asistentes vieron cómo los mundos de la moda, el arte y los coches se unían para celebrar el 30º aniversario del 968. El modelo cobra vida en un impresionante color verde perla, con el encanto añadido de que parece tener otras tres tonalidades, dependiendo del ángulo desde el que se mire. TAG Heuer ha creado un cronógrafo a juego para acompañarlo. La eliminación del techo, los asientos Recaro, el cuero gráfico que combina con el color exterior o un sistema de audio a medida diseñado por BOSE son solo algunos de los ejemplos de cómo Arthur y Adrien se inspiraron en los coches clásicos que aman para transformarlo en una declaración contemporánea.

Cisne 996 por Chris Labrooy

El cisne se considera un símbolo de la felicidad en China.

Porsche ha ofrecido al artista digital escocés Chris Labrooy la oportunidad de trasladar una de sus obras de arte digitales al mundo real por primera vez. El resultado es el Cisne 996, que fue diseñado para el aniversario “20 años de Porsche en China”. El Porsche 911 de la generación 996 fue el primer vehículo vendido en China hace dos décadas. En este país, el cisne representa la felicidad. El art car hizo su primera aparición pública en Shanghái a principios de noviembre de 2021 y se dejará ver en otros lugares durante las próximas semanas.

911 Carrera por Nelson Makamo

El famoso artista sudafricano Nelson Makamo siempre supo que tendría un Porsche, pero no esperaba la forma en que ocurrió. Tras fantasear desde su infancia con lo que sentiría al tener las llaves de un Porsche, fue un encuentro fortuito con un ejemplar moderno durante una estancia en Western Cape lo que reavivó su sueño. Esto cimentó su compromiso de poseer finalmente un 911 Carrera en color negro azabache. Makamo encargó su primer Porsche con la intención de dejar su huella en su lienzo más inusual hasta la fecha. Pintó a mano varios elementos de su Porsche, desde el paragolpes trasero hasta los asientos, pasando por las inserciones en los paneles de las puertas y las carcasas de los retrovisores laterales. Si nos fijamos bien, encontraremos tres letras “Mma” en el panel de la puerta izquierda, que significa “madre” en su lengua materna, el sepedi. Para Makamo, este art car es el reflejo de su éxito, de las personas importantes que ha conocido y de la esperanza de que su obra despierte la imaginación de los niños de todo el continente africano.

Taycan Artcar por Richard Phillips

Flores y energía eléctrica en el atrevido art car de Richard Phillips.

Este es el tipo de obra de arte que hace que ver cómo se seca la pintura sea un pasatiempo auténticamente divertido. Su autor es el aclamado artista estadounidense Richard Phillips, que ha plasmado su visión en esta segunda piel para el Taycan. La obra cobró vida en Zúrich, creada en directo en el restaurante Leuehof, en la Bahnhofstrasse de Zúrich, en diciembre de 2020. Para esta obra maestra, Phillips aplicó su cuadro de 2010 “Queen of the Night” sobre la carrocería de un Porsche Taycan 4S, donde la exuberante pieza extiende su frondosa y floral disposición desde el capó delantero hasta la parte trasera. Inspirado en la belleza del entorno natural junto con la evocadora silueta del coche, Phillips consiguió otorgar un vínculo con la naturaleza a esta estrella eléctrica. A principios de este año se subastó y todo lo recaudado se donó a una organización sin ánimo de lucro, Suisseculture Sociale, que apoya a los artistas más afectados por la pandemia.

Taycan Artcar por Dale Chihuly

Otra obra de arte electrizante que cobró vida en 2021: el oasis hortícola de los Jardines de la Bahía de Singapur no solo alberga una variada colección de más de 1,5 millones de plantas, también se convirtió en el hogar temporal de este Taycan decorado con pétalos. Con Porsche como socio automovilístico oficial de la exposición “Vidrio en flor”, del artista estadounidense Dale Chihuly, el público pudo apreciar un deportivo más allá de la necesidad de velocidad. Envuelto en la extraordinaria decoración de la serie “Persas de Chihuly”, compuesta por flores ultra brillantes en una paleta diversa, el coche estuvo más que a la altura de su frondoso entorno. Sobre un pedestal, con el telón de fondo futurista del SG50 Lattice, reflejaba de forma armoniosa el ADN sostenible del Porsche Taycan en medio de un oasis verde orgánico.

Taycan Artcar por SUMO!

El código de color crea la ilusión óptica de un cohete entrando en la atmósfera terrestre.

Con motivo de la inauguración del Porsche Centre Roost, Porsche Luxemburgo decidió crear una obra de arte única sobre el tema del “Futuro” en colaboración con el reconocido artista luxemburgués SUMO!. Primero se desmontó el coche con la ayuda del equipo del Centro Porsche de la capital; luego, las piezas individuales fueron transportadas a un lugar desconocido donde SUMO! podría comenzar su trabajo. Se necesitaron más de cinco meses para completar el proyecto. También se pintaron el habitáculo, el interior de las puertas, las llantas y las llaves del coche. El art car ahora se exhibirá en varios eventos en todo el mundo.

Taycan Artcars por Megan Claire Keho y Rei Misiri

En una ronda sin precedentes de la Art Battle Canada 2021, se invitó a dos talentos locales del arte urbano moderno a crear diseños únicos para el Porsche Taycan. Y lo hicieron frente a una audiencia en directo, sobre la carrocería del propio automóvil. Al final de la “batalla”, que duró solo dos horas, Rei Misiri se impuso con su interpretación de “diferentes culturas y elementos estéticos de la naturaleza” (Taycan negro) frente a Megan Claire Keho, quien pintó el modelo blanco. Tras el evento, los vehículos se utilizan en viajes de prensa y eventos.

356 C de Janis Joplin por Dave Richards

La leyenda del rock Janis Joplin cantó “Todos mis amigos conducen Porsches”, pero en realidad ella misma tenía unos cuantos. Compró este coche en 1968, en color Gris Delfín (uno de los nueve disponibles en aquella época), y lo utilizó como medio de transporte diario. Describir el 356 SC de 1964 como un coche con una pintura muy colorida es quedarse corto. Janis pagó a su ayudante, David Richards, 500 dólares para que plasmara en el coche la “Historia del Universo” con casi todos los tonos posibles. Una historia que incluía imágenes de su banda, Big Brother and the Holding Company, paisajes californianos, el ojo de Dios, Capricornio, calaveras, setas y mucho más. El resultado es un vehículo que pide a gritos ser visto. Llegó a ser tan identificativo de su dueña que los fans le dejaban notas bajo el limpiaparabrisas. Cuando lo robaron, en 1969, el ladrón trató de ocultar su delito pintándolo con espray, pero la policía lo atrapó.

Afortunadamente, Richards pudo eliminar esa pintura sin dañar apenas la obra de arte. Trágicamente, Joplin murió en 1970, a la edad de 27 años, solo dos años después de comprar el coche. Su querido Porsche acabó en manos de sus hermanos y uno de ellos, Michael, lo restauró para devolverle su estado original, el Gris Delfín, que se había deteriorado. Luego, en los años 90, se decidió darle de nuevo la gloria psicodélica: su familia encargó a las artistas Jana Mitchell y Amber Owen que replicaran el mural anterior. Después de recorrer museos durante décadas, finalmente se puso a subasta para apoyar a organizaciones benéficas en nombre de su hermana. ¿El precio? La asombrosa cifra de 1,76 millones de dólares, que bate todos los récords de venta de un Porsche 356 en subasta pública. A cambio de esa suma, uno de los art cars más originales de Porsche, en todos los sentidos.

Erosión cristalina 911 por Daniel Arsham

Se conoce al artista visual contemporáneo Daniel Arsham por dar vida a objetos inanimados y jugar con el futurismo deconstruido. Tras dibujar coches de Porsche desde su infancia, en 2019 vinculó parte de su propia historia con la de la marca al crear este 911 (992) único y erosionado. El aspecto distópico se consiguió incrustando vidrios en la carrocería, creando un vehículo que no desentonaría en un mundo posapocalíptico. La pieza, que se puede conducir, se expuso en el Selfridges de Londres en 2019, antes de emprender una gira por Asia. Con los objetos contemporáneos sujetos a la transitoriedad, dice Arsham, esta pieza única evoca una sensación de deterioro yuxtapuesta a la decadencia.

911 RSR Le Mans por Richard Phillips

Este Porsche 911 RSR es más que una obra de arte: se convirtió en el primer art car de Porsche que ganó las 24 Horas de Le Mans, dentro de la categoría GTE Am, en 2019. Fue el resultado de la estrecha relación entre el artista, Richard Phillips, y el piloto oficial de Porsche, Jörg Bergmeister, para el que Richard había pintado un casco en 2013. Esto dio lugar, seis años después, a diseñar este modelo, en el que el artista utilizó parte de su trabajo existente para proyectar una intrincada decoración en 2D sobre el coche. Los detalles sobredimensionados y los atrevidos colores contrastados hicieron que no fuera necesario estar cerca para apreciar el diseño completo: los espectadores podían seguirlo fácilmente desde lejos. Y él a ellos, gracias al par de “ojos” pintados en su flanco. Este 911 RSR es un modelo para los libros de arte y de historia.

911 S de 1970 por Ornamental Conifer

Coches, ropa, incluso vajilla: el artista británico afincado en California Nico Sclater (alias Ornamental Conifer) tiene una maravillosa tipografía a mano alzada para todo ello. Y de todo lo que ha pintado, los coches de Porsche están entre lo más destacado. Las obras de Ornamental Conifer se reconocen por su característica combinación de rótulos de estilo pop art, impregnados de humor y combinados con un inteligente uso de juegos de palabras y giros (frases que el propio artista denomina “Coniferismos”). Hasta la fecha, tres Porsche han sido adornados con su estilo: un 911 de 1977 reconstruido para parecerse a un Carrera 3.0 RS de 1974, un 935 exhibido en el Salón del Automóvil SEMA de Las Vegas, y éste, el primer art car de Ornamental Conifer. Diseñado para un cliente de Texas, el mensaje de este 911 S es audaz y libre: “Quédate lejos para siempre”.

“Fat car“ NFT por Erwin Wurm*

Se conoce al escultor y pintor austriaco Erwin Wurm por sus obras de arte más grandes que la vida: durante dos décadas, la temática de su colección de enormes esculturas incluye las casas y los coches. En el 20º aniversario de su icónico Fat Car, en 2021, la peculiaridad de Wurm salió a relucir una vez más para dar vida -literalmente- a su primer token no fungible (NFT), titulado “Breathe in, breathe out” (Inspira, espira). El vídeo muestra su interpretación de cómo se vería un 911 inhalando y exhalando. Conocido ya por sus excéntricas representaciones de la vida cotidiana, y con un guiño característico al mirar de reojo a la sociedad de consumo, el estilo desfigurado que se muestra aquí es un ejemplo del inimitable sello de Wurm.

911 Carrera 996 por Biggibilla

Pintado a mano, en 1998, en la sala de exposiciones del Centro Porsche de Melbourne por el artista indígena australiano Graham J Rennie (conocido como Biggibilla), este 911 Carrera (996) se expone ahora con orgullo y de forma permanente en el Museo Porsche de Stuttgart (Alemania). Si visita el palacio de la historia de Porsche podrá contemplar este mural sobre ruedas, con su inquietante evocación del arte de los antiguos.

Cuando se trata de coches artísticos, esta lista demuestra que nunca se tiene demasiado de algo bueno. Como el trabajo de los artistas y diseñadores que quieren reinventar la norma y sublimar lo inusual. Aquí está el pasado, el presente y el futuro de los coches artísticos de Porsche que inspiran y alimentan el fuego de la pasión en el mundo del arte y la automoción.

23 November, 2021/by Carlos

ARTE, COLECCIONISMO, Dibujo, Diseño, Escultura, Especial, EVENTOS, Exposiciones, Exposiciones, Fotógrafo, MyEvents, VENTA

FIAC, Feria Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo

from 21 October 2021 to 24 October 2021

Durante varios días al año, París se convierte en la capital mundial del arte contemporáneo con la FIAC, la Feria Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo. Verdadera institución reconocida a nivel mundial, la FIAC es una oportunidad para que el público descubra los últimos avances en el arte contemporáneo, a través de obras de algunos de los artistas más famosos del mundo.

En total, unos 1.500 artistas muestran su obra para que los 75.000 espectadores la vean en los pasillos del Grand Palais Ephémère, los Jardines de las Tullerías, el Musée Eugène Delacroix y la Place Vendôme.

La FIAC es también la ocasión para que un artista residente en Francia, o de origen francés, sea galardonado con el prestigioso Premio Marcel Duchamp, que le otorga un reconocimiento internacional. Como todas las ferias, la FIAC es también un mercado donde las obras de arte cambian de manos y los profesionales se encuentran. Cada año, se especula mucho en la prensa sobre el precio de diversas obras de arte, lo que contribuye a establecer la legitimidad de los artistas.

Sitio web del evento

Audiencia

Todo publico

PRECIOS Y HORARIOS
Precios y horarios

Jueves 21 y viernes 22 de octubre de 12h a 20h; Sábado 23 y domingo 24 de octubre de 12 a 19 h.

40 €. Tarifa reducida: 27 €

LUGAR
Tout París
La capital es el escenario cada año para la organización de grandes eventos culturales, deportivos y festivos … Así parisinos, franceses y turistas se encuentran en los muelles de París para Paris Plages, Nuit Blanche, el Maratón de París, el torneo Roland Garros Grand Slam , el Tour de Francia, los fuegos artificiales del 14 de julio en el Trocadero, la Marcha del Orgullo LGBT, el Techno Parade … ¡Una programación variada durante todo el año!

25 October, 2021/by Maria G

Accesorios y Complementos, BEAUTY, Complementos, Diadèmes, ESTILO DE VIDA, Joyas, JOYERÍA, Joyería, WEDDING

CHAUMET – THE ART OF CREATING A TIARA

Chaumet, which has made over 2,000 tiaras since 1780 for monarchies and aristocratic families, is constantly reinventing this head jewellery. In the art of the tiara, it all begins with a drawing.

Romanticism, Naturalism, Belle Époque and Art Déco styles have influenced Chaumet’s creations, as demonstrated by the 400,000 archive drawings held by the Maison. Fashion and contemporary collections are sources of inspiration for creating a unique piece of jewellery.

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The Salon des Diadèmes

The “Salon des Diadèmes”, showcase of Chaumet’s historic collections Chaumet’s historic collections decorate the walls of the Salon des Diadèmes, where hundreds of “maillechorts” illustrate Chaumet’s prestigious past.

The heritage of Chaumet is exceptional within the history of jewellery: several hundred thousand gouaches and drawings made by winners of the “Grand Prix de Rome”, almost 300,000 photographic prints, 35,000 glass plates, account books and correspondence.

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A unique and traditional craftsmanship

Making a tiara requires a special technique: a volume model in nickel silver with which the jeweller adjusts the design to the shape of the head and to the way it will be worn. Chaumet conserves around 700 nickel silver tiara models in its museum, all of which bear witness to the history of the Maison’s creative expertise.

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Tiaras and special orders

Today, a special order or unique item requires 500 to 1,500 hours of work, representing a timeframe of 2 to 6 months. Each tiara undergoes many different steps: shaping, dismantling, preparation of the setting, polishing, re-cutting diamonds, setting, applying hallmarks, Chaumet engraving, final assembly and final finishing.

This exclusive expertise belongs to the Chaumet High Jewellery workshop, located 12 place Vendôme.

21 August, 2021/by Carlos

Gadgets, RELOJES, Relojes de Hombre, Relojes de Mujer, Relojes Edición Limitada

Vacheron Constantin – Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers: a new window on the world and on history, opened by talented Master artisans

A series of three ten-piece limited editions, paying homage to the Portuguese sailors Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral.
Miniature masterpieces, with Grand Feu enamel dials inspired by a map from the 1519 Miller Atlas, of which a reproduction is kept in the Portuguese Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha – Lisbon).
The Manufacture 1120 AT movement powering an off-centre display of the hours and minutes, leaving ample space to express the Maison’s artistic crafts.

Geneva, 2021 – They evoke a time when the world had yet to be discovered. They retrace the famous epic journeys of the great 15^th century explorers who braved the seas and oceans to discover distant horizons. Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral: Vacheron Constantin celebrates their spirit of adventure through a new series of three ten-piece limited editions, the Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers. Crafted in Grand Feu enamel, each dial depicts selected portions of a 1519 map from the Miller Atlas. These three masterpieces of miniaturisation and expertise are driven by the Manufacture 1120 AT movement. These new models, presented at Watches & Wonders 2021, are part of the theme of the Maison for 2021 : entitled Classic with a Twist, it highlights Vacheron Constantin’s creative energy, guided by an identity that celebrates a heritage and dares to deliver the unexpected.

The spirit of travel, exploration and discovery of arts and cultures is an integral part of Vacheron Constantin’s history. A history rooted in the origins of the Manufacture, in an age when François Constantin did not hesitate to travel the world to open new markets and to fly the banner of the Maison high and wide, wherever possible. This openness to the world still pervades the philosophy of the Manufacture, which symbolically celebrates the spirit of adventure through a new journey – on this occasion a voyage through time – in memory of the great 15^th century Portuguese explorers.

With this third opus in the Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers collection, which completes two series presented in 2004 and 2008, Vacheron Constantin ventures into one of history’s most exhilarating chapters. In the wake of models dedicated to Magellan, Zheng Hé, Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, which proved a great success with collectors, comes the turn of Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral to be honoured through extraordinary miniature compositions enhanced by talented master artisans. They bear witness to the noble touch and impressive creativity of the enamellers whose mastery of Grand Feu enamel once again broadens the horizons of the Métiers d’Art collection. A rare skill extending an invitation to travel while firing the imagination.

Masterful miniature Grand Feu enamel expressions of patience and meticulous care
Inspired by a map from the 1519 Miller Atlas, of which a painted reproduction is kept in the Portuguese Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha – Lisbon), each dial shows a part of the world and the maritime routes respectively taken by the three explorers. In order to replicate the finely nuanced colours and the extreme delicacy of the motifs, the Maison opted for the art of enamelling. The result is three dials in Grand Feu enamel, masterpieces of patience and precision that require a full month’s work and 11 firings in the kiln at a temperature of between 800 and 900°C. These are all stages in which mastering fire proves crucial, since a few seconds too many can jeopardise several weeks of work.

The art of enamelling is a rare skill, a subtle blend of experience and sensitivity demonstrated in each move made by the artisan. Composed of crystal and metal oxides, enamels come in the form of small blocks of colour that the enameller first crushes into an extremely fine powder. The latter is then worked to create a substance similar to paint, which is applied in successive touches, enabling the enameller to represent motifs with incredible finesse and nuance. After coating the dial with the background colour, the enameller tackles the dial motifs, starting with the outlines of the continents, which are here enhanced with gold-coloured enamel powder. The decorative elements of this elegant composition – including the ships, fauna, flora and wind rose – are also produced using the delicate technique of miniature painting, thus serving to reproduce a host of details and subtly graded shades, obtained after numerous tests by the enameller. Each addition of colour requires another firing, since enamel is a mineral material that must be melted down in order to display its famous brilliance and intense depth.

Calibre 1120 AT with satellite hours
So as to give free rein to the enameller’s expertise, the three Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers models are powered by in-house Calibre 1120 AT. This movement is distinguished first and foremost by its 5.45 mm thinness enabling the 41 mm-diameter 4N pink gold case to maintain a trim 11.68 mm overall thickness guaranteeing an elegant appearance on the wrist.

The mechanism is also distinguished by its singular construction and its original time display mode enabling the wearer to travel visually through the dial as the hours pass by. Concealed beneath the upper part of the dial, the hours wheel is equipped with three arms each bearing four hours numerals, driven in turn by a cam shaped like the Manufacture’s Maltese cross inspired emblem. This ingenious satellite module enables the hours to sweep across the dial from top to bottom, traversing the fixed minutes circle positioned along a 120° arc. The hours numerals thus travel through the dial and their position gives an indication of the minutes replacing a traditional hand-type display.

Revealed through the transparent caseback, the movement decorations – notably including the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight adorned with a wind rose – are entirely worthy of its technical nature.

Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers –Bartolomeu Dias
If his crews had not convinced him to give up on continuing the journey beyond the southern tip of Africa, perhaps Bartolomeu Dias (1450 – 1500) would have been the first to reach the Indies. The illustrious Portuguese explorer made history in a different way, by discovering the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, paving the way for future expeditions. Bartolomeu Dias was also a member of the crew of Vasco da Gama, who led his fleet to Indies between 1497 and 1498.

The route taken by Bartolomeu Dias’ ships in 1488 is represented by a red line on the Grand Feu enamel dial, enhanced by numerous incredibly refined details. With the help of a magnifying glass, a close look will reveal the silhouette of the men composing the explorer’s crew on board the two ships sailing west of Africa; or the palette of shades used by the enameller to precisely reproduce the landscapes, fauna and flora as they are represented on the map of the Miller Atlas.

Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers – Vasco da Gama
The long journey that took him from Portugal to the coasts of India was one of the most important 15^th century discoveries. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama (1469 –1524), who left his native country in 1497, was the first to travel from Europe and Asia by sea, following an epic and often hellish journey across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. After circumnavigating the southern tip of Africa, his fleet of four ships sailed along the coast as far as Kenya before embarking on a crossing towards the Indies, which he reached in 1498.

The sea route taken by its crew is finely traced in red enamel on the dial, each detail of which is a very faithful reproduction of the map appearing in the Miller Atlas. The gaze will naturally be drawn to a ship from Vasco da Gama’s fleet in the dial centre, sails billowing on a stormy sea; or to the circumference of the wind rose and the continents enhanced with gold-coloured enamel powder.

Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers – Pedro Álvares Cabral
It is to this Portuguese aristocrat and explorer that we owe the discovery of Brazil in 1500. Pedro Álvares Cabral (1467 – 1520) was commissioned by King Manuel I of Portugal to travel to the Indies to continue the work of Vasco da Gama, but he took a very different route from his contemporary. Rather than sailing along the African coast to the southern tip of Africa, the fleet led by Pedro Álvares Cabral headed west, until they discovered a new world, Brazil.

This route is depicted by a red enamel line standing out against a beige enamel background punctuated by extremely faithful representations of the elements present on the map of the Miller Atlas. In the centre of the dial, a ship from Pedro Álvares Cabral’s fleet, sails buffeted by the wind, proudly cleaves the sea in an extraordinarily lifelike manner. The accuracy of the craftsmanship is also expressed in the shimmering feathers of the birds as well as in the depiction of human figures on the South American continent.

Classic with a Twist

Vacheron Constantin’s creativity has always remained closely attuned to its time while evoking its memories. This byword for elegance, adopted by each watchmaker, artisan and designer throughout the years and centuries, celebrates heritage and dares to explore the unexpected. Poised at the intersection between technical virtuosity and aesthetic refinement, the enduring allure of Vacheron Constantin timepieces makes its way unscathed through passing eras. Because timelessness cannot be achieved merely by complying with the canons of traditional watchmaking, each creation is tinged with a touch of boldness revealed in the smallest details. Special displays, offset indications, specific chamfering of all components, hand-crafted finishing and the complexity of a mechanism are just a few examples of this expertise. The result is a very personal field of expression where technique and style converge in a subtle harmony between the conventional and the atypical.

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Sum-up

Vacheron Constantin explores an exhilarating page of history with the Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers’ collection, available in a series of three ten-piece limited editions. In the wake of Magellan, Zheng Hé, Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, to whom the Manufacture had already paid tribute in 2004 and 2008, comes the turn of Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral to be honoured through extraordinary compositions enhanced by talented master artisans. To celebrate the discoveries made by these three 15^th century Portuguese navigators, the Maison has opted for Grand Feu enamel and the technique of miniature painting. Masterpieces of patience and meticulous care, each of the three dials represents part of a map from the 1519 Miller Atlas, of which a reproduction is kept in Portuguese Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha – Lisbon). These extraordinarily precise compositions are framed by a slim 18K 4N pink gold case measuring 41 mm in diameter. In order to provide abundant expressive scope for the enameller, these models beat to the rhythm of the 1120 AT self-winding movement, driving an off-centre time display thanks to a satellite hours module.

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TECHNICAL DATA

Métiers d’Art Tribute to great explorers

Reference
7500U/000R-B687: Bartolomeu Dias
7500U/000R-B688: Vasco da Gama
7500U/000R-B689: Pedro Álvares Cabral

Calibre
1120 AT
Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
22K gold oscillating weight with tapisserie decor
32.80 mm (12 ½ ‘’’ diameter), 5.45 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
2.75 Hz (19,800 vibrations per hour)
205 components
36 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece

Indications
Dragging hours, minutes

Case
18K 4N pink gold
41mm diameter, 11.68 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)

Dial
18K gold, two-level dial, Grand Feu enamel
Enamelled hour-markers

Strap
Blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales

Clasp
18K 4N pink gold folding clasp
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Limited series of ten timepieces per reference.
Models available exclusively through the Vacheron Constantin Boutiques.

23 May, 2021/by Maria G

Complementos, RELOJES, Relojes Automáticos, Relojes de Hombre, Relojes de Mujer, Relojes Edición Limitada, WEDDING

CHOPARD – L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen

L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen

Swiss Haute Horlogerie meets Chinese zodiac tradition

Steeped in the aesthetic codes of Chinese culture, the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen is the first L.U.C timepiece to display the traditional Chinese timekeeping system, Shí Chen. The animals of the zodiac that symbolises them parade slowly by on an Urushi lacquer disc, accompanied by the symbol of prosperity and its god Lu Xing. This creative new complication exists as an 88-piece limited edition. Its L.U.C 96.29-L Chopard Manufacture movement is housed in a 40 mm ethical 18-carat rose gold case of peerless symbolic and physical finesse.

Carved from a block of ethical 18-carat rose gold, the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen is a talisman timepiece, an allegory of beliefs related to the Chinese zodiac and luck. It represents the first time that an Haute Horlogerie watch displays Shí Chen, the traditional Chinese time system, as a complication. It consists of twelve two-hour units, each one represented by an animal from the zodiac cycle. The day thus begins at 11pm with the hour of the Rat and ends with the hour of the Pig, while noon is in the middle of the hour of the Horse.

chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen

The Chinese zodiac bestiary enhanced by the art of Urushi

The procession of 12 animals slowly parades through a large aperture at 12 o’clock, enabling a dual time read-off: one traditional and the other based on the international system. This succession of zodiac signs also underlines the creativity and mastery of the Chopard Manufacture artisans. In addition, the dial and Shí Chen disc of this timepiece are made of Japanese lacquer. Faithful to Asian traditions, Chopard has worked right from the start with the finest Japanese lacquer artisans, who craft dials using the traditional Urushi lacquer technique.

The 88 dials of the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen are produced by the workshops of the century-old Yamada Heiando company and crafted by Master lacquer specialist Minori Koizumi. In accordance with the distinctive Maki-e technique, gold flakes sprinkled between the layers of lacquer illuminate the 40 mm ethical 18-carat rose gold case from within.

A creation placed under the protection of the god of prosperity

At the centre of the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen dial is the golden, embossed emblem of the god Lu Ying, who is one of the three deities – together with Fu Xing and Shou Xing – respectively dedicated to prosperity, happiness and longevity, symbolically summing up the characteristics of a full life. This star of prosperity also refers to fame and influence and is an omnipresent sign in Chinese culture, where auspices, symbols and representations playing on the nature of ideograms are essential.

A timepiece endowed with great technical refinement

To equip the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen, Chopard has created the L.U.C 96.29-L calibre, an exclusive variation of the 96 family, featuring a disc that completes a full rotation in 24 hours. This mechanical movement with automatic winding is just 3.97 mm thick thanks to its micro-rotor, a small oscillating weight neatly integrated into the calibre. Made of ethical 22-carat gold, it boasts high inertia enabling it to wind the two barrels efficiently. The latter are stacked in accordance with Chopard Twin Technology and are capable of storing the energy necessary for the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen to offer a total 65-hour power reserve. Once off the wrist, it will remain on time and accurate for more than two and a half days, the duration of a long weekend.

chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen

Chopard’s in-house approach to Haute Horlogerie

Chopard is a family Maison with a strongly ingrained philosophy of independence. The manufacturing stages of L.U.C. timepieces are carried out in-house at its production sites in Geneva and Fleurier.

Movement development, finished product design, gold casting, stamping and cases machining, movement parts and bracelets, as well as traditional handcrafted finishes, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: such is the comprehensive range of watch production operations fully mastered by Chopard and involved in the making of each creation in the L.U.C collection.

The result of meticulous craftsmanship, Chopard’s exceptional L.U.C timepieces meet the aspirations of today’s gentleman, speaking to him without the slightest artifice or pretention, and unequivocally conveying an ideal blend of artisanal skill and emotions.

Technical details

L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen

88-piece limited edition in ethical 18-carat rose gold

Case:

Ethical 18-carat rose gold

Total diameter: 40,00 mm

Thickness: 8.28 mm

Water resistance 30 metres

18-carat ethical rose gold crown with L.U.C logo 5.00 mm

Vertical satin-brushed sides and inter-horn space

Polished bezel and case-back

Glare-proofed sapphire crystal

Exhibition case-back

Movement:

Mechanical with automatic winding L.U.C 96.29-L

Winding via a micro-rotor in ethical 22-carat gold

Total diameter: 34.20 mm

Thickness: 3,97 mm

Number of jewels: 29

Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)

Power reserve: 65 hours

Disc rotating in 24 hours, representing the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac

Twin stacked barrels, based on Chopard Twin Technology

Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif

Dial and hands:

Dial hand-crafted in Japan using the Urushi lacquer technique with shimmering decoration for the main dial and the twelve signs of the Zodiac on the lower rotating disc

Central symbol of prosperity motif in ethical 18-carat rose gold

Dauphine-type hours and minutes hands in ethical 18-carat rose gold

Indexes and Arabic numerals in ethical 18-carat rose gold

Functions and displays:

Central display of the hours and minutes

Bracelet and buckle:

Black hand-sewn alligator strap with brown alligator leather lining

Polished and satin-brushed ethical 18-carat rose gold pin buckle

Ref. 161980-5001 – in ethical 18-carat rose gold with special Spirit of Shí Chen dial

88-piece limited edition

16 January, 2021/by Carlos

ARQUITECTURA

UDESIGN – Architecture and Interior Design – Villa Alcuzcuz

UDESIGN | Architecture and Interior Design

Villa Alcuzcuz – Interview with Jason Harris

UD Magazine sat down with Jason Harris, Creative Director of both UDesign and Bright, to talk about architecture and design, winning awards and how he ended up where he is today.

At the European Property Awards UDesign picked up the 5-star prize for Spain, winning Best Architecture Single Residence, Spain. They then went on to win Best in Europe in the same category at the finals of the 2019 International Property Awards.

How important is this award for you?

We don’t design to win awards. We design because it’s what we do. The award is a vindication of what we have already done, a confirmation, if one were needed, that we have done it right. In that sense, it’s very important for us.

Above: UDesign wins major architecture awards for the design of Villa Alcuzcuz

How did you get into architecture and interior design?

More accident than plan. When my wife and I bought an apartment, it had an upstairs space that wasn’t properly integrated with the rest of the apartment. So we designed it into a master bedroom suite and it quickly became a sort of showroom for the neighbours, who wanted something similar. It was all done sporadically. Before we knew it, I had a dozen clients all wanting us to design their various projects. We rented a small studio to make furniture, and it escalated from there. Our first employees were carpenters, not interior designers, so we started designing the furniture we couldn’t find anywhere else. Later we realised that rooms were not quite how we wanted them, so we started designing our own rooms, and then villas for those rooms.

Can good design be summed up in a single sentence?

Yes, but the complexity of good design may require various single sentences: Good design should make you feel good / A good designer creates spaces that provoke emotion / The most important ingredient in good design is natural light. And so on…

Above: View from the Family TV room across the terrace towards the Formal Lounge

What do you think of Spain’s most famous architect, Santiago Calatrava?

Well, my passion is interiors. I like to look at the insides of buildings, in volumes of space, light, and how it affects space, and his Oculus building in the World Trade Centre station is very impressive in this respect. From the outside it’s a piece of great sculpture sitting in the middle of all those skyscrapers, isn’t it?

What do these awards mean for the entire architecture and design sector on the Costa del Sol?

You know that in Spain, unlike Britain or Ireland, a bar or restaurant increases in value if located close to other good bars and restaurants, because quality attracts quality. The same has happened here on the Costa del Sol with regard to architecture and design, especially in the Marbella area, and this win of ours has added to the upward spiral of excellence. A high degree of competition has been created, and with that the level of quality and design keeps increasing.

So Marbella really is special?

Yes, it certainly is. It’s the place to be if you want to design and build high end luxury villas. You would think that places like Los Angeles or Beverly Hills could rival Marbella, but they actually don’t. There are, of course, some of the most expensive properties in the world in these other areas, but there isn’t enough land there to build luxury villas in volume, while the mountains of Ronda and Benahavís still have plenty of available plots with breathtaking views. Now is a great time to be developing new projects here.

Above: This magnificent terrace manages to cleverly contain five distinct areas: the sunbathing area, the fire pit with comfy sofas, the TV room terrace, the kitchen and dining room terrace, and the formal lounge terrace

With each new project you have to let go and start all over again. How do you manage?

Design and architecture doesn’t feel like work for me. We try to attract clients so that we can continue to design, rather than design to attract clients. It’s all about new ideas and improving on quality and creativity. I almost never go to see my finished projects, because I only see all the things that could be better and get frustrated. We go to design and architectural fairs to see something new and I think to myself: “This is an idea. I can integrate an improved version of this into my next project.” It’s a never-ending process, and that’s what keeps it exciting.

What’s next for Bright?

Believe it or not, the other day I was thinking even bigger than a single development. I got thinking about a whole community with hotel, shops, bars, restaurants, golf course and everything else, all developed by Bright. Who knows what the future holds?

25 December, 2020/by Carlos

ARQUITECTURA, Decoración, Interiorismo

Modern Art Inspiration For You! Enhancing Fauna Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Present in fashion, furniture design, jewelry, these not so tiny creatures are a major inspiration to designers when creating their contemporary design pieces. Bugs might often be associated with disgusting creatures, but in the modern art world, they have a strong impact that makes our eyes flutter!

Alexander McQueen

Diamond Metamorphosis

Due to its strongly appealing jewel tones, this is a merge of art and design, where designers take inspiration from fauna and apply it to the modern art world that we live in.

Versace

Gucci

Metamorphosis Console

Alexander McQueen

Convex Mirror Metamorphosis

For many years, insects have had a huge impact when it comes to fashion design and modern art. On bags, jewelry, and everyday clothes, these are certainly some statement contemporary design.

Louis Vuitton

Chanel

20 June, 2020/by Ines Rodrigues

Tag Archive for: Art