April 8, 2012

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden

On my last visit to New York, I was able to carve out an hour or so to sneak over to MOMA to see the jaw dropping Cindy Sherman show (more on that to come). When I was finished and needed to digest the range and intensity of what I had just seen, I slipped out to the sculpture garden. When I lived in New York, I spent many, many hours in the garden’s previous incarnation so was curious if the new version would stand up. I am thrilled to say that even on a brisk day with the trees denuded of their foliage, the garden was thrilling. Every element is considered from the placement of the magnificent sculptures, to the selection of the trees, to the architectural details. I forgot how much sculture, especially twentieth century sculpture, moves me. I love how evocative each piece is and that you can touch and feel the work. I dare you to remain unmoved:

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December 2, 2011

Collaboration, West Elm Style

I have long been a fan of West Elm’s modern, organic, slightly boho aesthetic and love to sneak their pieces into projects with both high and low budgets. That said, like most big box stores, it is sometimes hard to get past the mass-produced look and feel of their stuff. Clearly, they were hip to this thorn in their side because they have begun collaborating with all kinds of artistic, creative people and the resulting vibe is one that is fresh, collected, personal and modern. All things that I strive for in my projects. Take a look at some of the collaborators and see if you don’t agree.

Let’s begin with the artists. First up is Scott Lifshutz. I love these prints of his delicate watercolors of feathers:

And I would happily fold one or two of Lourdes Sanchez’s studies for textile designs into a gallery hang: Read the rest of this post »

September 7, 2011

Willem de Kooning

Labor Day is behind us and I must confess that though I thoroughly enjoyed the long, sunny months of summer, I am excited for the fall to begin. Autumn is the time to put the lazy days behind us and get back to school, as it were. The fall is always chock-a-block full of inspiring new theatre and art shows and none is more exciting to me this season than the forthcoming restrospective of the works of Willem de Kooning at the MoMA. I am fortunate to have a few jobs in New York right now so will be a little more bi-coastal than usual and this show (opening September 19th) will be one of my first stops in the Big Apple.

I promise a full report from the show for those of you who can’t make it yourselves but in the meantime, I thought you might like a glimpse into the home of the artist himself. More studio than anything else, de Kooning designed his East Hampton house with soaring ceilings and ample sunlight. I don’t know if the house still exists in this incarnation since both Willem and his wife, Elaine have both passed away. I’d like to think that some appreciative patron of the arts bought it and kept is as is but with the property values in the Hamptons, I may be dreaming. Check out the interesting 1982 article from Architectural Digest for more and enjoy!

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