visionofsplendor - Vision Of Splendor
Vision Of Splendor

181 posts

Latest Posts by visionofsplendor - Page 2

9 years ago

Chocolate Layers

visionofsplendor - Vision Of Splendor
9 years ago
Photo By victor Liu.

Photo by victor Liu.

9 years ago
Ystudio.

ystudio.

11 years ago

NEW SITE FOR VISION OF SPLENDOR

NEW SITE FOR VISION OF SPLENDOR

Photo by Vision of Splendor Miami January 2014

Vision of Splendor has a new site! 

Will keep this tumblr site but content will change in the future, but for upgraded version go to the new site below. 

Follow me there xo

www.visionofsplendor.com


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11 years ago

FAREWELL PETER O'TOOLE

2ND AUGUST 1932- 14TH DECEMBER 2013

"No one should ever know where conduct ends and acting begins," he confides. "Conduct unbecoming. That's what acting is. It's people doing it, not for themselves, but for the audience. That's the magic, baby. That's what matters. That's what an audience remembers." PETER O'TOOLE

Thank you for the magic! 

Wonderful interview by Sarah Standing

www.gq-magazine.co.uk


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11 years ago

Mirror Mirror in the Desert

Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert
Mirror Mirror In The Desert

“Lucid Stead is about tapping into the quiet and the pace of change of the desert. When you slow down and align yourself with the desert, the project begins to unfold before you. It reveals that it is about light and shadow, reflected light, projected light, and change.”

Take  a Desert, a Shack, some mirror, Led lights and the vision of a young man named Phillip K Smith III , put them together and voila you have this wonderful imaginative but yet so simple installation. it just fits perfectly with its location that you think that it should have always been there. 

Over the course of the day the Lucid Stead metamorphoses into different visions, the sharp and shiny mirror bands reflect back the shapeshifting landscape, one minute the mirror image is picture perfect and then slowly with the moving sun it starts to soften its mirror image and starts to glow within as the very clever use of LED lights come alive in its changing colours.  

Very well executed Mr. Smith, I so wanted to see this , as millions of others this has been posted all over the world!! I had to share too, its just too damn beautiful! I want one ! 

I wonder what the animals in the desert thought of this! 

For more info on the Phillip K Smith III see below, and for Miami Basel his work will be featured in Untitled Fair from today. Also the great photography are by Steven King and Lance Gerber all courtesy of Royal Projects in Palm Desert California. 

http://pks3.com

http://royaleprojects.com/


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11 years ago

LONDON CULTURE NOV 2013 Klee & The Chinese Masters

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Qui Ying ,Saying Farewell at Xunyang (Detail) Early 16th Century. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art Kansas City

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Gaze of Silence Paul Klee 1932

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Possibly Emperor Huizong, Auspicious Cranes  1112. Liaoning Provincial Museum

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Comedy Paul Klee 1921

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Attributed to Shi Ke, Two Chan Patriarchs Harmonising their Minds . 13th Century .

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Chen Rong Nine Dragons (detail) 1244

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Historical Site Paul Klee 1927

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Yuan Jiang The Palace of Nine Perfections (detail) 1691

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A Young Lady's Adventure Paul Klee 1922

This is my choice of London current important  exhibitions.

Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings from 700-1900 at the V & A. An incredible assimilation of rare art works from collections around the world. Categorized in different eras ans styles.  Objects of Devotion 700-950, The Quest for Reality 950-1250, Embracing Solitude 1250-1400, The pursuit of happiness 1400-1600, Challenging the Past and Looking to The West 1600-1900. The other part is that the exhibition is accompanied by the wonderful lectures and workshops not to be missed, Digital Dragons, Dim Sum Demonstration, Painting of The Mongol Dynasty in China and events for the whole family . Lastly there is a 14 day Imperial Jewels of China Cruise to be won and other prizes.. run to the V&A now. 

Down by the River at The Tate Modern  The Ey Exhibition: Paul Klee Making Visible, The "God" of Bauhaus . Abstract, geometric , organic. A magical man who was at one with cosmos as he was grounded in Life. He influenced so many other artist such as Rothko. 

"He used to gaze for a long time at his prepared canvas before he began the drawing… I have never seen a man who had such creative quiet. It radiated from him as from the sun. His face was that of a man who knows about day and night, sky and sea and air. He did not speak about these things. He had no tongue to tell of them. Our language is too little to say these things… Klee, when beginning a picture, had the excitement of a Columbus moving to the discovery of a new continent. He had a frightened presentiment, just a vague sense of the right course… Klee set out to discover a new land." Jankel Adler on Paul Klee .

One of my favourite artists of all time Swiss Paul Klee's  work is so refreshingly Modern but has the depth of another era that to me has not been seen in our Modern times of today. 

"I cannot be grasped in the here and now  For I live just as well with the dead  As with the unborn  Somewhat closer to the heart  Of creation than usual  But far from close enough."

Paul Klee own words on his tombstone. 

Enjoy. 

Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings At The V&A

26th October 2013 - 9th of January 2014

Corresponding  Workshops & Lectures 

Paul Klee at The Tate Modern

16th of October 2013- 9th of March 2014


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11 years ago

NIGHTVISION by Luke Shepard

BEAUTIFUL ALERT! Showing the diversity of Europe this film must be watched on your desktop on fullscreen!

The website has the list of the monuments and the technical stuff. 

www.lshep.com


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11 years ago

LI CHEN THE SOUL GUARDIAN

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AERIEL PAGODA I

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AERIAL PAGODA II

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FIREMASTER

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THE THREE BODIES OF BUDDHA

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THE PURSUER

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CLEAR SOUL

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SNOW WONDERLAND

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SOUL GUARDIAN

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THE GENUINE STATE

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LANDSCAPE IN HEAVEN

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GOLDEN PALM

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ELEVATION

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LORD OF WIND

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OFFERING

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SOARING DRAGON

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CAUSAL (soul)

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THE ILLUMINATOR

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THE ILLUMINATOR CLOSE UP

  "Behind the Beacon is a ceremonial process; its essence lies in “Yinze”—the full or diminishing glory of the sun and the moon. (Li Chen)

One morning I received a call from a dear friend of mine whose taste and creativity I greatly admire, she recounted to me her trip in Paris and all the wonderful art she had seen but especially wanted to share with me in detail something she knew I would love. Buddha statues like she had never seen, her description immediately resonated with me and the googlelista that I am I fell on Buddhas Big Lap. It was love at first sight for me too, Splendid Buddha, big and round like a baby, strong yet soft, heavy yet light,  almost as if Botero and Buddha had baby via Artist Taiwanese Li Chens mind. 

Li Chen's  Spiritual Invocations come from his deep knowledge and experience in Taoist, Buddhist and Classic Chinese Traditions but most of all from his connection to his soul. That is what make these sculptures be different from the rest, they glimmer within. 

Now how can I invoke one of his sculpture in my house?! 

*When night light Glimmers : The Beacon*

In this Series:

The Pursuer, Illuminator, Angelic Smile, Fire Master, The Pavilion, Aerial Pagoda & Soaring Dragon.

"One evening in 2009, Li Chen returned from a busy day at work to his home. He lit a long unused candles on the family Buddhist altar and enjoyed the warmth of the silence, and the experience brought back memories of one of his earlier drawings titled “Illuminator.” This event was the spiritual beginnings of the artist’s current series of work. For the “The Beacon” Series, Li Chen completed just eight pieces in total. For Li lighting the lamp constitutes an act of “recuperation” and brings with it a certain ritualistic joy. Through the interaction of humanity and fire the burning of materials not only changes the environment, but a certain romantic sentimentality dances in the candlelight. As a result, ones state of mind becomes becalmed, providing an opportunity for one to communicate with oneself. “The Beacon” is far richer and more diverse than any of Li’s earlier work. It also marks the first time the artist has sculpted the human form, deliberately showcasing the characteristic of the Asian physical form. This work makes the connection between people and such high places as towers, pavilions, heavenly fire, containing objects that appear distant, but can be compared with Chinese literati’s slow wander.

  "The meaning of the Pursuer’s candle light can be decided by people’s different definition and thought for life. A white cloud twirling around the waist of the figure is evocative of a dream-like illusion, triggering the imagination and lending a surprising touch of humor to the otherwise thought-provoking theme. Such is the wondrous creativity of Li Chen." (Thomas Lee, President of Asia Art Center)

 ******* NEWS***************** ( Lucky Parisians )

LI CHEN EXHIBITION IN PLACE VENDOME PARIS 2 SEPTEMBER-29TH. 2013. 

   Li Chen has accomplished an artistic style that incorporates Eastern philosophy of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions with contemporary thought, evincing the idea of “Spirit of the East.” His sculptures will be showcased at the center of Paris surrounded by historical buildings. While such arrangement seems to emphasise the contrast between two different cultures, they are alike in terms of providing new possibilities and interpretations for our cumulative civilisation and wisdom in contemporary world. Facilitated by the speed of globalisation and technology nowadays, we can thus expect a profound intellectual dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures occurring at Place Vendome. 

  This exhibition is organised by notable non-profit organization—Global Art Center Foundation (GAC), and Asia Art Center, with full acknowledgement and support from the Vendôme Committee (Comité Vendôme), Ministry of Culture (Ministère de la Culture) and Paris City Council (Conseil municipal). After 18 months of deliberated planning by the curatorial team, which consists of international experts from Paris, Netherlands, Italy and Taipei, the team has successfully overcome various obstacles such as transportation, structural calculation, artwork placement, loading capacity, and weather conditions. in the hope to help Taiwanese artist break free from geographical boundary and to engage in the infinite possibilities of the world. 

  As the economy of the east begins to rise and attract global attentions, Li Chen’s artworks inspired by Eastern culture and traditions will surely bring to light a visual and spiritual feast in the world.

    SOURCES

www.lichensculpture.org

www.asie-antiquites.com

To see more like LI Chen see my previous piece on Dashi Namdakov 


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11 years ago

Happy Full Blue Moon in Aquarius August 20th 2013

MOONWALK

The ultimate full moon shot. Dean Potter walks a highline at Cathedral Peak as the sun sets and the moon rises. Shot from over 1 mile away with a Canon 800mm and 2X by Mikey Schaefer. This shot was part of a bigger project for National Geographic called The Man Who Can Fly. channel.nationalgeographic.com/videos/th­e-man-who-can-fly/ Directed by Mikey Schaefer...mikeylikesrocks.com Produced by Bryan Smith Concept by Dean Potter Music: Slate - By Wil Bolton From the Album: Time Lapse on Hibernate Recordings Licensed through: Audiomoves - audiomoves.com


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11 years ago

Stella Jean Has Got her Swim Groove On

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Stella Jean Has Got Her Swim Groove On
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Stella Jean Has Got Her Swim Groove On
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Stella Jean Has Got Her Swim Groove On
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Stella Jean Has Got Her Swim Groove On
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Stella Jean Has Got Her Swim Groove On
Stella Jean Has Got Her Swim Groove On

Love this woman my second post on her, Stella Jean you are too cool for school. Old world swimwear! 

 Giorgio Armani has  named her the next big thing and has invited Stella Jean to show her next collection at Teatro Armani. Bellissimo!  I totally agree with you Signor Armani she has got it. Moda Operandi is currently showing some of her pieces this week. Run to buy or see her site for more stockists.

Brava Stella x 

Previous post on Stella

visionofsplendor.tumblr.com/post/40676334538/carribbean-chic 

www.stellajean.it

www.modaoperandi.com


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11 years ago

NAMASTE

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     "Life is not measured by how many breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away. Maya Angelou"

  Beautiful pictures of the incredible power of yoga in our world, taken by Robert Sturman whose expansive photography shows us how Yoga heals people everywhere from our city streets to the depth of Africa to our prisons. I Just chose two examples out of hundreds named The Girl with the Ganesh Tattoo and Sunrise on The Sound. It brought me serenity straight away, and also got my ass to the yoga studio in a flash.I could picture this images in massive sizes in a yoga studio, how beautiful would that be! Come on someone do it.  

Love your work, 

To see more of Robert Sturman's photography here are the links

robertsturmanstudio.com

www.facebook.com/Artist.Photografia


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11 years ago

Farewell David Collins

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Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
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Farewell David Collins
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Farewell David Collins
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Farewell David Collins
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Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
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Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins
Farewell David Collins

David Collins  March 1st 1955-17th July 2013

Oh, then, soul most beautiful among all the creatures, so anxious to know the dwelling place of your Beloved that you may go in quest of Him and be united with Him, now we are telling you that you yourself are his dwelling... His secret chamber and hiding place. Saint John of the Cross

What sad news the loss of this wonderful and talented man, all my favourite places in London were done by him. Elegant, refined and old school understated glamour. Gone too soon, you leave a very big mark on everyone here in London , but as one of your friends put it, "Imagine how he will redesign heaven" Indeed we can imagine ... 

www.davidcollins.com


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11 years ago

HAPPY 4TH JULY

HAPPY 4TH JULY

THE OVAL OFFICE BY JON RAFMAN IN THE STYLE OF JASPER JOHNS.


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11 years ago

Tales From A Reading Room

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Transport yourself back in the days of the Nabateans on their Spice route or Marco Polo on the Silk Road. Here on both of these incredible roads is how traders, merchants, nomads and royals would move spices, silks, silver, incense to and from faraway lands . This is what Australian designer Camilla Franks collection Tales from A Reading Room makes me dream of the weaving of storytelling from all these journeys. Ancient mystical nomads on their caravans adorning themselves as they cross over foreign lands and cultures. 

Camilla Frank has captured it so well, the colours, the styling, the jewels , having grown up in Theatre herself she would transform her own costumes  to give life into them. Doing this manifested into  a whole line of Kaftans and from there she expanded into home ware, jewellery, accessories, children's line and more. A Modern Nomadic Merchant. 

Her online shop is full of merchandise but sadly they only deliver in Australia  and where she has a whole list of boutiques. For ther rest of the world there is stockist list on the site.

I want the whole package must be my multi cultural blood. xo

All images sourced via Camilla 


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11 years ago

A GEM in TANGIER

A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER
A GEM In TANGIER

Bruno Frisoni found a house in Tangier and did it up together with Herve  van der Straeten and it turned out divine and basically  thats all you need to know. 

Sourced via Vogue where there is the storyline written by Hamish Bowles and photographed by Francois Halard, mais bien sur. Now there is a melting pot of very talented gentlemen. 

Oh c'est beaux x


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11 years ago

TODAY IS VISION OF SPLENDOR'S 2ND BIRTHDAY! 

Enjoy the show. x


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11 years ago

Sebastiao Salgado talks with Benedikt Taschen about Genesis and his profoundly moving experiences of what he has witnessed on his journey through the lens.

  TASCHEN

INSTITUTO TERRA


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11 years ago

Visions of Sebastiao Salgado

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The Nomadic Nenets Yamal Peninsula Siberia 2011

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The Nomadic Nenets Crossing the Ob river to enter the Arctic Circle, Yamal Peninsula Siberia 2011

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The Nenets : What made us survive all these hundreds of thousands of years is our spirituality; our link to the land. 

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The Nomadic Nenets Family Yamal Peninsula Siberia 2011

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The Reindeer of the Nenets Yamal Peninsula Siberia 2011

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Oil Wells Greater Burhan Kuwait 1991

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Oil Wells Greater Burhan Kuwait 1991

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Oil Wells Greater Burhan Kuwait 1991

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Dinka Man covered in Ashes which sterilises the skin against insects and parasites Sudan 2006

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Okavango Delta, Botswana.

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Omo Valley Ethiopia 2007

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The Anavilhanas covering 1000sq km if Amaziona Rio Negro Brazil 

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Two Mursi women, Omo Valley Ethiopia 2007

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Yacare Caimans in the Patanal State of Mato Grosso Brazil 2011

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A Yali man in the Jayawijaya mountains of Irian Jaya, West Papua 2012

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The Mentawai Siberut Island Indonesia 2008

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Zo'e Tribeswomen, State of Para Brazil 2009

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Church Gate Station, Western Railroad Line, Bombay India

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Coal Mines Dhanbad Bihar India 1989

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Macaroni Penguins in Zavodovski Island, The Sandwich Islands 2009

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Miner Standing up for himself Serra Pelada Gold Mine Brazil 1986

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Figure Eight Serra Pelada Gold Mine Brazil 1986

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Ladder Serra Pelada Gold Mine Brazil 1986

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Arizona

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Upper Xingu Kamayuva Shamans Brazil 2005

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Namibia 2005

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The Mentawai Siberut Island Indonesia 2008

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Elephant Seal Calves on South Georgia, Barren Island on the South Atlantic 

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Sebastiao reading his Sumo size book Genesis by Taschen

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Genesis Exhibition at the London Natural History Museum 

  The look in the eyes of the Seals, the brutality of the life of the miners, the intoxicating beauty of our natural world The Patanal, The Okavongo Delta, the dunes of Namibia and the incredible lives of the tribes from Siberia to Java Indonesia that live the same way for thousands of years. God do I live in a bubble in London. 

These images just stir so many emotions in me, amazement, respect, sadness, anger, love but mostly awareness thanks to the courageous and humanitarian "photo-god" Sebastiao Salgado. 

The love and sensitivity this man has for this planet has been recorded in many photo essays and books ,some of the images I choose are from  "Workers"  on labour all over the world , "Migrations" on the displacement of people due to famine and war and now Sumo sized Genesis is "  My Love Letter to the Planet" a project that took Sebastiao into a journey of 9 years and over 30 journeys of trekking, canoeing, ballooning and travelling to the ends of the earth to visually connect us back into our planet, its tribes and its beauty that is still here.  

" We need to recover our instincts, to learn more about nature"

 " I wanted to give others the opportunity to see the nature of a pristine planet " 

I wish I could make these pictures bigger as you can only skim the surface of their power here. Luckily the Natural History Museum in London is showing a retrospective of Genesis until the 8th of September 2013. 

Otherwise you can get The Collectors Edition of the Sumo sized Genesis designed and edited by Salgados wife Lelia Wanick Salgado published by Taschen and also a custom made bookstand designed Legendary Japanese Architect Tadao Ando.  

There is more information on the websites below of other work and books. A lot to read and learn. 

Thank you for bringing us back the wonders of that still exists in our world. May they always be here for generations to come..

Genesis Exhibition at the London Natural History Museum

Amazonasimages

Taschen


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12 years ago

MUSICAL INTERMISSION

DAFT PUNK GET LUCKY Ft PHARRELL WILLIAMS (Live Performance )

Happy Summer feeling song, perfect for this Sunny Friday in London! Pharrell is feeling it too! 

Via www.theinspiration.com


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12 years ago

Farewell Baroness Thatcher

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Baroness Thatcher in 1974 by Terry O'Neill

October 13 1925 – 8 April 2013

"Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country." 1979, the year she became prime minister.


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12 years ago

SURFING ON ART

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Into the Waves, found via Pinterest.

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Border Lines in Collaboration with Stephen Bowers

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Trio Back

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Matthew McConaughey's Airstream via Architectual Digest Photo by Jim McHugh

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Paulownia Planing Hull in Collaboration with Gerry Wedd

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Paulownia Planing Hull Detail in Collaboration with Gerry Wedd

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California Surf Mobile via Pinterest

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Paisley in Collaboration with Quentin Gore

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Paisley Detail in Collaboration with Quentin Gore

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1969, LeRoy Grannis surfing Hermosa Beach . Photograph © LeRoy Grannis.  All rights reserved. via The Selvedge Yard

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Swastika 

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 Floral Fish, One True Religion & Gun 

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Vintage Surf Shop Via Tumblr

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Burnt Fish

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Burnt Fish Detail

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Paddle back to your boat and spot the little shark, sadly no credit. Found on Pinterest via Roxy Europe. 

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Finless Double Ender

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Finless Double Ender Detail

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1966 Iconic Documentary Surfing  film by Bruce Brown

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Smoker

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Antipodean Willow Mini Simmons in Collaboration with Stephen Bowers

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Magic Sunset Ride, makes me think of Dreamland. 

"Out of The Water, I am Nothing" Duke Kahanamoku

One day I was walking on the street and I saw poster with the most vibrant colours with silhouettes of  men carrying surf boards and written across were the words "The Endless Summer ". I have such a passion when it comes to anything to do with the water, beach or sun that  I got the poster to put on my bedroom wall at school and  then rented the film. I was mesmerised and that was how my love for surfing began. The very funny thing is I do not know how to surf ( I did a little windsurfing) but that does not matter to me, I love the culture of it, the life, being in tune with the ocean riding those waves. It is so beautiful to watch, my favourite place to go and take it all in used to be a spectacular beach in Bali called Dreamland,  as it was perfectly named by the surfers. Sadly this magnificent beach was destroyed by the Indonesian Government but that is another story.

Back to present day I stumbled across the most beautiful image of a surf  board. I was not sure if it was a board or a piece of art, but had to find out who made this beauty.

Walker Surfboards designed and handmade by Artist Peter Walker in Adelaide Australia. He began his impressive career at The Tasmanian School of Art and worked in his own studio in Tasmania for 14 years . Then moved  to Adelaide to head the Furniture Design Studio at the JamFactory Craft & Design Centre. In between and after he headed so many departments that I cant keep track, including 10 years as Associate Professor of Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design in the USA. The list is endless, obviously a very talented man. Combining his other real passion of surfing  with his artistic talents he produced this beautiful line of unique surfboards and collaborating on some with renowned artists Stephen Bowers,Quentin Gore and Gerry Wedd.

I love them, one day I will get one , need to find  a place to put it maybe its time to move to the beach or walk around London with one, now that would be a funny sight. 

I have included some links to articles about Peter and there is also more technical information, board designs & how to order on the site. You must buy one now! 

All Walker Boards Photographs by Grant Hancock, courtesy of Peter Walker,

Other images sadly were on the internet without credit.

Walker Surfboards

Further Reading ,

The Age Article 

Megadelux Article 


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12 years ago

Dreaming

Dreaming

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12 years ago

Midnight at The Oasis

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Sunrise on The Great Sand Sea

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Meet the Flintstones 21st Century

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Bedroom Adrere Amellal

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Siwi Man Photo by C. Stamba-Badial 

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Drinks by the Salt lake 

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This was were I stayed in Adrere Amellal view of the lake all around

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Drinks at the Fire pit 

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Temple Amon

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Adrere Amellal Bedroom

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Dunes of The Great Sand Sea

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Date Palms at Siwa

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One of the many lounging nooks in Adrere Amellal

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Locally  handmade Kaftans by the Siwi Women

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The natural spring pool at Adrere Amellal

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Illuminated "Kershef " Wall  a mix of rock salt & mud

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Dinning under the palms Adrere Amelall

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Sweet water oasis in the middle of the desert

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Riding the dunes in the Great Sand Sea

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Dinner in the middle of the desert

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Dusk at Adrere Amelall

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Magic dinning locations dotted around the property

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Candle lit bed time

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Sun setting over the dunes

“Oh that the desert were my dwelling place,

With only one fair spirit for my minster.

That I might forget the human race,

And hating no one, love her only.”

Lord Byron

In the  magical Great Sand Sea of Egypt's western Sahara on the boarder to Libya lies a diamond named Siwa. An Oasis filled with history and legends,such as the Temple  of the Oracle of Amun~ RA. Were Alexander The Great consulted the oracle in order to seek confirmation that he was the son of Zeus and the rightful ruler of Egypt. Or something like that.

I was invited  about 8 years ago to a wedding in Cairo by dear friends of mine. Included was a trip to Siwa a couple of days  before the wedding, staying at the amazing eco lodge Adrere Amellal. The love project of  visionary Dr Mounir Neamatalla a very elegant egyptian environmentalist. The words eco lodge dont always make me jump with joy, but a trip to the Egyptian desert I could not miss . 

When we arrived we all had a big smile on our faces as we took in the scene before us. The sacred white mountain towers over the property with views on  a vast salt lake , date palms  and in the distance the dunes of the great sand sea. Dotted around this setting are traditional buildings made by combining rock salt and mud called "Kershef", 40 rooms all furnished in locally artisanal furnishing, beds made out of palm with Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows. Bedouin carpets and beeswax candles everywhere  there is no electricity, no phones, no air conditioning or wifi.

Really a place to give in to the mystical call of the desert, at night they light up all the pathways with candles and dinner is served in the most amazing locations all over the property with the light of the stars as company. Date souffle served on silver plates and wine drank out of crystal glasses, the food was amazing, all the staff are local Siwi whose origins are Berber. On one night they came and played traditional Bedouin music , they danced like mad and so did we! When ready to retire, A member of staff would accompany you with a lantern to your room that glowed with candles, I would slip myself into the soft sheets with the breeze of the desert lulling me to sleep. 

Morning starts with a delicious breakfast over looking the lake and then preparation for a ride on 4 X 4 in to the Sand Sea so called because it was actually a sea, you can see fossils everywhere, as you ride over the dunes driven to mad perfection by the charming and hilarious locals its an exhilarating experience. They would stop and give you a board to surf the dunes if you wished or just sit and take in the unforgettable experience, everyday they planned a new surprise in the desert, which I would not give away as these surprises are truly special.

Once back at the lodge there are many more things to do, you can float on the lake or swim in the natural green pool under the palms, or for some you can go riding in the desert. There was also a trip into town to meet the local women whose embroidery is magnificent all supported by  Mounir Neamatalla and his also very elegant sister Laila, they produce kaftans, home furnishings and jewellery done by the local community. There is also a lot of history in the area and again I will not divulge too much here as to make you want to go and see for yourself but one of things is have swim in Cleopatra's Bath. 

 Thank you Dr Mounir for creating such a wonderful place and thank you my dear friends for letting be part of such an amazing journey. When are we going back?

  Adrere Amellal

Siwa

Photos via above websites & Flickr.


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12 years ago

Black Magic

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Anish Kapoor Void

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Plastic House Architecture Republic

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Source via Pinterest but no credit sadly, could be McQueen

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Mobile Xavier Veilhan

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Black Latex

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Cecil Touchon

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Artel Glass

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Jasper Conran 2009

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Ramatuelle Joseph Dirand

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Like a Gang of Virtue Henry Krokatsis

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Black Unicorn

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Elle Decor 

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Hyper Fast Cedric Ragot

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Vedas by Dustin Edward Arnold & Nicholas Alan Cope

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Jet Crystal 

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Tate Modern

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Pierre dal Corso

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Drop Asshoff & Brogard Design studio

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Two Two Six Hollywood Road Hong Kong

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Rick Owens Furniture

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Alek Wek by Max Cardelli

 Beautiful images with black as the uniting source. x


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12 years ago

  INTERMISSION

David Bowie is back, and cool as ever! My previous post I mentioned his Exhibition at the V&A  here is his first single since 10 years. 

David Bowie's The Stars (Are out Tonight)

Starring no other than Tilda Swinton, perfect casting. 


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12 years ago

London Culture Spring 2013

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  Am so looking forward to this Spring round up of amazing exhibitions in my city of London. x

David Bowie Is

23rd of March-11th of August 2013

The Victoria & Albert Museum

David Bowie at The V & A

Becoming Picasso 1901

February 14th-26th of May 2013 

The Courtlauld Gallery

Becoming Picasso

Man Ray

February 7th- 27th of May 2013 

The National Portrait Gallery

Man Ray Portraits

Lichtenstein: A Retrospective

Tate Modern: Exhibition

21 February – 27 May 2013

Lichtenstein A Retrospective


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