D10

DESTIG ISSUE 10 - THE ITALIAN SPECIAL EDITION - JULY 2021

ART - BEST OF 2021 | ITALIAN DESIGN SHOWCASE | SPECIAL ART FEATURES | HOT PICKS

EXPERIENCE

MONTE-CARLO ICONIC HOTELS AND RESIDENCES www.montecarlosbm.com

DESTIG WORLD'S BEST DESTINATION - 2021 ITALY

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Home Fragrances with the smell of the simplest element of nature - our land.

Viktoria Yakusha, over a period of 9 months has developed it for a modern minimalist house and its owners, who cherish traditions and prefer natural materials.

Line of 3 basic home scents – MOCHAR, CVIT and POLYN, released in the form of a diffuser, candle and soap. The packaging is handcrafted of local organic materials and the inspiration for the niche home fragrances comes from the earth - a natural element that gives life to all living things.

WWW.FAINA.DESIGN

DESTIG 10 - ITALIA 8 Welcome to Italy 50 DESTIG Hot Picks 62 Bud Gibbons 72 NFT / Art Market 74 Bosco Sodi 76 Carrie Makenna

008

194

128

86 Illy Caffe x Ai Weiwei 88 Pending Futures 90 Sarah Milton 100 Moozem NFT 101 Andre Govia 102 Omar Khayyam 104 Nancy Eckels

101

170

114 Murakami x Faze 118 Jan Stratton 128 Lorenzo Marini 132 Mae Jeon 144 Vasu Tolia 156 Ken Goldman 166 Walter Sternlieb 170 John Carlos Furtado 180 Vamoss 185 Gabrielle Matlock

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144

Welcome to DESTIG - Italy

Team

'Bel paese (or Belpaese, IPA: [ˌbɛl paˈeːse, -eːze]) is the classical

Mike Walters - Editor in Chief

poetical appellative for Italy, meaning the "beautiful country" in

Andrew Martin Davis - Producer

Italian, due to its mild weather, cultural heritage and natural

Richard Maurice / Paul Martins - Journalists

endowment.' - Wiki

John West - Travel & Brand Advertising

Welcome to D10 - we bring you the best in Italian destinations and

Alice Carreras - Art & Design Advertising

creative excellence in design. This is followed by our selection of 10

Zayne Walters / Zizou Mikel - Interns

amazing artists you should know. Finally we delve into the hot topics

Victor Sanchez / Jennifer Boothe - Designers

of the moment... especially that exciting and scary word - NFT.

David Truro - Design Support

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ARE YOU READY?

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WELCOME TO ITALY ITALY OFFERS A RICH COMBINATION OF MASTERPIECES FROM DIFFERENT AREAS, BLENDING LANDSCAPE AND CULTURE, HISTORY AND ART, ARCHITECTURE AND CITY PLANNING.

Italy has been, since antiquity, the centre of history,

residences with 4,000 gardens, 36,000 archives and

culture and art. Museums, collections and archaeological

libraries, 20,000 historical cities and towns, 5,600

sites reveal countless tokens of the past and the many

museums and archaeological sites, and 1,500 convents.

civilizations that have passed across this country, evidence of which is still inextricably woven into the

Tourists can explore and discover the private residences

present day landscape.

of ancient and noble families; visit world famous museums such as the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the

Artistic wonders can be found everywhere, and every

Capitoline Museums in Rome, or the Brera Art Gallery in

corner of the country holds countless and wonderful

Milan; explore impressive archaeological sites, such as

surprises. Italy's artistic and cultural heritage is one of

Pompei and Herculaneum, to immerse themselves in an

the most valuable in the world. Italy has more cultural

exciting, grandiose past. That is by no means all - there

UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.

are numerous cultural, artistic, and musical events that

Rome, Florence, Assisi, Venice, Siena, Pisa, and Naples

animate Italian life.

are its most renowned cities of art, but the whole country can boast towns of breath-taking beauty, as

Italy offers an exciting journey through time, from the

these

Ancient Greeks and Romans to the present day, which is

numbers

demonstrate:

95,000

monumental

churches, 40,000 forts and castles, 30,000 historical

PAGE 008

also filled by a wealth of art and culture.

BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA, L'AQUILA, ABRUZZO PAGE 009

ART CITIES Frequently characterized as an urban textile that preserves the original framework, such as a Roman stronghold or a Medieval borgo, Italy's art cities represent vestiges that each seem to be frozen in different times – some even seem to straddle the divide between more than one historical period, perhaps not having completed the transformation initiated by one conqueror or another. Marked by the initiatives of great artists and patrons, these cities are not only the repositories of poignant artistic expressions, but are themselves true masterpieces of art.

Open-air museums that can be enjoyed and admired on foot – these cities offer modern and inspiring itineraries for discovering shops and artisan workshops, markets and fairs, festivals and theatrical events that are a great blessed union of traditions, culture and excitement.

Ranked in first place in the world for number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Italy is an unparalleled destination when it comes to history

and

culture.

Upper-class

young

European men knew it very well, when, between

late

1600s

and

1800s,

devoted

themselves to the “Grand Tour” of Europe’s most beautiful cities: the highlight of their journey of cultural growth and amusement was indeed the Bel Paese. If we should retrace a cultural Grand Tour today, our must-do stops would be many.

Italy counts 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders, the most of any country on the World Heritage List. Italy’s World Heritage Sites are well-known. The Dolomites; The City of Verona; Ferrara and the Po River Delta; the Historic Centers of San Gimignano, Florence and Rome; Hadrian's Villa and the Villa D’Este at Tivoli; the archaeological area of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata; the Sassi (rupestrian

architecture

and

churches)

of

Matera; the Amalfi Coast and the Aeolian Islands are just some among many others. All 55 sites have been, at one time or another, travel destinations for those seeking Italy's history, art and culture in the Bel Paese.

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VILLAGE IN THE ALPS, AOSTA VALLEY PAGE 011

ITALY, A TERRITORY OF CULTURE Italy is a nation that hosts unique and fascinating events of international resonance throughout the year, providing you innumerable opportunities for experiencing intense emotions.

Art exhibitions are inspired by over a thousand years of heritage, and events such as the Venice Biennale with its design and contemporary art focus, are flanked and alternate with theatre and ballet performances. For music lovers, the festivals and operatic seasons offered by Milan’s La Scala and the Verona Arena are unique. Italy is a synonym for music and art in every form. But that’s not all. It offers a wide range of traditional and modern cultural events, such as literary festivals or the many Carnivals held, most notably in Venice, but also in many other regions, and the various historical and religious representations that fill Italy with fantasy and vitality throughout the year. Italy is also a natural film set. Its beautiful scenery make it the perfect background for every kind of film production: From its metropolises, to its Renaissance palaces, and amazing natural landscapes. Italy is an ensemble of art, culture, natural landscapes, traditions, magic… in a word, diversity. Enjoy Italy and its daily, countless events!

The Italian art cities are some of the most-visited destinations in international cultural tourism. Rich in monuments, churches, castles, museums, and historic dwellings, Italy’s cities of art are an ideal target for low-season tourism, fulfilling a desire to know them any time of the year. Almost all of them preserve an important historic, artistic and architectonic

heritage

that

narrates

the

succession of century after century. Rich in signs of the events of the people who moved about in them – Italy’s art cities were often the seats of governments and principalities, and the stages for the events that changed the course of history.

More specifically these cities, due to their particular relationship with various axes of power, were made over several times – i.e. as residences of princes, dukes, popes, kings and emperors.

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GIOVINAZZO PORT, APULIA PAGE 013

MADE IN ITALY

A QUICK INTRO: MURANO GLASS Made in Italy is an expression that recalls the image of high-quality Italian products throughout the world.

The reason behind this expression’s fame? Made in Italy is, by now, an authentic brand symbolizing the excellence of Italian artisanship and manufacturing.

From footwear to pret-a-porter, from bicycles to automobiles and, undoubtedly, excellent gastronomic traditions, Italian products bearing the prestigious Made in Italy title are highly-coveted the world over for their integrity and durability, design originality and creativity, and for their distinct tastes and flavors.

Murano and the Glass Arts Artisan tradition and a manufacture that combines industrial, manual and technological techniques have for centuries characterized and exalted the Italian art of glassmaking. A segment of the luxury sector and synonomous with Italian design, glassmaking on the Peninsula calls the Venetian isle of Murano its

centuries, More specifically, such took place in Venice,

epicenter – at least since the 8th Century – Murano

but not in Venice proper – rather, on the outlying island

of course, being among the most famous Italian

of Murano. Here, the possibility of large fires destroying

glassmakers imported throughout the world.

the Most Serene Republic (as a result of the glassmaking process) was minimized.

On Murano, packed with Renaissance-style houses and in part defined by its dominant white lighthouse,

The creation of objects in glass is rather complex, both

glass production stands as the highest expression of

materially and economically, which is why early on

refined objets and furnishings. It is an expression

glassmakers enjoyed certain immunities and were allowed

realized over time by several dynasties of master

to possess swords for self-defense; the catch is they

glassmakers, passing down this art of transforming

could never be permitted to leave the Republic, in the

sand with air and fire, and maintaining an archive of

regrettable case that the secrets of the glass arts might

knowledge that has been kept very hush-hush on this

be given up by any mode or means.

semi-secluded little island. Some maintain that the glass arts hark back to ancient Egypt, whence the

For this, Murano's glassmakers held a tight monopoly on

tradition arrived in old Rome for the purpose of

both quality and manufacturing techniques, including

adorning noble residences. Yet it was with Eastern

millefiori, crystal or lead glass, glazed and milk glass, up

and

until the re-discovery of ancient Roman glass, today's

Arab

influences

that

glass

design

and

manufacture were further refined through several PAGE 014

murrine.

SASSI DI MATERA CITYSCAPE, MATERA, BASILICATA PAGE 015

Tourists in Venice seek out the

Murano is still the foremost hub of artisan labs for both

workshops of the grand maestros –

artistic and mass commercial production. One of the

that, by the way, assisted Picasso, Fontana and Chagall in creating their own glass sculptures.

standouts among the most unique, original creations are glass objects imitating precious stones. Of course many of Venice's historic glass ateliers have become international

household

names,

including

Salviati,

Barovier & Toso, FerroMurano, and Berengo Studio.

And it is for good reason: they are names that continue to employ the age-old artisanry that has long gone into their chandeliers and murrines, making them invaluable symbols of Made in Italy, and thus guaranteeing quality and origin.

Tourists in Venice seek out the workshops of the grand maestros – that, by the way, assisted Picasso, Fontana and Chagall in creating their own glass sculptures. Here visitors can acquire light fixtures, goblets and chalices, jewelry and vases, thin as paper or thick like marble, white like porcelain or cold-painted. Before visiting the Museo del Vetro in Palazzo Giustinian, witness the glassmaking of Murano in person to appreciate the expert techniques used to shape and form these works.

Viewing the manufacturing process up close truly makes the final product come alive in a brand new way.

For more details, please visit: www.muranoglass.com

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MONUMENT BY THE SEA, CALABRIA PAGE 017

MADE IN ITALY

KARTELL: SUPER ITALIAN DESIGN Italy is synonymous with excellence in decor. Of all the major brands “Made in Italy” that adorn homes all over the world - B&B, Lago, Meda, Artemide - Kartell is among the most renowned. Noted for some worldfamous productions, such as the Ghost chair by Philippe Stark and the Bookworm bookshelf by Ron Arad, Kartell is an Italian company, manufacturing only in Italy, with unmatched technique and quality.

One of the great insights of its engineers was, in fact, utilizing polycarbonate, first used for police visors and shields, and then modified by General Electric to make it more flexible, colorful and durable. From that study came the La Marie chair, ushering in the era of industrial

products

which

today

decorate

the

townhouses of Manhattan as well as Milan and

mold, making them resistant both to weight and to

Singapore.

weather, as in the case of the outdoor chairs. Its famous lamps, such as the baroque Bourgie by Ferruccio

Founded in 1949 by Giulio Castelli, the company that

Laviani, is a perfect example of the Kartell style, both a

produces items of furniture exclusively in plastic has

decorative object and reading companion. “Bookworm,”

gained international recognition and a place of honor

meanwhile, is a flexible bookshelf fixed to the wall, a

in the major museums of contemporary art and design

great example of flexibility and strength.

throughout the world, such as the Trienniale d’Arte in Milan and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The basis of the company's success is knowing how to make the artisans out of of its workers, and the ability to

Among the designers that have helped the brand

use the most advanced technologies to create beautiful

make its mark are Ludovico (Vico) Magistretti, who

objects from raw materials. Along with the different

produced the popular “Maui” chair, Philippe Starck

types of plastic from which they are made, a "natural"

who designed the first chair for Kartell, “Dr. Glob,”

alternative to glass due to their brightness, durability

Alberto Meda, who made the “Honeycomb” chair,

and affordability. On the basis of this philosophy, Kartell

Antonio Citterio, who made the “Mobil” chest of

has also ushered in an entire line of items for the

drawers, and other noted designers such as Patricia

bathroom and for the table, covered with gold and silver

Urquiola and Ferruccio Laviani.

paint. As one of the most important brands in the industry, Kartell now has 130 stores in the world,

These innovators have created, for the Milanese

exporting mainly to the United States. In 1999, it opened

company, design objects that have become icons of

its eponymous museum in Novigio, in the province of

good living. Two of the features of the Milanese

Milan, where the company is also registered.

company’s furnishings is the use of polycarbonate, and the manufacturing of each item from a single PAGE 018

www.kartell.com

SANTA CATERINA MONASTERY, TEANO, CAMPANIA PAGE 019

MADE IN ITALY

VALENZA CITY THE ART OF GOLD Italian goldsmithery is Made in Italy at its finest. An alchemy

of

past

and

present,

it

is

just

one

representation of the Italian love for beauty, and artisan know-how that dates back ages. It is no wonder at all that Italy is a world leader in jewelry and goldworking.

This niche in Italian luxe flourishes in a few “gold districts” throughout the Peninsula: foremost among them is that in Valenza, one of the names that stands out internationally. Not far from northern Italy's major cities (i.e. Genoa, Milan and Turin), the Valenza district comprises eight contiguous municipalities where an ample range of jewelry and gold is produced and sold.

Valenza, a small city in the Region of Piedmont, actually boasts the highest number of artisan gold and jewelry businesses in the country, as well as a solid high-quality artisan tradition and significant advancement in the

Then, Arezzo, known for its longstanding importance in

way of technical, stylistic and material innovation. The

goldworks, and for its schools and research centers,

elevated level of design locally, fervent production, a

historically supplied its pieces to Florence's biggest

fair and expo known on a global scale, and training

jewelers. The Tuscan city hosts the annual trade fair

academies and institutes of study rooted in the

and exhibition of "Oro Arezzo," with thousands of

surrounding territory and tradition make Valenza a

operators from Italy and abroad participating.

privileged destination for tourists, the curious and apasionados seeking out this different and rather

Not to be counted out is Naples, with a 2,000-year-old

particular thread of Made in Italy.

district running from the ancient Neapolis to Torre del Greco.

Of course goldsmithery is an important profession all over the Bel Paese; each Region has its own traits and

Other sector fair events include Vicenza Oro and

specializations, where often the businesses are family-

Orogemma in Arezzo. Meanwhile, among Italy’s most

run. Another district similar to that of Valenza is

famous jewelry and gold labels are Damiani, Roberto

Vicenza with its silver and goldworks (as with just about

Coin and Miluna.

all of Italy’s jewelers, this includes custom-made creations, as well), and fine jewels, gold-plating, china,

For more details please visit these websites:

home decor, etchings and sculptures. Thirty-percent of

www.vicenzaoro.com

the Vicenza area’s exports arrive in Russia, Turkey and

www.oroarezzo.it

the UAE.

www.comune.valenza.al.it

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FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE, BOLOGNA, EMILIA ROMAGNA PAGE 021

MADE IN ITALY

VIETRI AND ITS CERAMICS All the colors of the Amalfi Coast, the sea’s deep deep blue, the striking green forests and the golden orange of the citrus groves seem to meet up in Vietri, particularly in the glazes and decorations of this gorgeous

Campanian

town’s

beautiful

ceramics,

produced since 1600.

Named as UNESCO World Heritage in 1997, along with the rest of the Amalfi Coast, this community, not far from Salerno was stuck on a splendid site amidst hills and sea. Already inhabited in Antiquity, when it was

Do visit at least one or two of the other bordering

the city of Marcina, Vietri, in addition to its enchanting

towns (either on the Amalfi Coast or Sorrentine

coastline, is surrounded by magnificent Mediterranean

Peninsula), but not only: excursions through the

vegetation.

wilderness, such as those along the paths connecting Vietri sul Mare to the Amalfi littoral, are also a

Vietri has been famous for its majolica for centuries,

possibility. These routes were trekked by the area’s

and these splendid materials even cover the altars,

population when fleeing from the Saracens. Look for

cupola and the cusp of the Parish Church of St. John

the Tower of Marina di Vietri, resembling several other

the Baptist, dating to 1732; this magnificent religious

towers in this zone and used to watch out for pirates.

structure boasts colors visible from far away, as well as

Another charming trail leads from upper Vietri to the

canvases from the 17th-18th Centuries. Walking Vietri’s

Cava de’ Tirreni, from which another itinerary referred

lanes and corridors is a series of continuous surprises,

to as the Sentiero degli Dei (Trail of the Gods) departs,

and it becomes the routine to see many a building

ideal for its breathtaking panorama. Finally, the WWF

decorated in the local tile. Another one among these is

Oasis Parco Croce spreads out over the base of Mt.

the 1600s Arch-Confraternity of the Annunciation and

Falerio.

of the Rosary, the interior of which was frescoed in the 18th Century. Of course, here in Vietri the colors of the

The history of Vietri’s ceramics industry is a millenary

ceramics’ varnishes and shellacs blend amazingly well

one – evidenced in the abundance of ancient remnants

with the natural scenery, as can be seen in the tiled

– and it characterizes this seaside village with its

walls (both exterior and interior) of the houses, or inlaid

peculiar, colorful style. Learn about the typical

in the roads and alleyways of this old borgo. Vietri and

ceramics tradition at the Fabbrica di Ceramiche

other nearby historic centers – for instance Conca dei

Solimene, displaying contemporary ceramics works,

Marini – make for a spectacular open-air museum, with

and at the Museo Provinciale della Ceramica in Villa

numerous workshops exhibiting and selling ceramic,

Guariglia.

plates, glasses, plaques and tiles, as well as many other objects.

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www.incampania.it / www.turismoinsalerno.it

TRIESTE CATHEDRAL, FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA PAGE 023

MADE IN ITALY

ITALY - DEFINING GLOBAL FASHION A cultural and social phenomenon, Italian fashion is the emblem of style and elegance of the Bel Paese.

The textile sector – clothing, leather and footwear – moves significant volumes and represents a major part of the high-quality production that is exported all over the world.

The Italian fashion brands that have extended their original activities in clothing to the footwear, purse, accessories and perfume divisions continue to see rising sales in all the relevant markets, and not only those emerging. In fact, today one can browse the big names in Italian fashion in famous shopping streets throughout the world. Most of the Italian maisons have by now become household names in terms of international luxury, but also (as well as their own – or subsidiary to – multinational companies).

The legends of Made in Italy predominate, and they’re global:

Prada,

Armani,

Versace,

Cavalli,

Fashion is, along with the art, gastronomy, and natural

Dolce&Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Gucci,

terrain of this extraordinary Peninsula, one of the great

Tod's, Marni, Valentino, Missoni, Gianfranco Ferrè,

allures for international tourists flocking here. Shopping

Krizia, Coveri, Trussardi, Laura Biagiotti, Alberta

in Italy is indeed a beloved activity that can be

Ferretti, Moschino, Rocco Barocco, Emanuel Ungaro,

alternated with visits to the museums and monuments.

Luciano Soprani, Romeo Gigli, Sergio Rossi, and many others.

From boutiques sporting the most famous labels or those of emerging designers, to stores carrying the

The success of Italian moda is the fruit of a long history

names of the largest houses (often a sight to see,

that has built up a complexity and character that have

boasting that surprising Made in Italy creativity), and

evolved to be on par with society and culture

small shops full of character and charm – the entire

themselves: from the beginnings of the 1950s to the

country is an irresistible attraction.

modern lines and trends of today, Italian fashion immediately fused with the glamour of cinema and the

Another layer of excitement is added when shoppers

lives of the most sensual actresses, who were

can peruse and buy amidst the unique and evocative

fascinated by, and fascinating in, the signature style of

settings of art cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or

Made in Italy looks. This charmed existence amplified

Medieval villages, where the historical-artistic value is

through the decades, and echoes ever louder in our

immeasurable, the reason for which Italy is famous the

days.

world over.

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COLOSSEUM, ROME, LAZIO PAGE 025

During Milan Fashion Week, the

During Milan Fashion Week, the latest collections are

latest collections are shown on the

shown on the runways against the sparkling, upscale

runways against the sparkling, upscale backdrop of Milan – the internationally-recognized capital of

backdrop of Milan – the internationally-recognized capital of Made in Italy – and in particular in the socalled “Quadrilatero della Moda” (Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via Sant’Andrea, and Via della Spiga).

Made in Italy Rome, hosts haute couture shows during AltaRoma. But of course, it wouldn’t be the Capital without its numerous luxury, ready-to-wear boutiques dispersed throughout the city, espeically in the areas of the Spanish Steps, Via dei Condotti and Via del Corso.

Not to be left out is Florence, with its piazzas full of fashion par excellence - specifically its flourishing leather,

footwear

Additionally,

the

and

accessories

Renaissance

city's

industries. annual

Pitti

Immagine exhibition is one of the most important events dedicated to menswear on the fashion calendar.

The scene in other cities – Venice, Naples and Genoa among them – comprises, yes, the stores of the largest Italian houses, but it can also be the seat for prestigious artisan ateliers spanning ancient traditions, such as Marinella ties in Naples, or Genoa’s Finollo, renowned for its fine shirts.

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VARESE, LIGURIA PAGE 027

MILAN'S QUADRILATERO DELLA MODA Milan is known first and foremost as Italy's - and an international - fashion capital. The city hosts innumerable boutiques - selling jewelry, decor, and of course, the most sought-out fashion labels - in its Quadrilatero

d'oro

della

moda

or

Fashion

Quadrilateral.

The district is brodered by four main thoroughfares Via Monte Napoleone, Via Alessandro Manzoni, Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia - hence the Quadrilatero reference. The shops and showrooms in these streets make a purchase or a mere glance at the window dressings, irresistible motives for the 'fashion set' to arrive from all over the world.

Tourists traipsing through the Quadrilatero quarter can experience the true atmosphere of the Lombard Capital, noting the lights, colors and elegance of the various ateliers. One will also note the endless succession of those classic, international names that are by now part of a club to which no other fashion houses can accede: think Armani, Versace, Alberta Ferretti, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Bulgari, Cartier, Valentino and Gianfranco Ferrè.

PAGE 028

MILAN CATHEDRAL, LOMBARDY PAGE 029

The heart of the neighborhood lies in Via Monte

Palazzo Morando, which hosts the city's new fashion

Napoleone, among the the class of most chic and

museum, and the Grand Hotel et de Milan, where the

expensive streets in the world - along with New York's

maestro Verdi is said to have lodged. Not to be left out

Fifth Avenue and Paris's Champs-Elysées.

are the Church of San Francesco di Paola, the 1700s Palazzo Gallarati Scotti, and Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda.

The name dates back to 1804, during the time of Napoleon's rule here. While Milan was teeming with

Additionally, newbies will discover in cafes, de rigeur

foreigners in those days, it was not until the 1950s that

bookstores, cinemas and even a department store or

Via Montenapoleone gained its international shopping

two. The options are endless and even fashionistas

stature. Via Manzoni, rather, dedicated to Alessandro

serious about their shopping will find that they can find

Manzoni (after his death, in 1874), was already

plenty of posh and sophisticated moments of fun.

considered the most elegant street in Mediolanum at

It is interesting to know that... just a stone's throw from

the beginning of the 19th Century.

the Quadrilatero is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a broad pedestrian road that connects Piazza Duomo to Piazza

The entirety of the Quadrilatero della Moda consists of

San Babila. With its elaborate porticoes and clothing

refined streets, particularly Via Borgospesso, Via Santo

and accessories boutiques, Corso Vittorio and the

Spirito, Via Gesù, Via Sant'Andrea and Via Bagutta.

Vittorio Emanuele Gallery are other hubs for cult

Not only, but the zone is very alive in cultural terms,

fashion finds.

with numerous historic palazzi interspersed with the shops and stores. For instance, the Poldi Pezzoli and

www.turismo.regione.lombardia.it

Bagatti Valsecchi House-Museums are here, as well as

www.turismo.milano.it

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CASTLE OF CAGLII, MARCHES PAGE 031

VESPA - THE ITALIAN LEGEND With its musically-flowing yet minimalist lines and its practical functionality, the Vespa is the fruit of a technological revolution that upturned the concept of mobility in the mid-20th Century.

A classic, an icon, it shaped Italy’s post-World War II

The Brand

pop culture, starring in one of the world’s favorite

From its very debut, the Vespa also benefited from

films and defining the Bel Paese in both image and

Enrico Piaggio’s strategic communication style. The first

reality. It is a symbol of style, design, and Italy.

ever

publicity

campaign,

in

1946,

depicted

an

independent, working woman ready to set off on her Historical and Social Context:

Vespa. The message was definitely a precursor - along

With its musically-flowing yet minimalist lines and its

with the fact that Italian women had just voted for the

practical functionality, the Vespa is the fruit of a

first time in the history of the nation - for things to come.

technological revolution that upturned the concept of

Piaggio’s PR was poignant, and this little flyer was the

mobility in the mid-20th Century. From the meeting of

subject of postcards from Italy in those years. Still,

two great minds – smart entrepreneur Enrico Piaggio

sometimes nothing but a fashionable, star-studded film

and innovative designer Corradino D’Ascanio –

can capture the character of an era (and the

everybody’s favorite scooter came into being. The pair

imaginations of generations to come) as William Wyler’s

simply wanted to re-start Italy’s economic engine, but

Roman Holiday did. Burned on our memories are Audrey

the result turned out to be much more: today, it is the most famous and widespread scooter on the planet, as well as the epitome of Italy’s post-War trajectory.

The "Vespa" is Born In the spring of 1946, this light, intrinsically glamorous two-wheeler

was

introduced

to

the

public.

A

relatively-affordable means of transport, it was targeted at young professionals and women, who could now ride while wearing a skirt, and without having to worry about the messiness of dirt, mud and oil. Originally, this little moto was to be called “Paperino” (meaning little duck), but upon seeing it, Enrico Piaggio declared that it resembled a “Vespa,” that is, a wasp. So it was, and for 80,000 Lira, one could buy a sense of liberty that traveled at 60 kph (or 37.3 mph). It was not long until the 1950s would arrive, and thus much of Western Europe’s economic golden years: Italy would soon be hopping on its Vespa and riding into the sunset aboard a vehicle that would quickly dominate the market.

PAGE 032

SANTO SPIRITO BRIDGE, ISERNIA, MOLISE PAGE 033

The dream of Italy, that good life that

Hepburn and Gregory Peck zipping around the sunny

most of us crave, is encapsulated in the

Eternal City on their gorgeous white Vespa, selling not

Vespa, in all its versions and colors. It is by now routine that tourists rent their

only a product, but a mood: the Vespa had certainly made the most of its moment in the product placement spotlight.

own so that they can glide along the streets of Caput Mundi, or even on the Amalfi or Sicilian Coasts. And don’t we all want, even if for just a day, our own personal Roman holiday?

The dream of Italy, that good life that most of us crave, is encapsulated in the Vespa, in all its versions and colors. It is by now routine that tourists rent their own so that they can glide along the streets of Caput Mundi, or even on the Amalfi or Sicilian Coasts. And don’t we all want, even if for just a day, our own personal Roman holiday?

Many Vespa owners not only get around on their scooters on an exclusively quotidian, utilitarian basis: the Vespa is also made for fun, and particularly in warmer months, owners participate in rallies or take on a small trip in their native Italy, enjoying the wind in their hair and the sights and scenery along the way. Enthusiasts that happen to be in northwestern Tuscany are not far from the Museo Piaggio in Pontedera (near both Pisa and Florence); here they can retrace the history of the globe’s most beloved set of two wheels. www.vespa.com

PAGE 034

THE BAROLO'S CHAPEL, LAMORRA, PIEDMONT PAGE 035

EXPLORE ITALY'S CHRISTIAN HISTORY As the heart of one of the world's most significant religions, Italy has always been a destination for those who have made their faith a way of life and who wish to explore the roots of a world that has produced art, architecture, and objects of inestimable value.

Italy is a land of pilgrimage - one of the foremost in the world - and is home to countless places of devotion and worship: San Giovanni Rotondo, the city where St. Padre Pio of Pietralcina lived and worked; Assisi, the city of St. Francis, with its magnificent Basilica and

Italy is an unparalleled and mandatory destination for

Holy Convent; and the Sanctuary of Loreto, one of the

anyone wishing to travel the historic roads of

most prominent spiritual and cultural centers in Europe.

Christianity - such as the Via Francigena - explore the

But the ultimate destination for religious pilgrimages is

numerous places of worship in every region, or simply

undoubtedly Rome, the Capital of Christianity and Seat

take a spiritual trip to admire the artistic, cultural, and

of the Papacy, where one can find St. Peter's Basilica,

religious heritage of this country.

the largest Christian church in the world. Another of countless destinations is Turin, site of the Shroud of

Relevant websites:

Turin, a relic bearing the everlasting image of Christ

www.vatican.va

after the crucifixion; it can only be seen during

www.operaromanapellegrinaggi.org

scheduled exhibitions.

www.viafrancigena.com

PAGE 036

STREET MURAL, SARDINIA PAGE 037

ITALY - TERRITORY OF TASTE Italy has always been a synonym for "good food," offering an unmistakable explosion of flavors, scents, and aromas. Aside from having one of the most famous cuisines in the world, it also proposes an immense variety of different regional dishes and recipes.

Visitors cannot miss the culinary and wine itineraries journeys through Italy's enogastronomic culture, in search of ancient recipes, genuine products, and simple food inspired by classic Italian cooking and innovative creations. World-renowned products such as Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese, Parma and San Daniele ham, Modena balsamic vinegar, Genoa's pesto, buffalo mozzarella from Campania, Alba truffles, and cured meats are just some of the symbols that make Italy the land of good food. And how could anyone forget pasta and pizza, universal synonyms for Italy?

Italy’s wines, those noble ambassadors of Italian excellence throughout the world, must not be neglected. The pleasure of tasting a fine wine in its native environment is unparalled - a glass of Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany, of Barbera or Barolo from Piedmont, of Prosecco di Valdobbiadene in Veneto, of Lambrusco from Emilia Romagna, or the PAGE 038

MAZARA DEL VALLO, SICILY PAGE 039

The Ancient Greeks used to call Italy

Sicilian wines or the white wines in Friuli and Trentino-

“Enotria,” in reference to its production of

Alto Adige, or the great reds of the Valtellina, just to

extraordinary wines. It would be

provide a fine few exemplars. Italy is a world of tastes

impossible to list all the features of Italian wines, sought after the world over for their variety and their quality.

that tempt the palate, eyes, and heart!

Italian Wines The Ancient Greeks used to call Italy “Enotria,” in reference to its production of extraordinary wines. It would be impossible to list all the features of Italian wines, sought after the world over for their variety and their quality.

Enogastronomic Itineraries The staples of the Mediterranean Diet – the health benefits of which are well-known – are bread and olive oil. The Italian landscape is characterized, from north to south, by golden wheat fields and green olive groves – where different types of breads and high-quality olive oils are produced.

Agritourism Choosing farm stays: learn about the accommodations, food, services and amenities on an agritouristic vacation.

PAGE 040

LAKE RESIE, ITALY, TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE PAGE 041

ITALY'S SEAS AND COASTLINES With its approximately 4,660 mi of coastline, Italy is the ideal place for water lovers. The wide variety of its beaches makes it perfect for every type of vacationer in search of nature, fun, and rest and relaxation.

The Italian coast, with its countless gulfs, coves and

water sports, you can enjoy a variety of activities in

inlets, touristic ports and long, sandy beaches, is truly

both the protected areas of Cinque Terre and Poets’

adapted to the water lover’s every demand. It is

Gulf.

chock-full of fishing villages, and coastal cities with sea resorts and day beaches - much of it easily

The beaches on the Tuscan coast are lower and sandier

reachable by car, train and planes, and marine vessels.

even though it comprises the coast of the Apuan Alps, Versilia, littoral Pisa and the Etruscan Coast. All these

From North to South, East to West, this mountainous

spots have seen vibrant touristic activity since the

land slopes into the rocky, indented coasts of the

1960s. The rather well-known Islands of Elba and

Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas in the west and southeast

Capraia lie about 12 mi off the region’s coast, and

respectively, and toward the softer, sandier shores of

although they make up part of the Tuscan Archipelago,

the Adriatic in the east. From these seas that wash up

they reside in the Ligurian Sea.

upon the “beautiful country” surge two magnificent islands – Sicily and Sardinia – in addition to numerous tiny

archipelagos.

These

include

the

Tuscan

Archipelago, to which Elba belongs; the Archipelago of the

Maddalena

in

Sardinia;

the

Campanian

Archipelago with Ischia and Capri; and finally the Pontine Islands off the southern shores of Lazio.

Between the coasts of Tunisia and Sicily, we also find the Pelagian (Lampedusa) Islands and, to Sicily's north, the Aeolians – with two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano – and the Egadi Islands, a natural reserve. Last but not least, in Puglia, there are the splendid Islands of Tremiti.

From Liguria to the Maritime Alps (west of Genova) and the Appenine zone of Liguria, the foothills of the Alpine Mountains push out and brush the waves that lap at the Italian Riviera. With their high and rocky cliffs, these rugged coasts are rich with gorgeous nooks, crannies and deep, deep sea-beds. The marvels of nature do not stop there. This area is a paradise for numerous animal species and for humans alike: whether you want to watch nature or seek the thrill of PAGE 042

DUOMO SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE, FLORENCE, TUSCANY PAGE 043

Continuing along the shores that line the Tyrrhenian,

Excluding the promontories of Monte Gargano and

one finds the Maremma, Lazio and then Campania, in

Mount Conero, the littoral zone awash in the Adriatic

large part low and sandy in character but with random,

Sea is made up of an immense sandy swathe of land,

rocky peninsulas that almost meet the edge of the

naturally the location for many seaside establishments.

Pontine Islands.

The largest Italian island, Sicily, is edged by a Going further south, the Bay of Naples eventually opens

mountainous, serrated coastline in the north and east (as

itself up to the Sea, followed by the Amalfi Coast, the

in Taormina), and by flatter shores in the south and west

Gulf of Salerno and the high, rocky promontory of

(think the Trapani Coast and Egadi Islands). Sicily, too, is

Cilento. This wonderfully lofty and jagged terrain

covered in natural reserves and breathtaking landscapes.

continues almost all the way to the Strait of Messina that

The region is absolutely astonishing, as are all its

separates Sicily from the rest of the Continent.

surrounding islets, where vacationers flock from every part of the world.

The Southern Coasts bathing in the Ionian Sea, resemble the shorelines sitting on the Tyrrhenian Sea:

It is also in the Tyrrhenian Sea that we find the Island of

steep and precipitous bluffs where the Appennine

Sardinia, where the shores are varyingly rocky and

Range is closest to the sea, and uniform, consistent

smooth (Costa Smeralda). Giant boulders, as well as

where Calabria and Basilicata move toward Apulia,

other islands large and small (e.g. Maddalena, Caprera),

near the mouth of the River Po.

make up the off-shore landscape of Sardinia.

PAGE 044

PEOPLE'S PALACE, ORVIETO, UMBRIA PAGE 045

MADE IN ITALY

AMAZING PEAKS AND VALLEYS In all its territorial variety, Italy boasts a large number of beautiful and evocative mountain localities, ideal for visiting any time of year, whether summer or winter.

From north to south, the Italian mountain scene offers tourists a range of landscapes: lakes at high altitutude, incredible forests, enchanting villages and borgoes rich in history, traditions and gastronomic pleasures.

Sports, fun and relaxation marry themselves perfectly well in a mountain vacation in the Bel Paese, both amidst snow or in the conditions of fairer seasons. The major part of Italy’s mountain retreats also invite visitors to experience a wide array of cultural and outdoor activities each season: ski, alpine skiing, snowboarding, trekking and Nordic walking, mountain biking… not to mention excellent structures for ice skating, swimming, tennis, horseback riding… the list just goes on!

THE ALPS The large European mountain range rises in the northernmost

extremity

of

Italy,

defining

the

geographical boundary. The imposing Alpine ridge passes through a number of regions, from Liguria to the Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

THE APENNINES This mountain range unites the two extremities of Italy, from Liguria to Calabria, it passes through Emilia Romagna,

Tuscany,

Lazio,

Abruzzo,

Campania,

Basilicata, Umbria and Molise. The mountains of the Apennines are not so high as the peaks of the Alps, but they are nevertheless home to some important skiing areas,

such

Rivisondoli.

as The

Roccaraso, thick

Campo

vegetation

Felice,

and

and

numerous

watercourses help create exceptionally beautiful wild landscapes, which are also home to an abundant animal population.

PAGE 046

VENICE, VENETO PAGE 047

ITALY'S TERRITORY OF LAKES Italy has many lakes; in fact, there are over a

areas, are excellent destinations for exciting hikes to

thousand, renowned for their incomparable beauty

explore breathtaking landscapes. Visitors have a world

and each is characterized by distinct features. Lakes

of emotions to explore, following their instinct and their

Garda,

well-known

passions, savouring fragrances and tastes. A lakeside

throughout the world, have become ideal destinations

vacation gives guests the rare opportunity to discover

for spending some time in the sun and in close contact

and enjoy Italy's charm, reflected in cool, pristine

with nature.

waters.

Italy’s major lakes are fully equipped and offer a range

The great lakes, Lakes Como, Maggiore and Garda, are

of accommodation facilities. The beaches provide all

the largest lakes in Italy, they have always been a major

the comforts and are suitable for bathing. In addition

holiday destination, and their fame has never stopped

to relaxing, visitors can have fun testing their skills with

growing.

Maggiore,

and

Como,

now

a variety of outdoor activities. Several water sports are offered: water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, and even fishing, with national level competitions. Sports such as golf, horseback riding, and mountain biking are also offered almost everywhere. A lakeside holiday also allows tourists to discover the surrounding areas, which are full of history and traditions.

Italy's lakes create enchanting landscapes thanks to the extraordinarily prosperous ecosystems that have developed over the millennia, and the evolution of the many and various plant and animal species. Small Alpine lakes, which are quite common in high-altitude PAGE 048

ABIMIS - THE KITCHEN PIONEERS Abimis created the first ever professionally-derived stainless steel kitchen. A designer kitchen, designed to fit in with domestic surroundings, which was designed to offer the highest performance levels so far reserved for professional kitchens only.

Abimis stainless steel kitchens stand out for their simple yet striking, elegant and timeless design. A design that has been devised to blend in with any interior style. Abimis produces genuine “cooking machines” that are both attractive and top-quality, combining impeccable aesthetic styling with superior performance levels.

Craftsmanship skills, design and technological innovation. This is the recipe for the uniqueness of Abimis kitchens.

www.abimis.com PAGE 050

AGAPE - A PROUD DESIGN HERITAGE The history of Agape began in 1973 and it has crossed over 40 years of evolution in design, architecture, technology and lifestyle, interpreting one of the most special rooms in the home, the bathroom. A space Agape sets at the heart of domestic life, the bathroom is devised to last through time and to conjure up profound sensations and emotions every day. The Agape line is made entirely in Italy with high quality raw

materials,

carefully

crafted

detail

and

efficient

and

environmentally friendly production processes.

Agape favours partnerships with companies and artisans who share its passion for research and innovation, thereby enabling it to achieve unique solutions with a strong identity that through time have become icons. Real Made in Italy, a union between creative talent and quality.

www.agapedesign.it PAGE 051

ADRENALINA - FREEDOM OF MIND Adrenalina is the freedom to express oneself, to fantasize aloud, to give color to the imagination, which takes shape in iconic and avantgarde seats, precious and unexpected furnishing elements.

Adrenalina is a modern atelier that knows how to interpret the desires of those who love to surround themselves with iconic and strongly protagonist seats, with an experimental vocation. Adrenalina is a hotbed of constantly evolving ideas and experiences, a small wonderful world where seats become the protagonists of fantastic situations. The essence of Italian Design : Each Adrenalina piece is unique, produced by hand starting from the internal structure to the last seam, and is the result of a manufacturing tradition that has evolved and handed down over time.

www.adrenalina.it PAGE 052

MINOTTIITALIA - EMOTION X HISTORY The minottiitalia company was founded in 1961 in the heart of Brianza.

Artisan company of classical origin, from the beginning it has been able to create different emotions by adapting to the various moments in the history of furniture and design. minottiitalia takes care of its manufacturing in detail, in all its production phases. Everything takes place within its laboratories through the support of specialized personnel, which allows constant monitoring of all production phases, thus guaranteeing the high quality standards required by the market. The furniture takes a new shape and experiments with new materials. minottiitalia combines wood products with metal castings, iron plates with laser processing, mirrors and crystals, gold and silver leaf and micro-cement coatings.

www.minottiitalia.it PAGE 053

ZUCCHETTI - REDEFINING NORMAL Thanks to the eclectic nature of its collections, Zucchetti acts as an interpreter of the contemporary in dialogue with different cultures, responding to the complexities of today’s society and setting trends.

Zucchetti’s catalogue is the best expression of the firm’s intention to address any area of taste, whilst ensuring total quality and design, aimed at the type of end user who cares about well-being as a primary value, something to be tested every day.

Zucchetti, its collections and the international designers who have worked for the firm over many years, have significantly contributed to major changes in normal conceptions of what the bathroom can be, in the setting of a domestic dwelling. This change is not limited to creating new forms and spaces; it affects the way of life of each person.

www.zucchettikos.it PAGE 054

ZANOTTA - A STORY OF INTUITION Among the original progenitors and standard bearers of Italian furniture design —the intrepid canaries when home furnishing was little more than a utilitarian cave— Zanotta has carved out an all but untouchable place in the ranks of contemporary luxury. The first to embrace works by some of the industry’s boldest names, in sixty years Zanotta’s has amassed a veritable pantheon of award-winning designs, with almost a fifth residing in permanent museum displays.

The story of Zanotta is of one intuition —of risk taking, curiosity, reward and, above all, accomplishment— written over six fruitful decades. In that span, the brand has churned out a staggering total of 550 designs, with almost a fifth residing in permanent collections at the most prestigious museums and institutions around the world.

www.zanotta.it PAGE 055

VERY WOOD - SEATING REDEFINED Very Wood is a sophisticated collection of dining chairs, armchairs, small sofas and bar stools. The Company marries functional design with a passion for wood, artisan craftsmanship, attention to detail and the quality of natural materials.

Very Wood provides collections of upholstery with a sophisticated and sensitive design. This is truly a collection of classic designs “Made in Italy”, revisited and re-interpreted for today’s environments, that meet all international standards for Hospitality and Contract furniture.

Every designer is a world, a planet, an island; this archipelago of projects is called Very Wood: a dictionary of forms and colors that express hospitality and sociality with a contemporary and original touch.

www.verywood.it PAGE 056

VENINI - 100 YEARS OF BEAUTIFUL ART Countless artists have collaborated with VENINI, past and present; they’ve come from all over the planet to meet the mysterious charm of the Fornace (kiln).

Each encounter gives life to a cross-contamination between artisanship, Murano’s glassmaking heritage, avant-garde design and the purest form of creativity. An endless adventure that embodies the identity of VENINI. Master glassblowers join forces with talented artists to create unique handcrafted and blown glass creations. In their quest for perfection – both in design and execution – they disdainfully discard anything that doesn’t meet their highest standards of beauty, which goes crashing to the floor of the Fornace. And then they start from scratch.

www.venini.com PAGE 057

TUMIDEI - STORAGE AS NEVER BEFORE Founded in 1958 in Predappio di Romagna, Tumidei has over 60 years of experience. In this time span, people all over the world have radically changed their idea of home, family life and, consequently, of interior design.

The ongoing research for extremely sophisticated, consumer driven solutions for interior design is one of Tumidei’s success factors and the reason for the Company’s well-pondered and consistent growth.

Tumidei is now a state-of-the-art business with about 100 employees and 15.000 sqm premises, where the production chain is managed at its best, guaranteeing top quality products. Tumidei is certified UNI EN ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and OHSAS 45001 (safety).

www.tumidei.it PAGE 058

TURRI - THE ITALIAN WAY TO BEAUTY Beauty alone is enough to persuade men's eyes, without the need for speakers. - (W. Shakespeare) What is beauty? We have given ourselves an answer that may seem banal in its simplicity: beauty is a source of well-being if not pleasure.

We perceive it immediately: what appears beautiful and well done affects our mood, puts us at ease, lightens the world around us, and makes us face positively the efforts and commitments that the day has in store for us. So what is beauty for? For us at Turri, beauty is a conception of the world, an idea that interprets and changes it.

Pleasure and consolation, well-being, aesthetic enjoyment arise from the perfection of ideas that have been able to become universal.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

www.tumidei.it PAGE 059

Discover how to create your best art and succeed in sharing it with the world.

www.artandsuccess.com

PATTI BY THE WINDOW

BUD GIBBONS

"As a rule I go out into the country and look for natural settings, not always having a specific site in mind, but letting the light and weather conditions impress on me a motif. And as I become accustomed to the environment and conditions, a spot presents itself."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

EVENT HORIZON

BUD GIBBONS

Bud Gibbons is a painter who lives in the western

impress on me a motif. And as I become accustomed to

foothills of the Allegheny mountains and is

the environment and conditions, a spot presents itself. My

Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, New

materials are always ready - paint box, palette, easel and

Kensington, Pennsylvania after 40 years of

paint thinner, and a surface to paint on, usually stretched

teaching art. He has traveled the world following

canvas. It is a matter of laying out big shapes and

the

gradually learning from what I am then engaged with.

insight

that

landform

influences

critical

thought and paints the landscape and people he finds there. His paintings, even close to home

Share with us some of the themes you have explored.

demonstrate his intense interest in exploring the

In 1999, to celebrate the upcoming calendar change to a

integration of light and form and are meditations

new millennium, I decided to do a painting a day for the

on the beauty and resonance of everyday life.

whole year. The rules I made for myself were: 8"x10" horizontal, done within the 24 hour day of something I

Please share with us some insights into your

was looking at. It was a great discipline that resulted in a

process.

collection of 365 paintings which act as a diary for the

As a rule I go out into the country and look for

year 1999. Another theme that seems natural to plein air

natural settings, not always having a specific site in

painting is the 4 seasons. I made 4 large (8'x10') paintings

mind, but letting the light and weather conditions

which are part of the permanent collection of The WestPAGE 063

TAPESTRY

BLACKSTONE HOLLOW

"In 1999, to celebrate the upcoming calendar change to a new millennium, I decided to do a painting a day for the whole year. The rules I made for myself were: 8"x10" horizontal, done within the 24 hour day of something I was looking at.

It was a great discipline that resulted in a collection of 365 paintings which act as a diary for the year 1999."

PAGE 064

AESOP

-moreland Museum of American Art. Location is another theme idea including paintings from Maine or Machu Pichu or Guelin China. I have also traveled across the United States to paint the National Parks.

Which artists have inspired you the most?

A list of artists who have influenced me would be lengthy. I am grateful for the dialogue that art history provides so that, as artists, we connect to a tradition

and

can

engage

in

the

ongoing

conversation. Winslow Homer, Fairfield Porter, Richard Diebenkorn, Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell, Van Gogh, Monet, Mary Cassat, Basquiat, Joseph Albers and John Singer Sargent, to name just a few, are artists whose lives and work have influenced my thoughts about painting. As different as their work is from each other's, they share a common dedication to the tradition of painting.

What do you find interesting about painting outside?

BUD IN STUDIO

Recording a fully functioning three dimensional world on a two dimensional surface is a real challenge. Time and movement are part of what is captured in the long exposure of painting on site.

The natural environment has so much to offer the patient observer and these lessons are invaluable to studio painting (works that are too large or complicated to take out into the field.) One lesson from nature is how the awkward, seemingly separate pieces fit together as a whole, as one thing.

It is exciting to be involved in a process, an exercise of recording consciousness in such a direct way as painting en plein air.

What do you feel when you are creating?

When I am working on a painting, particularly on site, I find I can connect to the place through the process of painting. It is as though by slowing down, staying in one spot, the world starts moving and you see how things fit together. There is a harmony in that movement that one becomes a part of.

"There is a harmony in that movement that one becomes a part of."

PAGE 065

FARM ROAD

TRACTOR

PAGE 066

SUMMER

"What I appreciate is how vital art remains and while esoteric battles ensue, painting continues its dialogue with artists as traditional as Rembrandt and Cezanne and we can still pick up our brushes and express ourselves."

SELF PORTRAIT

PAGE 067

What do you think about art's role in today's world?

I am fascinated by the lengths to which artists will go to push the boundaries of art. A banana duct taped to a wall is a recent example by artist Maurizio Cattelan at Art Basel Miami Beach makes Andy Goldsworthy's impromptu pieces seem traditional, and truly they have

I find that people generally connect to the paintings through their own experiences and appreciate the positive point of view of just seeing the world through fresh eyes.

two different end points in mind. It would seem that Cattelan is interested in challenging what is and is not

KOYAANISQATSI

art- the very definition of art. And Andy Goldsworthy

How do you want your work to impact viewers?

is

the

I find that people generally connect to the paintings

consequence of human interaction with nature. What I

through their own experiences and appreciate the

appreciate is how vital art remains and while esoteric

positive point of view of just seeing the world through

battles ensue, painting continues its dialogue with

fresh eyes. At one of my exhibits a young person spent

artists as traditional as Rembrandt and Cezanne and

a great deal of time looking at the work. Then revealed

we can still pick up our brushes and express ourselves.

that she had been blind in one eye since birth and that

PAGE 068

drawing

our

attention

to

nature

and

COW AND WATERLILLIES

"Harry Schwalb, art critic for the Pittsburgh Magazine, once described my work as "pure Painterly Realism," not naturalism, not hyper-realism, so the physicality of the paint and the personality of the brushstroke are given equal importance with "getting it right."

observing these paintings allowed her to experience

looks and feels remarkably spontaneous. In (his

what it is like to see with both eyes. Cezanne's

painting) trees and bushes and mountains and rocks

experiments with binocular vision resulted in what

and clouds and sky and water stand only for

David Hockney refers to as organic cubism.

themselves. There is no symbolism, no allegory, no narrative. Yet through pigment and stroke, Gibbons

Is there a review that best describes your style?

has created an earthly paradise."

Harry Schwalb, art critic for the Pittsburgh Magazine, once described my work as "pure Painterly Realism,"

What can you say about your figurative work?

not naturalism, not hyper-realism, so the physicality of

People in my paintings are pictured always with a

the paint and the personality of the brushstroke are

sense of dignity. Often when I see someone in a

given equal importance with "getting it right."- The

contemplative mood something clicks and I think "I

Gibbons (painting) has a fastidious modernist integrity

recognize that" and I start making studies to capture

that makes it (and, in fact, the whole Painterly Realist

that same feeling in the composition. Portraits, whether

School) surprisingly akin to abstract expressionism. At

just one sitting or many, focus on the strength of the

every turn you see both the illusion of reality and the

individual. I try for harmony between the figure and

component parts of that illusion. In Gibbons as in

the environment.

Fairfield Porter, father of Painterly Realism, there is a fluidity and grace that are arrived at with painstaking

Can you tell us more about the painting "Aesop"?

care (at least one collector I know collects Gibbons'

I traveled to Spain to go to the Prado to see

little preliminary acrylic sketches), yet the painting

Velasquez's painting Las Meninas. While there I was PAGE 069

AFTER THE RAIN

WINTER STREAM

PAGE 070

SHED

ALLEN'S FRESH

struck by another Velasquez painting titled Aesop and

the female subject as a symbol of beauty, this

thought I would like to respond with a painting of my

resistance, in turn, is related to real world struggles

own that dealt with issues I saw in his masterpiece. This

during the past century, the past two centuries, in fact

is how this Aesop was started. As I worked I read from

- as society learned (and continues to learn) to consider

the book Venus in Exile by Wendy Steiner and realized

women fully human. In age old fables about female

that

with

beauty, the fair maiden creates hierarchy and

contemporary issues of art and society. These

competition... the problem is how to imagine female

statements struck me as important; "Among the myriad

beauty in art or outside it, without invoking stories of

issues surrounding beauty... is the female subject, so

dominance, victimization, and false consciousness."

in

many

ways

I

was

also

dealing

long its primary symbol in art.

In the painting "Aesop" I am indicating that personal Avant-garde modernists were often repulsed by this

strength is beautiful.

symbolism. Indeed, the history of twentieth-century elite art is in many respects a history of resistance to

Website: www.bud-gibbons.squarespace.com PAGE 071

NFT - A MARKET 'DISRUPTOR' WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE ART MARKET?

NFTs haven't just been invented, but their arrival in the auction sphere has had the effect of a tidal wave. Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips have each sold their very first Non-Fungible Token in the past few months, while many other auction houses and galleries are getting drawn into the adventure.

Artprice recognizes the unlimited creativity at the heart of this new medium as well as its extraordinary demand

Between art and technology

potential which seems in line with the rapid growth of

"NFTs are such innovative inventions that some people

the tech sector, but also with the aspirations of future

are comparing them to the greatest masterpieces in the

generations of collectors.

history of art," explains thierry Ehrmann, President and Founder of Artmarket.com and its Artprice department.

While the auction summits reached by certain works of Contemporary art are regularly called into question,

"When Sina Estavi bought the NFT of the very first

what about the recent results recorded for Beeple, Pak

"tweet" (for $2.9 million) and compared it and himself to

or Mad Dog? The astronomical records set by Jeff

Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, he expressed what NFTs mean to

Koons or Damien Hirst, as controversial as they are, do

him, and to many other aficionados of this technology:

at least crown the entire career of these artists and the

the advent of a new world of extraordinary artistic

gradual construction of their primary, and then their

talent... a renaissance."

secondary markets.

Obviously, not all NFTs are works of art; but some have Today, the 7- or 8-digit results achieved by NFTs seem

been created as true digital artworks and propelled to

totally unpredictable since the works of these artists

the forefront of the art market by the biggest auction

had never before circulated on the art market. Here is

houses on the planet.

an example:

Artprice is keen to integrate these new forms of art into

Everydays: The First 5000 Days by Beeple

its databases in order to study their development and

Estimated: unknown

provide its members (with Basic, Advanced and

Starting price: $100

Professional subscriptions) with all the necessary

Price achieved: $69,346,250

information relating to this new market.

PAGE 072

Red-chips' and NFTs

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with,

The arrival of NFTs in the auction sphere seems to be

among other structures, its Artprice department, world

the extension of a recent shift in the traditional art

leader

market which has seen collectors increasingly focusing

exploitation of historical and current art market

on the latest trends… i.e. 'red-chip' artists.

information in databanks containing over 30 million

in

the

accumulation,

management

and

indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000

"Today, the rules have been overturned," explained

artists.

Isabelle Paagman, Sotheby's Head of Private Sales in Europe during the presentation of the TV show The

Artprice Images® allows unlimited access to the largest

Next Big Thing.

Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved

"Traditionally, an artist first built his reputation and his

reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day,

audience with the help of galleries, building a primary

commented by our art historians.

market, then slowly progressing towards the secondary market. Today an artist creates his audience via

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates

Instagram and suddenly becomes one of the most

data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses

desired artists on the planet. The result is we are now

and produces key Art Market information for the main

seeing at auction artists who are still very young and at

press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 4.5

the start of their careers."

million 'members log in' users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the

This transformation fits perfectly with the NFT

leading Global Standardized Marketplace® to buy and

technology: digital works circulate freely on the web,

sell artworks at a fixed or bid price.

on Instagram, on Youtube, etc. while their digital property is secured in a cryptowallet.

www.artmarket.com PAGE 073

SCULPTOR, BOSCO SODI PRESENTS NYC EVENT - A GIFT TO NEW YORK

Enacted over a single day, "Tabula Rasa" consisted of 439 handmade clay spheres containing seeds that were offered to the public to take away with them in order to plant at home.

Studio Bosco Sodi and Kasmin presented Tabula Rasa, a public artwork and performance by international artist Bosco Sodi (b. Mexico City, 1970). Tabula Rasa took place in Washington Square Park, New York, with

our own interdependence and reliance on both one

the installation of 439 small-scale clay spheres, each

another and also, crucially, on the natural world we

symbolizing one day of the COVID-19 pandemic's

inhabit.

duration.

Those who took the spheres home were able to plant

On view from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the artwork began a second

them in soil, activating another phase of the work

phase at 1 p.m., when New Yorkers passing through

during which the seeds will germinate and continue on

Washington Square Park were invited to take home a

into the cycle of life and death. Loaded with symbolism

single clay sphere from the installation, a gesture which

concerning

allowed each person to become a part of the

creative possibility, Sodi's Tabula Rasa is an offering, a

performance. At sunset, once each of the works had

gesture that acts to bring together the diverse

been

individuals that make up the city's community as New

claimed

by

the

participating

public,

the

new

beginnings,

transformation,

and

performance came to a close.

York embarks on a second year of uncertainty.

The clay spheres comprising the artwork were

Continuing

handmade by the artist. Bringing indigenous Mexican

sculpture and representative of his abiding interest in

agricultural practices to the United States, the spheres

organic processes beyond human control, Tabula Rasa

are vessels for new life, containing three types of seed

translates from Latin to "clean slate"—an opportunity to

—corn, squash, and bean—which sustain and nourish

start over without prejudice. Sodi's belief that "Life will

one another, finding an equilibrium that provides

always prevail" is fundamental to Tabula Rasa, which is

balanced sustenance. A potent metaphor for the

both a public artwork and a performance by the public,

necessity of cooperation and mutual assistance in times

timed to coincide with the last frosts of winter as the

of need, these symbiotic plants encourage reflection on

city emerges into spring.

PAGE 074

Sodi's

engagement

in

publicly-sited

This is the artist's second installation in Washington Square Park. Tabula Rasa is envisaged as a second chapter to Muro, a work by Sodi presented in the same location in New York in 2017. For the piece, Sodi invited the public to dismantle an 8-meterlong wall, constructed with 1,600 unique clay timbers that Sodi fired by hand at his studio in Oaxaca, México, with the help of local craftsman. The act of deconstructing this temporary wall, made and installed by Mexicans, rebuked the concurrent moves to limit border crossing into the United States and symbolized the breaking down of barriers between the two countries.

Clay's

ancient

resonance

and

material

simplicity appeal to Sodi, whose ongoing dialogue with nature and landscape has been shaped

by

his

interests

in

Japanese

aesthetics and Abstract Expressionism.

Bosco Sodi (b. 1970, Mexico City) is known for his richly textured, vividly colored large-scale paintings. Sodi has discovered an emotive power within the essential crudeness of the materials that he uses to execute his paintings. Focusing on material exploration, the creative gesture, and the spiritual connection between the artist and his work, Sodi seeks to transcend conceptual barriers.

Sodi leaves many of his paintings untitled, with

the

intention

of

removing

any

predisposition or connection beyond the work’s immediate existence. The work itself becomes a memory and a relic symbolic of the artist’s conversation with the raw material that brought the painting into creation.

Sodi’s influences range from l’art informel, looking to artists such as Antoni Tàpies and Jean Dubuffet, to master colorists such as Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and the bright hues of his native heritage. www.boscosodi.com PAGE 075

WORTH SAFEGUARDING

CARRIE MAKENNA

"I make artwork to remind people of their interconnection with each other, nature and the universe, while creating a respite from the challenges and stresses of life. It’s especially rewarding when people tell me they experienced or learned something from viewing my artwork."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

PUBLIC ART - WINTER ACTIVITIES

CARRIE MAKENNA

Carrie MaKenna is an American professional artist,

Through the mid-80s to mid-90s I pursued a career in

and the owner of Arts Carrie MaKenna Studio and

graphic design and quickly moved into management,

Gallery, and co-founder of D’art Gallery in Denver

while continuing to create artwork and exhibit in group

Colorado. She brings canvases alive with rich color,

and solo shows.

deep texture and uplifting meaning. Her subjects are diverse including abstracts, landscapes and

During the 1990s, I studied and taught a variety of

portraits alike.

world spiritual practices that nourish my art-making to this day. I co-founded a weekly, meditation and

Please tell us a bit about your background.

personal enrichment group in which I regularly

I was fortunate to grow up in an arts-oriented

included art-making exercises.

household during the 1970s. I took ceramics, painting, and jewelry-making in public school. Against my

I left the corporate world in the mid-1990s for a

family’s wishes I snuck into the Art Department at

Masters Degree in Art Therapy from the Naropa

Colorado State University and took graphic design

University in Boulder CO. It combined my three

because you could ‘make a living at it.’ I graduated with

greatest interests: psychology, spirituality and art.

a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in graphic design, with minors in painting and ceramics.

I always had my art studio at home until 2008 when my PAGE 077

ENTER THE UNIVERSAL CIRCLE - MOONBOX

PAGE 078

husband, Craig Rouse, and I moved to a block of artist studio/gallery spaces where we stayed for nine years. I was a founding member of Inspire! Arts Week Lakewood, an annual week-long, city-wide, celebration of the arts, which won the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence in 2016.

In 2017 I was invited to mount a solo exhibition at the Lakewood Cultural Center. I conceived and created my Enter The Universal Circle exhibit. I had already begun incorporating the Circle in my artwork, and this was my chance to fully explore it. I activated the entire space including the center of the room, the walls, ceiling and floor. At the same time I also organized a home studio tour for Artists living and ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS - RED SKY AT NIGHT

working in the City. My husband and I moved into studio/gallery space the 40 West Arts District in Denver in 2017. And in 2019 I co-founded D’art Gallery, a new Artist-owned contemporary gallery in the Arts District on Santa Fe Dr. Share with us some insight into your process, what attracts you to your preferred mediums and what do you feel when you are creating?

Although I have a BFA most of my artistic growth has occurred in my 30+ years of practice while exploring techniques, materials, processes, and style.

I’ve always leaned toward acrylic paint because it dries quickly. I wanted to get more paint on the canvas at once than I could with paint in tubes. I mentioned this and my husband casually said, “Why don’t you use liquid paint?” It was a huge

DAISY PETALS ALOFT

breakthrough.

I developed a specialized palette of twenty colors of

"Although I have a BFA most of my artistic growth has occurred in my 30+ years of practice while exploring techniques, materials, processes, and style."

liquid acrylics and experimented with a lot of ways to create texture. I use a thick acrylic paste on the canvas then add additional elements like dried paint and found objects before I add layers of paint.

When I’m working I enter a meditative mindset. I lose all sense of time and space, so I’ve learned to set an alarm every couple of hours. I may have an idea or direction to begin with, but I quiet my thoughts and have a conversation with the artwork.

I let each piece have a say in what it becomes. If I’m struggling, I know I’m thinking too much.

PAGE 079

ATMOSPERIC CONDITIONS - EXHIBIT 02

PAGE 080

How would you describe the unique DNA of your art and how your work relates to your location?

I was born and live in Denver-metro Colorado. I’m a fourth-generation

mountain

girl

and

spent

my

childhood outdoors. The forests, mountains, streams and lakes provide me sustenance, peace and inspiration. I have loved watching the skies above the

"The forests, mountains, streams and lakes provide me sustenance, peace and inspiration."

high desert plains of Denver my whole life.

ENTER THE UNIVERSAL CIRCLE - DUW

Art is literally in my DNA. My great-grandfather was a

Both my sisters also had careers in graphic design

sign painter in the 1900s-1930s. He also went into the

while also making fine art.

mountains west of Denver to paint oil landscapes en plein air. His daughter, my grandmother, as well as my

Denver and the west have always fostered a

mother were very artistic.

pioneering spirit. My family instilled an adventurous

I grew up watching my mother drawing, painting, and

spirit in me. My mother always said, “Rise and shine.

doing mosaics, silkscreen and stained glass.

And keep life interesting.”

PAGE 081

ENTER THE UNIVERSAL CIRCLE - MOONBOX - CRESCENT QUICKENING

"Art is literally in my DNA. My great-grandfather was a sign painter in the 1900s-1930s. He also went into the mountains west of Denver to paint oil landscapes en plein air."

PORTRAITS

PAGE 082

"The Universal Circle was one of the most impactful experiences of my career.

I created a journey of exploration through time, seasons, elements, moon phases and our solar system."

ATMOSPERIC CONDITIONS - EXHIBIT 01

How do you want your art to impact viewers and

It is a culmination of 30 years of interest, study,

what do they say when they discover your work?

practice and teaching about the Circle as a unique

I

their

Universal Pattern and Spiritual Resource. The Circle is

interconnection with each other, nature and the

found at the center of many spiritual traditions

universe, while creating a respite from the challenges

including the Native American Indian Medicine Wheel,

and stresses of life. It’s especially rewarding when

Celtic Stone Circles, Buddhist Tangkas and Hindu

people tell me they experienced or learned something

Mandalas among others. We experience the Circle

from viewing my artwork.

through the cycles of a minute, an hour, a day, month,

make

artwork

to

remind

people

of

year, decade, a lifetime. These are marked by the Please tell us about your artwork that has most

rotation and orbit of the Earth around the Sun, and the

impacted your career and why?

Moon around the Earth.

The interactive experiential exhibit I put on at the Lakewood Cultural Center titled Enter The Universal

Which artists have inspired you most?

Circle was one of the most impactful experiences of my

Throughout my childhood my mother was a significant

career. I created a journey of exploration through

artistic influence. In college I learned about a few

time, seasons, elements, moon phases and our solar

women artists such as Judy Chicago and Georgia

system. This exhibit and artwork represented a

O’Keefe. Two of my college art instructors, Richard

quantum leap forward for me as an art-maker, curator,

DeVore (ceramics) and Bruce Cody (drawing and

exhibition designer, and presenter.

painting), taught me to see deeply and explore a PAGE 083

ENTER THE UNIVERSAL CIRCLE - EXHIBIT

PUBLIC ART - BUTTERFLY BENCH

PAGE 084

D'ART GALLERY EXHIBIT

"Art has been and always will be essential to human experience. We are creative beings. We seek to create and to experience the creativity of others." variety

of

media

and

styles.

The

Abstract

landscape, and “Atmospheric Conditions” dealing with

Expressionists and Color Field artists of the 40s, 50s

the constantly changing sky over land and water. My

and 60s, along with Japanese artists Isamu Noguchi

"Couples" series represent all kinds of relationships:

and Kiyoshi Saito are important influences.

parents, siblings, friends, partners, lovers. This series started with seeing two 30 foot tall saguaro cactus

In 2016 I experienced the ground-breaking exhibit at

standing side-by-side in Arizona. They were more than

the Denver Art Museum called Women of Abstract

one hundred years old. I could only imagine the life

Expressionism curated by Gwen Chanzit. It was the

they had lived there next to each other. They had

first exhibit that focused on women like Lee Krasner,

experienced so much time, change, and growth

Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell. There was one

together. It made me think of the many long-time

particular piece that had a bit of aluminum foil tucked

relationships I’ve had and how unique and important

into the oils. I thought, “If she can put that in her work,

each one is.

I can do whatever I want!” In 2018 I joined the Women’s Caucus for Art Colorado Chapter and my life

What are your views on art's role in today's world?

changed dramatically. I had found a vibrant, active

Art has been and always will be essential to human

group of women artists who immediately drew me into

experience. We are creative beings. We seek to create

a new world of artists, exhibits, and activities I hadn’t

and to experience the creativity of others. Art creates

previously known.

meaning in our lives. I agree with the ideas advanced by the Abstract Expressionists that art has the power

Share with us some themes and concepts that you

to

convey

a

physical,

have explored and what you currently working on?

experience to the viewer.

emotional

and

spiritual

In addition to the Universal Circle I continue to explore several series, including “Bare Trees” focusing on how the unique silhouettes of trees frame the sky and

Website: www.artscarriemakenna.com PAGE 085

ILLYCAFFÈ LAUNCHES NEW ILLY ART COLLECTION

BY AI WEIWEI

illycaffè presents the new illy Art Collection by Ai

"I am very happy to be a part of the illy Art Collection. I

Weiwei, a personal interpretation of the renowned

think it is very important to give power to art and

series of art cups by the Chinese artist who is one of

design while drinking good coffee, because it affects

the 21st century's most influential people.

everybody's life. We should enjoy it," said Ai Weiwei.

This illy Art Collection has been inspired by Ai Weiwei's

"The project with Ai Weiwei is an exceptional event,"

famous Colored Vases which he created in 2006,

said Massimiliano Pogliani, illycaffè CEO, "and we have

taking ancient Neolithic vases and dunking them into

celebrated it with a particularly valuable and refined illy

industrial paint tins to reshape their look and function.

Art Collection. From a great personality, that has had a

Using a process of appropriation and destruction, Ai

huge impact on culture in recent years, speaking out

Weiwei takes ordinary objects away from their daily

about the complexity of contemporary society, often

context and transforms them into works of art.

ironically, we get an optical illusion, a hidden beauty which becomes manifest if we learn to see without the

"To express yourself needs a reason, but expressing

misconception of using one single perspective only. To

yourself is the reason," the perfect summary of the life

us, this is what the illy Art Collection project is: art

and the art of Ai Weiwei, which are closely entwined

providing an insight through beauty, and Ai Weiwei's

and have seen him become a conceptual artist,

artwork is new and brilliant evidence of this."

sculptor, painter, performer, photographer, architect and urban designer, collector, film director, actor,

About illy Art Collection

musician, writer and editor, blogger and selfie

Our passion for all that is beautiful and well made, our

professional, investigative journalist, human rights

keen interest in the world of contemporary art, and the

activist and dissident – a kaleidoscope of experiences

exceptional quality of our blend inspired us to combine

and perspectives.

the sensory pleasure of coffee with the aesthetic joys of art. As our canvas, we chose a simple, everyday object:

In his illy Art Collection, Ai Weiwei echoes all of this in a

the coffee cup. illy Art Collection began in 1992, based

familiar object and, with one of his typical unsettling

on an idea of Francesco Illy: it includes numbered art

acts, he invites us to explore our "position" and the

cups by over 100 international artists. Great artists such

perspective from which we look at the world at a given

as Marina Abramovic, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Louis

point in space and time, even just for the time it takes to

Bourgeois, Mark Quinn… as well as young creative

enjoy a coffee.

talents.

PAGE 086

Ai Weiwei was born in Beijing in 1957 and currently resides and works in Europe. He is renowned for making strong aesthetic statements that resonate with timely phenomena across today's geopolitical world. From architecture to installations, social media to documentaries, Ai uses a wide range of mediums as expressions of new ways for his audiences to examine society and its values. illycaffè is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933. Its mission has always been to offer the best coffee to the world. illycaffè produces a unique 100% Arabica blend, combining 9 of the best varieties in the world, selected by illycaffè: every day 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the best cafés, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafés and shops, at home. As a result of its innovations, illycaffè contributes to the coffee technology progress at global level.

In 1991, the "Premio Ernesto Illy de qualidade sustentavel do cafè para espresso" was launched in Brazil for quality espresso coffee. illycaffè has contributed to the sharing of the knowhow, paying growers a premium price for the best quality selected by illycaffè. Since 2016, with the "Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award", the company has celebrated coffee growers all over the world that, according to illy, have produced the best sustainable coffee.

Since 2013, the company has been in the list of the World Most Ethical Companies. In 2019, it enhanced its commitment to pursue a sustainable business model integrating the interest of people with the environment, adopting the status of Società Benefit and adding this commitment into its own bylaw.

PAGE 087

“PENDING FUTURES,” A VIRTUAL EXHIBITION OF RUSSIAN AND DUTCH NEW MEDIA ART

Art Catch has presented “Pending Futures,” a virtual

transform the digital space into a convenient and

exhibition of new media art by the students of the

harmonious one for both art creation and art

leading art institutions of the Netherlands and Russia.

presentation, thus allowing the artists to work in complete freedom and safety.

The international online magazine 300Magazine is pleased to share the news that the Utrecht-based

Art Catch has presented “Pending Futures” in a virtual

online gallery Art Catch has recently presented

space on the basis of V-Art platform, which was

“Pending Futures,” an innovative virtual exhibition of

created specifically to showcase new media art by the

new media art by alumni and students of the leading art

featured artists. The digital space is organized like a

institutions of the Netherlands and Russia. The

real art gallery to provide the visitors with a smooth

exhibition features carefully selected artworks in a

experience and give them an opportunity to enjoy

wide range of media, from 3D digital sculpture and

video, sound, and digital artworks to the fullest. The

animation to creative coding to video art. It runs at the

curator of the exhibition is Daria Kravchuk, an

online gallery through September 15, 2021.

experienced art manager, museologist, art curator, and art journalist.

“Pending Futures” is a Dutch-Russian art exhibition based on the idea of presenting digital space as a

“Pending Futures” is sponsored by WE Jansen Fonds

potentially safe and comfortable place to create and

and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It

exhibit art to an international public. The virtual art

is also supported by the art world’s digital domain .ART,

show allows the visitors to look at various new media

the international PR and art management company

artworks through the eyes of young and talented

TAtchers’ Art Management, the public program CADAF

artists who use digital tools for artistic expression and

Online, and the digital art platform V-Art. “Pending

self-reflection. All of the artists featured at “Pending

Futures” is indeed a breakthrough in the development

Futures” are alumni and students of the most well-

of new media art in the Netherlands and Russia and a

known art institutions in the Netherlands and Russia,

big step forward for the entire fine art industry.

including ITMO University, Art & Science Center in St. Petersburg,

the

Gerrit

Rietveld

Academie

in

Amsterdam, Institute of Contemporary Art in Moscow, and the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague, among others.

“Pending Futures” features a diverse selection of new media art by Dutch and Russian artists. These include video art, sound art, AI, 3D digital sculpture, creative coding, CGI, motion graphics, and 3D animation. All these artworks examine the existence of specific concepts, currents, and modalities that can help to PAGE 088

www.artcatch.art

FINE ART SHIPPERS SUPPORTS RUSSIAN CULTURE & ARTS

The NYC-based art logistics company Fine Art Shippers collaborates with many Russian artists, galleries, and museums to support Russian culture and arts.

The NYC-based art handling and shipping company Fine Art Shippers works closely with many Russian artists and galleries, supplying them with reliable and cost-effective art logistics services and helping them gain more recognition in the international art arena.

Fine Art Shippers also supports museums and other institutions dedicated to Russian art by making donations, as well as takes part in a wide range of

In addition to helping Russian artists, Fine Art Shippers

conferences and webinars aimed at preserving and

collaborates with Russian galleries and museums on a

promoting Russian culture and arts around the world.

variety of cultural projects. One of them is the Russian

Fine Art Shippers is a well-established art logistics

Icon Book created by the online gallery Russian Icon

company with headquarters in New York City. For over

Collection and the Museum of the Russian Icon in

25 years, Fine Art Shippers has been providing the art

Moscow. The company also participates in different

community and private collectors with professional art

international conferences and webinars dedicated to

handling and art shipping services ranging from art

Russian culture and arts.

packing and art transportation to art installation to art consulting. The company operates not only in the United

Fine Art Shippers supports Russian art both in Russia

States but also worldwide, shipping fine art and

and the United States. In particular, the company

antiques to/from European countries, Canada, Latin

makes donations to the Museum of Russian Art

America, China, United Arab Emirates, Russia, and

(TMORA) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to support the

more.

institution in pursuit of its mission, namely to promote understanding of the art, people, and history of Russia

Fine Art Shippers has established close relationships

and adjacent territories. The Museum of Russian Art

with the Russian art community over the years. The

offers educational programs, cultural presentations,

company not only provides local artists, galleries, and

and outstanding exhibitions of Russian art to gain its

museums with comprehensive art logistics services but

goals and preserve Russian culture outside of Russia.

also supports them in a variety of ways. One of their areas of activity directly relates to helping emerging

For more information about Fine Art Shippers, art

Russian artists from different fields promote their art

logistics services in Russia and the United States, and

and enter the international art scene. Fine Art Shippers

the latest news from the fascinating world of Russian

makes publications on different art blogs and platforms,

art, please visit the company’s website.

helps organize exhibitions, and does many other things to support the emerging talents from Russia.

www.fineartshippers.com PAGE 089

THE NEIGHBOR'S ASHES

SARAH MILTON

"I have been an artist my entire life. There isn’t a time I can think of when I wasn’t making something or thinking about creating something... My art has two sides/personalities, probably more, but two are visible to me. One side is emotional with a loose approach, and the other tends to be geometric and strategic."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

SARAH MILTON

Sarah Milton’s love of art was born in New England,

led me right here. It’s a very visible path. The moment

where she grew up in the rural town of Bridport,

art transitioned from being a hobby to a life-long

Vermont. Her artistic career has led to exhibiting in

venture is when Mr. Marshall Eddy; my high school art

gallery

and

teacher handed over a handwritten list of ten New

installing museum exhibitions, art conservation, and

England art colleges and encouraged me to pick three

custom picture framing.

and check them out. I probably never would have left

and

museum

shows,

fabricating

Vermont and dove headfirst into the artistic career Most recently her interview with Kristine Fisher on

that has led me here if he hadn’t recognized my talent

Cape Ann ARTWaves supported by 1623 Studios

and encourage me to explore the arts on a grander

aired on YouTube in December 2020 giving an

level. You see I had no plans of leaving Vermont and

overview of her life’s work.

continuing my education, but I left, and I went on to get my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Montserrat College

Please give us some insight into your background.

of Art and later my Masters in Museum Studies at

I have been an artist my entire life. There isn’t a time I

Harvard University.

can think of when I wasn’t making something or thinking about creating something. In hindsight I can

Art has led me to contribute to some extraordinary

see how everything I have ever done connects and has

projects and I remain in a creative career field.

PAGE 091

WHEN TRIANGLES MEET

"Art has led me to contribute to some extraordinary projects and I remain in a creative career field."

PAGE 092

FIFTEENTH OF APRIL

• From 2007-2008 I was an in-painter and assisted with the conservation and preservation of historic stage scenery from Vaudeville for Curtains Without Borders in Vermont. These National Treasures are HUGE and scaffolding is used to gain access to restore them and put them back into use in town halls and community centers.

• In 2009 I was selected as the Bowery Gallery’s Invitational Artist and had my first solo show in New York City.

• In 2013 I painted a mural for the Boston fire department inside Engine 41/Ladder 14 in Allston, Massachusetts to bring joy to the firemen/women, especially when they witness so much loss and devastation after the Boston bombing during the marathon.

• In 2018, I developed a color system and method for

RAILS

painting stone reproductions with consideration of colors, materials, and environment. I assisted Adam Aja, PhD in putting this long-term project into a museum exhibition titled From Stone to Silicone. This stunning exhibition transformed the third floor of the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East (formally the Harvard Semitic Museum) with large-scale Mesopotamian stone replicas, and when experienced in person they are larger-than-life.

Please give us some insight into your process.

I take big leaps and chances in my work. When I’m too comfortable with a painting I try to break it.

When I do, it’s usually one quick, scary and intense decision. Not knowing what will be lost or gained, these quick decisions are sometimes successful and encourage my work to go to the next level, and other times force me to take a step back. I will work with my art until it feels resolved, even if it means changing everything to make it right.

Many of my painting ideas come from exploring

"I take big leaps and chances in my work. When I’m too comfortable with a painting I try to break it."

neglected rural and urban architectural structures.

When a painting idea presents itself I draw or photograph it and then develop it further in the studio. Oil paint, spray paint, etching ink, and burnt wood are just a few of the materials used to get the effects I need. Various textures, edges, and shapes enter the picture when materials are manipulated using tearing, cutting, and scraping techniques.

PAGE 093

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

ABOVE AND BEYOND

PAGE 094

DEAR MR. FULLER

The layers of multiple media build a visual history, which enhances a believable spatial environment. This enables my artwork to evolve and become its own abstract reality.

How would you describe the unique DNA of your art?

"My work is abstract, colorful and textural, and it involves many materials, and is inspired by life events, people, and places."

My work is abstract, colorful and textural, and it involves many materials, and is inspired by life events,

THREE FACES

people, and places. My art has two sides/personalities,

they are journeys in which you linger and take your

probably more, but two are visible to me. One side is

time. You are effortlessly invited into these works that

emotional with a loose approach, and the other tends to

you soon forget their outside dimensions, but you will

be geometric and strategic.

remember their depth… But if you take what you experience as you spend time in them outside the

Share with us a memorable reaction to your art.

gallery walls, your perception of life in general will be

“These are not paintings that you just look at or study;

improved.” – Bob MacIntosh PAGE 095

DARK PLACES

FOR GALE

PAGE 096

MODERN SWINGER

"I’m consistently looking at what I’m painting from different points of view. As a working artist I learned early on that the sooner I began to zoom in and peek around and explore the better."

Share with us some of the themes and concepts

series of small works is called Mini Mondays.

that you have explored.

Most of my work explores the theme of “presence of

What is your favorite medium and why?

absence.” For example rundown barns and abandoned

Oil paint is my favorite medium. I love how workable,

train stations, old windows and doorways consisting of

rich in color, and forgiving it is. I enjoy working with so

shapes, shadows and textures. These structures have a

many materials, but oil is my go to.

purpose. What’s inside? What is behind or in front of them? It is a conscience attempt to invite the viewer to

Tell us about your location and how it influences

go back there without having to go back there. I’m

you.

consistently looking at what I’m painting from different

Parallel to my love of art is a love of fly-fishing. About

points of view. As a working artist I learned early on

four years ago I moved to the coastal town of

that the sooner I began to zoom in and peek around

Rockport, Massachusetts and started catching and

and explore, the better.

releasing a variety of saltwater fish species along beaches and in marshes. Being on the water fishing

What are you currently working on?

with incredibly talented fly fisherman and women who

I’m exploring weaknesses in my art in manageable and

understand the elements and have perfected the art of

realistic ways. Every Monday I create small-scale

fly fishing and fly-tying inspires me daily. Being apart

artwork from beginning to end in a single sitting,

of

practicing the art of simplifying and just letting a brush

constructing artificial flies using feathers, leather and

stroke be a brush stroke without overworking it. This

foam, taking into consideration adhesives, corrosion of

this

community

influences

my

designs

for

PAGE 097

HALLSPACE DRAWING PROJECT

BANDIT BAITFISH FLY PATTERN

PAGE 098

MY HEART PIECE

"Instead of being just a painter, which is how I viewed myself for many years, I now consider myself an artist." metals, and thread count. This involves observation,

How has your art evolved during your career?

imagination and using multiple materials to design and

Instead of being just a painter, which is how I viewed

create baitfish patterns that trick fish into eating them.

myself for many years, I now consider myself an artist.

Not only do artificial flies need to be well built and look

This change in how I see myself as a creative person

fabulous when out of water, but they also need to

acts as an umbrella for all media and art processes I

move in a fluid and believable motion when in water.

have adopted over time. This isn’t revolutionary I know, but instead of locking myself in a studio and letting no

Learning to understand how materials transform in

one else in, I am now making art where I am inviting

different elements, such as when they are dry vs. wet

others in and where others are inviting me to join them

requires exploration, trial and error.

in creative projects. An entire world has opened up with unlimited resources; talent and outlets meant to be

These artificial flies are an extension of me and they

shared and are inspirational.

have a similar look and feeling to them as my paintings do. They are colorful with many textures and shapes.

Website: www.sarahllmilton.com PAGE 099

MOOZEM - NFT NEEDS TO DESTROY YOUR PAINTINGS AND OTHER ARTWORKS NON-FUNGIBLE TOKEN (NFT) HAS GIVEN US THE ABILITY TO CREATE UNIQUE DIGITAL ARTIFACTS AND PROVE ITS AUTHENTICITY.

As digital art continues to gain popularity, people are looking to convert their physical works of art into a digital medium. Artists and collectors will have an opportunity to display their physical collections in digital form to the world in Moozem™ NFT Museums.

Visit www.moozem.com But why destruct?

Creating digital copies of physical items has been done for years. But it is not the copy that holds the value, same as buying a gift-shop print verses its original.

An immersive and thrilling experience unlike any

Non-fungible token (NFT) has given us the ability to

seen before.

create

unique

digital

artifacts

and

prove

its

authenticity.

Anyone can express their emotions and showcase their imagination for others to see, feel and hear.

The museums will house NFT collections and allow

An item can be converted to a digital artifact, but its

creation of premium and private galleries for high

value remains in the original. Transferring the value

value items. The opportunity to pick the name of

over to the digital item is done by destroying the

two of the museums is up for grabs, will it be you?

physical item. And what’s more, art owners will be able

Hurry before someone else does!

to earn pay-per-view by displaying their works in the

Moozem™ will be a complete trading and

museums which is a truly unique concept.

auctioning platform planned to be built on a secure blockchain infrastructure. Offering the

You might have something as valuable as an original

best user experience, it will allow anyone to easily

Monet to destroy, but NFT art can also be created from

create NFTs.

anything, be it sculptures, fine jewelry, or even hand painted sneakers. Art destruction is quickly becoming a

About Moozem www.moozem.com

hot topic for discussions around the world. Some will

The World’s First 9 NFT museums raised in honor of

love it and others will hate it, nonetheless the

the 9 Greek Muses. Moozem™ is currently under

technology is here to stay

development. Early enthusiasts can get on board now as founding members for exclusive offers and

Moozem™ NFT Museums

amazing deals. The excitement is building, will you be

We aim to create the most incredible collection of 9 NFT

part of it? The platform is being built by a team of

museums with unique themes and unbounded horizons.

industry leading experts. It is planned to be

Bringing together artists, creators, collectors and

developed over a safe and secure blockchain

visitors from around the world.

infrastructure in an environmentally conscious way.

PAGE 100

'ABANDONED PLANET' BY ANDRE GOVIA - WHAT THE END OF THE WORLD WOULD LOOK LIKE.

Andre Govia, a pioneer of urban exploration, continues his epic adventure in search of remnants of the past.

Returning for this long awaited edition, this time accompanied by other intrepid explorers who share the same passion.

The search continues . . . Abandoned Planet II leads the reader even deeper into the sphere of a hidden world left in plain sight. Join Andre and a collaborative band of intrepid urban explorers on a more expansive worldwide adventure to bring you new locations featuring the panoramic beauty of abandonment.

Beyond the clean lines of modern life, urban explorers

With over 200 stunning new locations spanning

hunt for the ever-growing dead spaces of the urban

overgrown

lunatic

world; where the mountains of debris pile up behind our

forgotten

‘progress’, bearing eerie testament to the inevitable

asylums,

industrial

complexes,

abandoned

palaces,

disused and

triumph of decay. The angel of history looks back

monasteries.

aghast at the accumulation of entropy and broken Layers of history, multi-hued peeling paint, antique objects

alongside

the

multitude

of

dreams, through the eye of Govia’s camera lens.

physical

manifestations all document the haunting poetic history

Having explored a myriad of individual locations, Andre

of lives left behind. Join an epic adventure through the

and his intrepid explorers take us on a journey behind

USA, France, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Italy, and

the facade of abandoned buildings to discover the

Canada through the eyes of an intrepid group of urban

hauntingly beautiful discoveries within. Nobody better

explorers as they showcase the haunting poetry of

captures the haunting poetry of these spaces, leading

these spaces.

you on an emotional journey through a world most will never see. Abandoned Planet brings you an epic

Andre Govia has spent the past 30 years establishing

collection of his work, never before seen in print. The

himself as one of the most pioneering urban exploring

pathos, the magic, the profound sadness of each image

photographers of his time. He has visited over 22

invites you to contemplate not only the eventual failure

countries and 800 locations on a quest to document the

of all human endeavour but also the difficult to

Narnia of global urban decay left behind by the march

describe, indistinct yearning for a world less civilised, a

of time.

nostalgia for wild spaces – for a lifeless time. Let the bittersweet melancholy of Andre Govia’s majestic

Abandoned Planet . . . The Search Continues is a

photography get under your skin. Welcome to Never

thought-provoking and haunting collection of images,

Never Land...

which could be considered the definitive document of cinematic abandoned photography.

Published by: www.carpetbombingculture.com PAGE 101

2021 MARKS 1000TH BIRTHDAY OF THE PERSIAN POET OMAR KHAYYAM Every single breath that in your lifetime passes, Breathe it as if everything its joy surpasses!

Beware that the world’s prime wealth are your breaths of life!

So, spend their coins such that joyfulness amasses!

— OMAR KHAYYAM (TAMDGIDI TRANSLATION)

June 2021, began a two-year period for celebration and commemoration of Omar Khayyam’s life, works, and legacy!

Omar Khayyam was born a thousand solar years ago on June 10, AD 1021 (Gregorian), at sunrise of Neyshabour, Iran. He passed away a centenarian at the solar age of 102 on his birthday, June 10, AD 1123 (Gregorian) in Neyshabour, closing “the circle of coming and going” of his life.

In commemoration of Omar Khayyam’s true birth date millennium and forthcoming ninth centennial of passing, transdisciplinary

sociologist

of

Iranian

descent

Mohammad H. Tamdgidi, Ph.D., has begun releasing in

Tamdgidi’s discovery of Omar Khayyam’s true dates of

a planned 12-book series, commonly titled “Omar

birth and passing (AD 1021-1123) were recently reported

Khayyam’s Secret: Hermeneutics of the Robaiyat in

in Book 2 of his 12-volume series. The first three books

Quantum Sociological Imagination,” the results of his

of the series were simultaneously released on June 1,

decades-long research on Khayyam, the enigmatic

2021, and are now available from major online

11th/12th centuries Persian Muslim sage, philosopher,

bookstores and many university library databases

astronomer, mathematician, physician, writer, and poet

worldwide, and from OKCIR: Omar Khayyam Center

from Neyshabour, Iran, whose life and works still

for Integrative Research.

remain behind a veil of deep mystery.

In terms of method, the series and its findings were Tamdgidi’s purpose has been to find definitive answers

made possible by unriddling the quantum enigma in

to the many puzzles still surrounding Khayyam,

transdisciplinary sociology as reported in an earlier

especially regarding the existence, nature, and purpose

study published by OKCIR last year, titled “Liberating

of the Robaiyat in his life and works. To explore the

Sociology:

questions posed, he has advanced a new hermeneutic

Imaginations: Volume 1: Unriddling the Quantum

method of textual analysis, informed by what he calls

Enigma” (Jan. 2020), also authored by Tamdgidi. The

the quantum sociological imagination, to gather and

series on Khayyam serves as an applied setting to to

study

demonstrate the fruitfulness of the research findings

all

the

attributed

philosophical,

scientific, and literary writings of Khayyam.

PAGE 008

religious,

From

Newtonian

Toward

Quantum

reported in the earlier book on the quantum enigma.

As the author explains in detail in Book 2, the currently

became possible because of having learned how

held dates of birth and passing for Omar Khayyam (AD

essential

1048-1131) are entirely and demonstrably wrong, having

engagement

also driven Khayyami studies astray for many decades.

composing the Robaiyat. Tamdgidi write, “all this now

Ironically, according to Tamdgidi, Iran and the world

call for a need for hermeneutic reconsideration of all

have been commemorating the legacy of a genius

extant Khayyami quatrains.”

(not

incidental) with

highly

traditional

nuanced

astrology

critical was

in

(among other talents) calendar reformer from Iran— someone who, now we know as a senior scholar, led a

June 10, 2021, began a two-year period for joyful

team of distinguished astronomers to reestablish a solar

celebration and commemoration of Omar Khayyam’s

calendar in Iran that is still the most precise in the

life, works, and legacy, one that begins from his true

world—on erroneous and in part absurdly conjectured

birth date millennium and will culminate on the ninth

birth and death calendar dates.

centennial of the true date of his passing two years from now, on June 10, 2023. According to Tamdgidi, “it

Tamdgidi has also reported in Book 3 of the series his

will be a while before interested scholars and Khayyam

discovery for the first time of the origins of Omar

lovers worldwide will appreciate the accuracy and

Khayyam's "tent-maker" pen name, which became

significance of the new findings being reported in my

possible also due to the discovery of Khayyam's true

new series. But, it is now a matter of historical record

birth date that offered an accurate knowledge of the

that Omar Khayyam’s true dates of birth and passing

geometry of his correct birth horoscope.

were joyfully discovered by someone of his own Iranian descent just in time before the millennium of his birth

Tamdgidi has further discovered, as reported also in

and the forthcoming ninth centennial of his passing.”

Book 3 of the series, a non-"wandering" signature quatrain accurately pointing to the whereabouts of the

Mohammad H. (Behrooz) Tamdgidi, Ph.D., is the

correct Gemini degree in its composer's birth chart as it

founding director and editor of OKCIR: Omar

has now been discovered, a quatrain that also hints at

Khayyam Center for Integrative Research in Utopia,

the intended composition of a 1000-Robaiyat divan.

Mysticism, and Science (Utopystics) (www.okcir.com)

Another Khayyami quatrain that has traditionally been

and its journal, "Human Architecture: Journal of the

ignored or dismissed telling of its composer's having

Sociology of Self-Knowledge" (ISSN: 1540-5699),

turned hundred in age was also found to be definitively

which

traceable to Omar Khayyam. Per Tamdgidi’s findings, a

independent research, pedagogical, and publishing

sample translation and reading of fifty more or less

initiatives.

have

served

since

2002

to

frame

his

ignored Khayyami quatrains also revealed that in fact they are traceable to Omar Khayyam; this finding

Tamdgidi holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in sociology in conjunction with a graduate certificate in Middle Eastern studies from Binghamton University (SUNY). He received his B.A. in architecture from U.C. Berkeley.

Other than his series currently in progress on Omar Khayyam, he has previously authored “Liberating Sociology:

From

Newtonian

Toward

Quantum

Imaginations: Volume 1: Unriddling the Quantum Enigma (Okcir Press, 2020), "Gurdjieff and Hypnosis: A Hermeneutic Study" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) and "Advancing Utopistics: The Three Component Parts and Errors of Marxism" (Routledge/Paradigm, 2007). He is a former associate professor of sociology specializing in social theory at UMass Boston and has taught sociology at SUNY-Binghamton and SUNY-Oneonta.

PAGE 008

TEXTURE LOVE

NANCY ECKELS

"I paint off the top of my head with little feel for where I’m going. As patterns begin to emerge on the canvas, I am able to find a direction and a composition. I paint what is in my head and my imagination rather than what is in front of my eyes."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

SEA SPLASH

NANCY ECKELS

Nancy Eckels was born in New York and grew up in

to writing for a game show. I ended up my television

Utah before she moved to Los Angeles, California

career as a director on the CBS daytime drama, “The

where she now resides. After a 25-year career in

Bold and the Beautiful”.

television, she moved on to make painting her fulltime occupation. Her painting career has now

After 25 years, I decided to pursue what my sister had

spanned 22 years and many abstract paintings.

already left her career to do… paint. I began doing art festivals and shows, I participated in galleries, and I

Please share with us a bit about your background.

sold from my website. I took classes and workshops

It was inevitable that I would make art at some point in

from several prestigious artists. A whole new life

my life. My mother and father met in an oil painting

opened up. Twenty-two years have gone by and I

class, and my mother continued to paint and sculpt

have given up the very physically difficult festivals and

throughout her long life. I dabbled at it off and on as I

concentrated on growing my sales both from online

grew up, doing drawings of my favorite celebrities,

galleries and my own website.

playing around with crayons and graduating to paint as I got older. My first love was show business though,

Please describe your process.

and I spent 25 years working in television doing

Most of my paintings are done with acrylic paint, and a

everything from answering phones when I started out,

majority of them also involve texture medium. The PAGE 105

FISSURE

ATTEMPT TO CONTAIN

PAGE 106

medium, which is the consistency of spackle, is applied, shaped and sculpted in various thicknesses and patterns and left to dry for a couple of days. It is then sanded to eliminate the sharp edges. Once that is done, it’s ready for paint application. I use a lot of different tools to apply the paint. I have brushes, scrapers, rubber spatulas, and heavy duty paper towels. I paint off the top of my head with little feel for where I’m going. As patterns begin to emerge on the canvas, I am able to find a direction and a composition. I paint what is in my head and my imagination rather than what is in front of my eyes.

How do you want your art to impact viewers?

WINDING WATER

I like my art to impact the viewer because of it’s color, scope, and beauty. I’m not a “message” painter. I want my paintings to please the eyes and the soul.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I have been doing a lot of work with ocean colors. I’m from California and love the ocean.

I love to dive and snorkel and visit tropical places, and the blues, turquoises, and colors of dry and wet sand hold a fascination for me. I still paint with all kinds of colors, but blues get me going every time.

What are your favorite mediums?

I like working with acrylic paint because it allows me to do what I do in a more efficient way. Acrylic is quick-drying which is great for me since I do a lot of layering of paint and it needs to be dry when you

SPLASH AND SPLATTER

apply the next layer. Even with acrylic paint drying so quickly, I am often seen using a hair dryer to speed up the process. The texture medium allows me to not only do a bit of sculpting, but gives me

"I like my art to impact the viewer because of it’s color, scope, and beauty. I’m not a “message” painter. I want my paintings to please the eyes and the soul."

interesting ways to use the paint over the texture. It completely changes the way the paint layers.

What do you feel when you are creating?

When I am creating, it’s all encompassing. If I am deeply involved in the composition, I have often let the outside world slip away. I’ve been known to lose track of time, forget doctor appointments, and miss meals. One interesting thing that I do when I’m painting is listen to books on tape. For some reason, my interest in the story line keeps that portion of my PAGE 107

GOLDEN ISLANDS

OCEAN ENVY

PAGE 108

brain from overthinking the painting. It seems to allow the creative part to flow while the analytical part is caught up in the book.

Please tell us about your location and how it impacts your creativity?

"My current location in California has influenced my current colors and focus on the feel and look of the ocean"

My current location in California has influenced my current colors and focus on the feel and look of the

COOLING TREND

ocean, but when I was a child, my parents took my

How has your art evolved during your career?

sister and I to many national parks. My father was an

My art has evolved over the years not only in how I

amateur photographer and deeply appreciated the

paint, but what I paint. There are still bits and pieces of

natural world, an appreciation that he passed on to me.

the look my paintings had decades ago, but they have

I was exposed to so much natural beauty in my

definitely evolved and will continue to do so. I have

younger years, and that has continued throughout my

come to realize that my art career is not something that

life. I’m positive that all of that has colored what I

I will be retiring from, but something that I love to do.

produce in my studio.

Most likely I will pass on with a brush in my hand.

PAGE 109

WHEN PASSION PREVAILS

WARM UNDERCURRENT

PAGE 110

SEA WALL 2

"My art has evolved over the years not only in how I paint, but what I paint. There are still bits and pieces of the look my paintings had decades ago, but they have definitely evolved and will continue to do so. ..my art career is not something I will be retiring from, but something that I love to do. Most likely I will pass on with a brush in my hand."

PAGE 111

COOL MOTION

REFRESHING

PAGE 112

DREAMING OF LAKES AND SEAS

What has your art career taught you?

Having my own business has helped me develop increased discipline in my life. I realized early on that if I didn’t do what was needed, nothing would happen. If I didn’t make a painting that appealed, no one would want it, so I worked on it until it appealed to me, and I am the toughest critic. Even though art is a creative career, you cannot wait for inspiration to smack you in the head before you paint. Inspiration sometimes kicks in only after you start applying paint to the canvas.

You must consistently be in the studio whether you feel like it or not.

NANCY ECKELS

Website: www.nancyeckels.com PAGE 113

TAKASHI MURAKAMI ENTERS THE GAMING SPACE WITH FAZE CLAN THE FIRST-EVER GAMING COLLABORATION BY TAKASHI MURAKAMI

FAZE CLAN & TAKASHI MURAKAMI LAUNCH LIMITED-EDITION COLLABORATION. THE WORLD RENOWNED CONTEMPORARY ARTIST ENTERS THE GAMING SPACE FOR THE FIRST TIME ALONGSIDE FAZE CLAN FaZe Clan, the world-renowned gaming organization, has partnered with iconic contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, to release limited-edition gaming and esports merchandise collaboration.

This is notably the first-ever gaming collaboration to come from Murakami and a dream come true for FaZe Clan to usher him into the community.

Takashi Murakami says of the partnership, "when I was

The FaZe Clan x Takashi Murakami collection, which

a university student, Warhol made paintings in

includes an esports jersey along with several large and

collaboration with Basquiat and it was much talked

small mouse pads, will be available exclusively on the

about. For Warhol, who was past 50, to collaborate

NTWRK app ranging from $50-$100.

with Basquiat, the young superstar, seemed to me as though the former was sucking up to the youth, and I

Lee Trink, CEO of FaZe Clan says of the partnership,

looked on feeling a bit sorry for him. Then, they both

“All of us at FaZe are humbled by Takashi Murakami’s

passed away. A little over a decade later, the once-

decision to collaborate with us on this special project.

incongruous collaborative paintings, which had seemed

To work with an iconoclast, visionary, and cultural seer

to feature the generational divide as the sales point,

is an honor. Myself and many members of FaZe have

started to look very fresh, like an embodiment of the

admired Takashi Murakami’s work and the impact he’s

situation of their time. I must now be older than Warhol

had on culture for years. We’re grateful that he has

then, and I suspect the members of FaZe Clan are

trusted us to shepherd his artwork into the gaming

younger than Basquiat was. Some people may think our

community, which we see as a historic moment for FaZe

pairing rather incongruous, but in 30 years' time, the

Clan and all of gaming.”

meaning of this collaboration within art historical context will perhaps be reviewed and reassessed. And

FaZe Clan has been elevating the lifestyle of gaming on

so, while I felt a bit shy about doing a collaboration

all levels since their inception and this collaboration

with such young people, I went along with their

further establishes the organization as the leader of the

request, trusting in the freshness of the landscape the

convergence between streetwear and gaming cultures.

future audience will see in this project.”

In the past, they have worked closely with brands like

PAGE 008

Anti-Social Social Club, Champion, Warren Lotas,

Takashi Murakami, b. 1962 in Tokyo, Japan

Lyrical Lemonade, Siberia Hills and BE@RBRICK as

The originator and proponent of Superflat theory,

well as dropping an exclusive collection with Juice

which reconstructs Japanese traditional paintings and

WRLD amongst others. FaZe Clan has also launched

the origin of Japanese contemporary art through visual

incredibly successful merchandise lines and member

premises of anime and manga.

collections for their roster of talent including FaZe Swagg, whose collection sold out in under 2 hours as

Murakami has created numerous characters including

well as a collaboration with Offset which was

Miss Ko2 and Mr. DOB that reflect the otaku culture

introduced at a pop-up shop on Melrose with a massive

and presents them in the forms of intentionally kitsch

line extending multiple blocks.

sculptures and acutely two-dimensional paintings antithetical to the Western perspective techniques.

Since its inception in 2010, FaZe Clan has established

Murakami’s cultural theory based on subcultures not

itself as the world’s most prominent and influential

only deconstructs the highbrow/lowbrow hierarchy but

gaming organization known for its disruptive original

critically illustrates the post-World War II Japanese

content and hyper-engaged global fanbase of over

psychology, establishing a discourse unique to Japan in

350 million combined across all social platforms. FaZe

the increasingly globalizing art scene. The artist

Clan holds an unrivaled position at the epicenter of

continues to attract a wide-ranging audience beyond

gaming, sports, culture and entertainment, driving how

contemporary art through his multifaceted activities

the next generation consumes content, plays and

including his collaboration with Louis Vuitton and

shops. Their roster of 85 influential personalities

focuses on street culture and contemporary ceramics.

consists of world-class gamers, engaging content creators and a mix of talent beyond the world of

The final installment of his Superflat trilogy of curated

gaming, including NBA star Ben Simmons, Lebron

exhibitions, Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding

“Bronny” James Jr and Lil Yachty. The organization’s

Subculture (New York, 2005), was awarded The Best

unmatched esports division includes nine competitive

Thematic Museum Show in New York by AICA that

teams in Call of Duty League (Atlanta FaZe), Fortnite,

year. His first retrospective, ©MURAKAMI (2007 -

FIFA, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Rainbow Six, VALORANT,

2009) toured four cities in North America and Europe,

Rocket League and CS:GO with dozens of world

starting with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los

championship trophies among them. In addition, FaZe

Angeles. He has since been holding major solo

Clan has become a sought-after fashion and lifestyle

exhibitions around the world, including at the Palace of

brand through an inspired apparel line and limited-

Versailles (2010), Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall (Doha, 2012),

edition

including

the Mori Art Museum (Tokyo, 2015), the Garage

Lyrical

Museum of Contemporary Art (Moscow, 2017), and Tai

collaborations

Champion,

NFL,

with

Manchester

partners City

FC,

Lemonade, Kappa, CLOT, LA Kings, and more.

Kwun Contemporary (Hong Kong, 2019).

PAGE 008

DUSTIN MILLER TRANSFORMS PROMENADE WITH SCULPTURE "HE ENJOYS INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF THE EARTH INTO HIS ALUMINUM SCULPTURES." Dustin Miller, an internationally renowned metal

awards since middle school. Dali Museum has awarded

sculpture artist, created a large sculpture called Vapor

him several surrealism recognitions for his drawings.

in The Promenade at Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania. The tall, abstract sculpture gloriously highlights an exclusive

What impressed us most is Dustin’s inspiration. He

water fountain in the luxurious community. The project

enjoys incorporating elements of the earth into his

developers BET Investments installed the work of art

aluminum sculptures such as water, wind, fire,

for the residents to enjoy.

plants, and anything organic. Dustin has a relentless desire to create, motivating him to use his talents to

When

asked

about

the

inspiration

behind

the

build masterpieces worldwide. His love for architecture

spectacular artwork, Dustin replied, “I wanted the

and art allows him to develop the most magnificent

sculpture to enhance the natural beauty of the fountain

sculptures of different sizes. He has worked with

instead of distracting from it. The goal was to build an

notable brands like Netflix, Hilton Hotels, the University

impactful, fun, and dynamic piece that changes shape

of Colorado, and more.

from every angle. I integrated the artwork to allow multiple fountains to spray from the bottom, highlighting

We

recommend

sending

an

email

to

the water’s aesthetic appeal.”

info@dustinmillergallery.com for a free consultation.

Please note that the Dustin Miller Gallery operates

Apart from large metal sculptures, Dustin also creates

strictly by appointment only.

freestanding and wall sculptures. He showed an aptitude for art at a young age, winning prestigious PAGE 116

Website: www.dustinmillergallery.com

ABI SALAMI FEATURED IN GALLERY 1202'S ARTSY EXHIBIT Gallery 1202 presented "From Behind the Shadow of a Cactus," an online exclusive solo show featuring a new body of work by Nigerian American artist Abi Salami.

The show took place exclusively online, from May 8, 2021.

From "Behind the Shadow of a Cactus" is a body of eight works that follows eight fictional black/African women on their path towards healing. Based in Rerinia,

About Abi Salami

a fictional, parallel universe where Black women can

Salami is a self-taught artist who explores the uncanny

escape to when the pressures of Earth become too

in the everyday. She allows her subconscious and life

much to bear, the women are encouraged by the

experiences to inform her paintings. Salami feels

Mother to heal, forgive, and grow. They can stay as

compelled to create and capture moments in time and

long as necessary to feel strong enough to return to

life to express her thoughts and feelings. Salami's work

Earth. Each woman's path to healing is different, and

uses a personal lexicon made up of special symbols to

each of them must overcome their inner demons to

explore

reach their Higher Self. Salami's mastery of the canvas

Destigmatizing mental illness in African communities is a

results in emotion-evoking images, bold colors, and

huge passion for Salami.

memory,

mental

health,

and

race.

captivating stories that create depth and pique curiosity in her audience.

Lagos, Nigeria born, Salami is based in Dallas, Texas.

At the University of Texas in Austin, Salami got her

In Behind the Shadow of a Cactus, Salami paints

MPA in Accounting and went on to a decade-long

figures of Black women in realistic manners while

career in real estate before realizing her passion for art

intertwining

lines

as a full-time career. Since then, Salami has exhibited in

between Earth and reality with Rerinia, a fictional world

Dallas and across the United States, including at The

of healing. In works like "A Farewell to My Battle

Women's Museum, the African American Museum of Art

Scars," and Higher Self," the female figure in Rerinia is

in Dallas, and Viridian Artists Inc in New York City.

depicted breaking through and healing. Through her

One of her many accolades is the Saatchi Art 2020

body of work, Salami offers an escape for viewers, an

Rising Stars under 35 Class mention. Salami's features

understanding of worldly pressures, and a calming

include FOX16 Morning News, Artsy, D Magazine, and

feeling of sisterhood.

Voyage Magazine.

surreal

elements,

blurring

the

PAGE 117

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JAN STRATTON

"Plein air painting can be challenging. Being outdoors in all that beauty and quiet is inspiring and joyful but you do have to contend with lugging your art gear over hill and dale, the Oklahoma wind, “critters”, deciding quickly on your subject and painting quickly, too, because that light’s going to change, no matter what."

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JAN STRATTON

Jan Stratton grew up in New Jersey but has spent

theater productions, and painting which she began

her adult life in Oklahoma. She retired there in 2014

in

after almost 34 years in broadcast television. She

watercolor lessons with local artist Tom Biggs,

was hired as Public Affairs Director at KSWO-TV in

classes with Katherine Liontas-Warren at Cameron

1980

University and Matthew Hughes of Leslie Powell

in

Lawton

but

moved

into

the

News

Department within a few months. Her first duties

earnest

after

retiring.

She

began

taking

Gallery.

were as field reporter and photographer and quickly

moved

on

to

producer,

anchor

and

She continued her learning in workshops with noted

ultimately News Director. She remained on the

artists Mary Whyte and Christine Lashley. She

anchor desk until her retirement.

picked up her oils a few years later and since, has had workshops with acclaimed artists Kathleen

She was inducted into the Oklahoma Broadcasters’

Dunphy, Qiang Huang, Tina Garrett and Peggy

Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Oklahoma

Immel. Jan’s both a studio and plein air artist.

Journalism Hall of Fame in 2014.

She’s married to retired Comanche County Judge Arts have always been a big part of Jan’s life—

Bill Stratton. They have a combined family of six

playing piano, performing in dozens of community

adult children and 15 grandchildren.

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"It’s still hard but I love being outside in all that beauty.

So even if the painting stinks, I still have that."

PAGE 120

Please tell us about artists that have inspired you.

I’m awed by the old masters for their color work (how did they get those gorgeous pigments so long ago?), the realism, the edges. When I see the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, da Vinci and the rest in person, I get my nose right up to the painting because I want to see how they did

what

they

did.

But

my

favorites

are

the

Impressionists—Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, Manet— so many. I love Monet because he’s known for painting outdoors. He wasn’t the first but he may be the most famous. He painted what he saw but was not a slave to it—identifiable subjects but painterly. I too, love to paint outdoors and no one is more surprised than I! I found it incredibly hard in the beginning and only did it because my first workshop took me to France, I’d paid good UNTITLED

money for it and, of course, my surroundings were spectacular. Now I love it! It’s still hard but I love being outside in all that beauty. So even if the painting stinks, I still have that.

My modern-day inspirations are many. Just a few are Kathleen Dunphy, Howard Friedland, Richard Schmid, Mary Whyte, Peggy Immel, Christine Lashley, and my good friend, artist and fellow plein air painter, Katherine Liontas -Warren.

What are you currently working on?

I always have several “works-in-progress”. (I like to let pieces “rest” while I decide what else, if anything, they need. Also, I tend to lose some values if I paint a lot of wet-on-wet.). One of those pieces I’m calling “Three Bags Full”. My daughter and I pulled over while on our way to Taos before the pandemic to have fun and paint when we saw dozens of sheep. Of course, as soon as we got out of the car to take their pictures, they scattered— except for three of them. We got a photo of their

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backsides and I thought it was funny. Ergo, the title. I worry I’ve overworked but I’m close to finishing—I think!

And I’m excited to say I’m going to have a show in a wonderful Oklahoma art space, The Vault, in a few

"I always have several “worksin-progress”. (I like to let pieces “rest” while I decide what else, if anything, they need."

weeks. There are four other artists, all very talented and skilled, so I’m in good company. All our art has been created en plein air. Now I’m choosing which ones to show, getting them getting them framed and all the rest that goes into it. I kept very close to home in 2020 so didn’t enter or go to any galleries or shows. 2021 already is better. Fingers crossed it remains that way.

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Please tell us about your location.

I’ve lived most of my adult life in southwest Oklahoma, less than hour from the Texas border. It’s Great Plains Country—not a lot of green rolling hills, very few really tall trees— but not quite the Desert Southwest, with its mesas, canyons, cactus and mountains. But we do have our own natural beauty and it’s in my city’s

"...we do have our own natural beauty and it’s in my city’s backyard—the Wichita Mountains."

backyard—the Wichita Mountains, home to one of the country’s more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges.

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It’s home to longhorn, elk, deer and the majestic bison

up and spend several hours lost in our painting. Plein

where they’re free to roam over the thousands of

air painting can be challenging. Being outdoors in all

acres of rugged terrain. And that’s where my plein air

that beauty and quiet is inspiring and joyful but you do

buddies and I spend much of our painting time. It is

have to contend with lugging your art gear over hill

truly spectacular, with rugged and rocky outcroppings,

and dale, the Oklahoma wind, “critters”, deciding

lakes, hiking trails and camping areas. We often head

quickly on your subject and painting quickly, too,

to Lost Lake, Rush Lake or Quanah Parker Lake, set

because that light’s going to change, no matter what.

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"I can stand at the easel for long hours. I enjoy it so much, I lose track of time.

But even when they’re not, I’m learning and loving it all, even if the piece is not “frame worthy”!"

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I keep some of my paintings “as is”, save for a little

But when things aren’t working, I often put the piece to

neatening-up in the studio. Some I can use as studies.

the side for a few days. I check my composition,

Other times, I’ll take photos of longhorns or bison close

values, cools and warms (not so easy for me). And I

to the road. I’ve painted many of those. And if I decide

take a picture of it. It’s usually then that I see it— the

my plein air painting isn’t worth saving, I still have that

culprit that’s messing up my anticipated beautiful

wonderful outing with my friends doing what I love.

painting! It could be my proportion is off (oh, yes... some things seem to “grow” while painting, despite

What do you feel when you are creating?

your accurate sketch) and you’ve lost your values

In a word—happy! I make sure sure my palette and

which can make a potentially good painting lackluster

brushes are neat and clean. If they’re not, my

and just plain boring. If things are going well, I can

paintings might not be, either. I ask Alexa to play

stand at the easel for long hours. I enjoy it so much, I

music (either classical or Broadway) and then start my

lose track of time. But even when they’re not, I’m

rough sketch. At that point, I’m full of anticipation,

learning and loving it all, even if the piece is not “frame

confidence and optimism. You might call it “great

worthy”!

expectations” since I have my vision of how I want my piece to look and I always believe I can meet them.

What attracts you to your favorite mediums?

The short answer is it depends on what I want from the

And once in a while I even do! That’s when I force

piece. Soft, pretty, ethereal— watercolor is wonderful

myself to put the brush down and walk away before I

for that. But for anything else, I bring out the oils. Then

muddy things up.

there’s the long version: I’ve settled into oils after PAGE 125

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"I love the ability to lay the paint down with strong brush strokes, play with hard and soft edges, work in layers and, of course, the ability to change what’s not working."

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"I’ll always keep my watercolors handy but I do love my oils!" working for a few years in watercolor. When I was

Watercolor is beautiful. You’re able to create soft,

very young, I often worked in charcoal and pastel. I

luminous and ethereal art with lots of white showing

liked them because I was a pretty good drawer and felt

through. But at the same time, you can lay down

I could control them and not mess up my original

vibrant colors and hard edges if that’s your style. It

drawing by slopping paint on it! I still like graphite for

was mine. I found out I wasn’t the soft, loosey-goosey

the same reason although I’ve only used it a few times.

sort. I tried but I loved strong colors and working in

(Graphite is so forgiving—or seems to be. You can fix

layers too much. A gallery owner friend told me I should

most mistakes pretty easily.)

try oils and she actually gave me a couple introductory lessons in them. I was hooked. I’ll always keep my

The truth is I started in watercolor after I retired

watercolors handy but I do love my oils! I love the

because that’s what Tom Biggs taught. I’d met him a

ability to lay the paint down with strong brush strokes,

couple times and then saw him on the street in his home

play with hard and soft edges, work in layers and, of

of nearby Medicine Park (a quaint, cobblestone

course, the ability to change what’s not working. I read

community known now for its artistic and funky vibe). I

that an artist said he’ll work on a bad painting until it’s a

asked if he’d teach me and he agreed. Little did I know

good one. That may be purely subjective but I’m a bit

those classes would change my life in so many

like that. I have to fight against trying to make a pretty

wonderful ways, from meeting and becoming very

good painting better and risk ruining it or if it’s not

good friends with fellow artists and, of course, the art

working at all, I stubbornly keep at it. Sometimes it

itself. Watercolor is not very forgiving so I was forced

DOES get better. Other times, I should’ve walked

to think and plan rather than just start slopping paint

away.

down. It can be darn hard— goof and you have to scurry to clean up your mistake or figure out how to make it work.

Website: www.janstratton.com PAGE 127

LORENZO MARINI LAUNCHES ALPHATYPE 21 A 3D VIRTUAL ART AND POETRY EXHIBIT

A virtual exhibit exploring typography and color in

the last few years, I've succeeded in rebuilding the

mixed media and installation works merging visual art

dialog between form and content, exploring cartoons,

and poetry.

advertising, and the silence of white. I reached the finish by combining my love for futurism with studying

Lorenzo Marini, an Italian creative director, author and

Asian calligraphy. I believe that letters are born free

artist, has partnered with the Italian Cultural Institute

and like people, are social creatures but they are also

in Los Angeles to launch ALPHATYPE21, a virtual and

individuals. It's time we celebrated the beauty of the

interactive 3D exhibit of art and poetry available

geometry that underlies them and leave the herd of

through August 29, 2021.

alphabetic type behind. They are not just necessary for reading and writing, but also for feeding our

The Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, under the

imagination."

auspices of the Consulates General of Italy in Los Angeles and Houston, will present the interactive 3D

The 14 artworks on show retrace the journey begun

exhibition curated by Peter Frank.

with Marini's manifesto for the liberation of letters. The exhibition will include two "Alphatype" works and two

After a preview at the 2020 LA Art Fair, Los Angeles is

"Snowtype" works. At the center of the exhibition

now hosting a full exhibition celebrating the artistic

space, the artist has created a dynamic installation: a

journey of the founder of the "TypeArt" movement that

homage to the fountains of Italy, in which the gush of

finally set letters free. "For Lorenzo Marini, art is a

water is replaced by the gush of letters. The virtual

voyage of catharsis in search of the 'Word'. So, for

exhibit will be available through August, 29th 2021,

Marini, art represents that meaning, that word, that has

and can be accessed here. Italian Cultural Institute Los

filled and continues to fill every day with the "silence"

Angeles, www.iiclosangeles.esteri.it. Free admission.

of daily life." said Peter Frank, the exhibition's curator.

About Lorenzo Marini: Lorenzo Marini explains his bond with Los Angeles and

An Italian artist who lives and works in Milan, Italy, Los

the importance of this exhibition: "Los Angeles is the

Angeles and New York. Marini attended the Academy

only city where I can talk about my artistic

of Fine Arts in Venice, where he was mentored by

development and feel utterly at home. Here in Los

Emilio

Angeles, color, vibrant energy, open-mindedness, and

architecture, he spent the next thirty years building a

the quest for innovation are part of everyday life. Over

successful career in advertising.

PAGE 128

Vedova.

After

obtaining

his

degree

in

In 2016 Marini had an artistic epiphany that led him to celebrate the beauty of letters. In 2017, fresh from this success, he published his manifesto for the liberation of Type, in so doing becoming the founder of a new art form: that of devoting an artwork to each individual letter of the alphabet, liberating letters from their duty of function in order to celebrate their pure intrinsic beauty.

In Visual, his first phase, Marini's paintings can be read as the translation of advertising campaigns into contemporary art, with a rigorous logic of spaces and equilibria. But in this second artistic phase, they can also be read as a revolutionary interpretation of the pop beauty of the contemporary alphabet.

The Italian Cultural Institute Los Angeles The ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA, LOS ANGELES - Where ITALY comes to you is an office of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and

International

Cooperation

founded in 1984 to promote Italian Culture in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Directed by Valeria Rumori since 2015, the Institute promotes Italian language and culture

through

courses

and

events

organized in collaboration with numerous local

institutions

and

Italian

American

organizations, with the goal of presenting Italy's cultural richness and contributions in architecture,

cinema,

design

literature,

music, science, technology, theater and the visual arts.

Since the start of the international health emergency, the Institute has offered a rich online Italian language program and events including webinars, exhibitions, concerts, film screenings

and

original

content

videos

published on its YouTube channel. www.iiclosangeles.esteri.it PAGE 129

THE DOG PAINTER OF HENLEY COMPLETES 2000 PORTRAITS OF DOGS OF HENLEY-ON THAMES IN THE UK "I CAN USE IMAGES YOU PROVIDE, TO CREATE A LEGACY OF YOUR FAMILY DOG. PLEASE DON’T LEAVE IT TILL YOUR DOG HAS DIED, THAT UPSETS ME SO ANYTIME AFTER A YEAR IS BEST FOR A DOG PICTURE - THE PERFECT GIFT OF REMEMBRANCE."

After 12 years of generating portraits of dogs Clive Hemsley recently hit his 2000th dog painting.

Clive also recently moved into a larger new art studio with facilities to draw and paint much larger canvases.

This is where he creates works that include: creating portraitures

of

families

-

weddings

-

couples,

individuals, and family members with their dogs!

As well as continuing with his love for animals, especially dogs - Clive said “ the new studio gives me so much more freedom, the lighting is amazing I can create theatre lighting or use hi-light spots or just use natural light - this flexibility is so exciting as I can literally get any size canvas in this studio.

“I will as always support my charities and continue to use this new facility as a private studio and accept private commissions.”

"Remember If your not in the area or even abroad -

"I can post the finished canvas anyway in the USA for

you can email me at clive.hemsley@livedesigns.co

50 dollars or UK at post office prices from £5.15p for

I can use images you provide, to create a legacy of

square canvas - typical time turnaround 3/4 weeks - if

your family dog. Please don’t leave it till your dog has

you have a special photograph and you want me to

died, that upsets me so anytime after a year is best for

quote for you - email me the image - nothing is too big

a dog picture - The perfect gift of remembrance."

or challenging - and I’m no great businessman but I believe that you only pay after you have seen and

"Remember 2 rules when taking a pic - it must be same

approved the finished masterpiece."

level as dog and I must see both eyes. Prices are the same as they were 12 years ago starting at 350 dollars

"Remember a dog painting is for forever - not just for

for 400mm x 400mm boxed canvas frame and I’ve

Christmas."

always said nobody pays anything until the artwork is complete and approved as everybody has to be happy

www.thedogportraitartist.co.uk

with the finished artwork."

www.clivehemsley.com

PAGE 130

THROUGH THE EYES OF A SPOKANE ARTIST

Megan Petersen has been obsessed with creating eyes from a young age, no matter the medium, and has now made a business out of it.

It all started when Megan began creating glass eye cabochons for her artisan jewelry lines, and other creators

"WITH HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT STYLES AND SIZES, THERE ARE EYES FOR ALL CREATIVE PROJECTS”

noticed. Many artists asked Megan where they could find the glass eyes that she used in her creations and when they discovered that Megan made the eyes, they began to request their own; Thus, Handmade Glass Eyes by Megan Petersen was created.

With hundreds of different styles and sizes, there are eyes for all creative projects. Megan’s handmade glass eyes are used in art dolls, sculptures, fishing lures, jewelry, and more worldwide. With multiple brands ranging from handmade glass eyes to beaded pattern designs and jewelry, this multifaceted businesswoman has found a fantastic way of mixing creative ability with business smarts. www.handmadeglasseyes.com PAGE 031

HEAVENLY TRIUMPH

MAE JEON

"Through my art, I want viewers to see the awesome digital world that I encountered on my digital journey. I also hope my art images inspire viewers to feel the spiritual world. Through my art, I want people to find moments of peace and hope in their distress."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

SPIRITUAL WAVE

MAE JEON

Mae Jeon is a digital fine artist whose love for

She has received the 2010 California Award from

flowers tugs on the fundamental cords that weave

the Latino America Museum, Ontario, CA, and the

throughout her artwork.

Best Work Prize in the 2012 International Monoprint show at the Museum of Americas, and First Prize in

Her compositional treatment of motifs, colors, and

the 2017 Woman in Art show at Impulse Arts Inc. in

other inherent qualities are guided by her intuition.

Houston. In 2020 she received the Works on Paper

She often finds great inspiration from the time she

Award at the 131st annual exhibition of the

spends

National Association of Women Artists.

reflecting

in

meditation

and

spiritual

reading.

Mae Jeon’s digital work has been featured in over Her digital work has been exhibited in numerous

30 books and magazines in the USA and Europe.

galleries, museum shows, and art fairs in New York

She is a certified artist of the Museum of the

and Miami, as well as at Biennale shows held in

Americas in Florida, and she has collaborated on

Italy: Florence 2005, Chianciano 2013, and Venice

many shows and publications with the museum for

2019. She held her ninth solo digital art exhibition at

more than 15 years.

the Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery in New

Her home studio is located near the south shore of

York, showcasing digital art on metal circles.

Staten Island, New York.

PAGE 133

INSPIRIT

DIVINE TONGUE

PAGE 134

MAE JEON IN STUDIO

Please share with us a bit of insight into your background and history.

I was born and educated in South Korea. At age 12, I became interested in art and had private lessons in watercolor painting. I explored various forms of artistic media during high school at the student art club workshop. I earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in commercial art at Hong-Ik College in Seoul. I then worked as a graphic designer for three decades in Tokyo, Seoul, and New York. After I got married, I moved to the United States and settled in New York, where I was hired as a staff designer with the company. I worked with them in design and illustration for over 20 years while raising two HOLY DESIRE

sons. I retired from the commercial art profession and started pursuing fine arts through digital media in 2003.

Please share some insight into your process.

My ideas for floral pieces often come through spiritual readings and meditation. When I am inspired by a particular spiritual topic, I begin searching for a flower that depicts its devotional meaning. I look through my own photography files to find the perfect flower image. I might say that the search for flowers in my work is like finding an actress for the theater stage. After I have chosen a flower, I often start exploring digital image generating software to capture the simulating environmental background. I then place the chosen flower into the background image in Photoshop. In the final stage, I apply filter effects or adjust the colors. Then I proceed to add other elements as needed until I feel satisfied with the quality and expression of my work.

WILLING MIND

Please describe the unique DNA of your art?

The unique DNA of my art is, I think, the interplay between the natural form of flowers

"Each flower in my art has an assigned spiritual role to perform. I hope my floral art will find its point of departure from divine DNA to shine light on its spiritual journey to this world."

and digital abstraction to depict a spiritually inspired subject. Each flower in my art has an assigned spiritual role to perform. I hope my floral art will find its point of departure from divine DNA to shine light on its spiritual journey to this world.

PAGE 135

AWAKENING

INTERCESSION

PAGE 136

How do you want your art to impact viewers?

Through my art, I want viewers to see the awesome digital world that I encountered on my digital journey.

I also hope my art images inspire viewers to feel the spiritual world. Through my art, I want people to find moments of peace and hope in their distress. My art is also inspired by the great love of God. I believe that

"I believe that my being an artist is an utmost privilege and a calling to serve through connecting with souls, both aesthetically and spiritually."

my being an artist is an utmost privilege and a calling

REJOICE

to

serve

through

connecting

with

souls,

both

aesthetically and spiritually.

became inspired by the surreal artists Dali and Miro. I was especially inspired by the surreal paintings of Japanese artist Kozo Mio while I was in Tokyo. I think

Which artists have inspired you most?

his work still influences me to this day.

In my teenage years, I was inspired by Degas for pastel works, Manet and Renoir for oil paintings, and

I was further inspired by the bold color and close-up

Sargent for his watercolor paintings. In my twenties, I

composition of Georgia O’Keeffe’s floral art.

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ONE LOVE

FLYINGS SOUL PAGE 138

RISE UP

MAE JEON

Share with us some concepts that you have

reception for the March exhibition in 2020. Through

explored.

this experience, I came to see clearly the uncertainty

In my early years before college, my favorite subjects

of life and how fragile human life is. This awareness led

were portraits and still lifes, and I painted with pastels,

me to rethink the purpose of my life and what the

oils, and watercolors. While I was in college, I joined a

priorities of my day should be. I was reassured that my

professional oil painting artist’s workshop where the

purpose in life is to beam hope and peace into people’s

studio was on the sixth floor of the building. When I

hearts the way a hymn does. With that in mind, I have

looked down from the studio window, I could see the

felt inspired to start working on a new series, “Visual

architecture and roofs of traditional Korean houses. I

Hymn.” I also continue working on my circle metal print

was deeply inspired by the view and felt motivated to

series.

spend a month creating a large oil painting of the roofscape. After college, while I was staying in Tokyo,

What attracts you to your preferred mediums?

I developed a deep interest in surreal artwork and

I was introduced to digital medium while working as a

created twenty surreal artworks with a butterfly

graphic designer. I noticed how it offers awesome

theme using mixed media. I also explored surreal oil

creative possibilities, not only for design work but also

landscape paintings in the form of the human body.

for fine art creation. In fact, digital medium led me to rediscover my childhood dream of being a fine artist.

What are you currently working on?

At first, I was attracted to digital medium for its

I remember how the pandemic and the ensuing

seemingly limitless creative possibilities. I was amazed

lockdown commenced the day right after my opening

to discover how all the brushes and painting materials I PAGE 139

HEALING WAVE

HIGH SPIRITS

PAGE 140

STREAMING HOPE

"I think my being an artist is the utmost privilege and also a calling to serve by beautifying the world." used for fine art are actually within the reach of my

joy in life. I first encountered digital medium in its

fingertips with the computer. Furthermore, the undo

infancy, and it has given me a big part in expressing

and save functions made me feel free from the fear of

my creative outlet as an artist. Therefore, I feel that I

making mistakes in the creation process. Moreover,

should create my work that is reflective of the highest

digital medium enables me to capture awesome

creative possibilities that the current cutting edge

abstractions that I can use as an environmental

technology offers, and also contribute to the future

background for my floral art.

digital art.

What do you feel when you are creating?

How has your art practice evolved over your

When I work with a digital medium, I feel like I have a

career?

natural bond with that medium. I feel fascinated and

I was first introduced to digital art software in my work

lose time while working, especially when I discover

as a designer at the company I worked for. I noticed

new aspects of the digital world of technology and

that it has awesome creative possibilities for fine art

how to incorporate it into my art. Those are fun and

and I consequently explored digital software to create

exciting moments for me. When I closely look into the

art for my pleasure. Then I started to enter art shows

flower, I am discovering a mystical construction in each

while working as a graphic designer. As my passion for

flower. I feel that I am uncovering the divine spirit of

fine art in a digital medium grew, I retired from my

each flower with my art.

commercial profession and began pursuing a path as a digital fine artist. In 2003, I had my first solo show in

What are your views on art's role in today's world?

digital medium. Since then my digital art has been

I think my being an artist is the utmost privilege and

exhibited mainly in the galleries in New York and I

also a calling to serve by beautifying the world.

have participated in international art fairs and museum

Especially in this complicated high-speed virtual world,

shows in Florida, and Biennial art shows in Italy.

I think art should provide moments of real relief for the viewer with enlightening messages such as hope and

Website: www.maejeon.com PAGE 141

HUNTER BIDEN INSPIRES TRUMP PAINTING THAT SOLD FOR THOUSANDS AT AUCTION

Nationally syndicated radio talk show host Mark Kaye

"The bat," says Kaye, "is symbolic of the Covid-19

painted a portrait of President Donald Trump during his

pandemic which was originally linked to the infamous

live radio show. The painting was inspired by President

flying rodent. The cigarette dangling out of his mouth is

Joe Biden's son Hunter revealing that he has changed

an homage to Hunter Biden himself."

careers once again and is becoming a professional artist.

"We've seen Hunter Biden's work and, quite frankly, this painting is way better. That's why we decided on

"When we reported that Hunter Biden was painting full

BETTERTHANHUNTER.com," says Kaye. "As far as the

time, we laughed," explains Kaye. "But when we heard

$10,000 asking price, well, we didn't want to be greedy.

that art dealers were prepared to offer $500,000 to

Plus, people love a bargain. Instead of paying

$1,000,000 for an original Hunter Biden painting, we

$1,000,000 for a painting by the President's son, you

cried. That's when we decided that if a talentless ne'er-

can get one that is better than Hunter's for a fraction of

do-well like Hunter Biden could get millions of dollars

the price. It's a real steal!"

for his paintings, so could we!"

Kaye's portrait is currently for sale via online auction at Mark Kaye didn't create the portrait alone. He

BETTERTHANHUNTER.com with an asking price of

crowdsourced ideas from his listeners all around the

$10,000 or best offer.

world.

Within minutes of listing the sale, fans of the Mark Kaye Show had driven the price up to $2100.

"We took live phone calls from our fans and asked them what we should paint," explains Kaye. "If they asked for it, we painted it. That's how we ended up with our portrait of President Donald Trump. He's a fan favorite to say the least."

In addition to President Trump, listeners to the show suggested Kaye paint a wall, a pickle, a pink flamingo, and a bat smoking a cigarette.

PAGE 142

"The bat is symbolic of the Covid-19 pandemic which was originally linked to the infamous flying rodent. The cigarette dangling out of his mouth is an homage to Hunter Biden himself."

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Website: www.quimbaya-tours.com PAGE 143

GHOSTS OF MY PAST

VASU TOLIA

"I want my canvases to awe, intrigue and delight the viewers, reach the innermost recesses of their minds and motivate them to act on the themes and make them their causes. We as artists want to send a message about what influences our work and leave a mark of the moment which affected us so much."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

TWILIGHT TIDBITS

Visual art is Vasu’s passion in retirement following

Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University and

a very successful career in medicine. She depicts

Director of Pediatric GI at Children’s Hospital of MI. I

women

paints

was deeply immersed in teaching, mentoring, research

representational and/or abstracted subjects from

and patient care. I have published over 150 peer

humanity, nature and ecology. Vasu uses vibrant

reviewed papers in medical journals, written editorials

colors

and book chapters in my field of expertise.

in

and

different

shapes

roles

on

and

images

using

alterations/abstractions with acrylic, mixed media and charcoal. Her works are in many private

Visual Arts is an entirely new realm for me, and has

collections. Vasu loves to create new themes of

become a passion now to fill the void of retirement. I

works and writes free verse and ekphrastic poetry.

started to learn drawing and painting at a local art

She has participated in over 50 local, regional,

center and it took me almost 4-5 years before I felt I

national and international group shows and won

was doing something right, like seeing shadows and

many awards.

light, values etc. In the meantime, I was experimenting on my own, taking workshops and practicing whatever

Please share with us a bit about your background.

I felt like doing. I am painting mostly independently

I moved to US from India after completing MBBS. I am

now. I slowly began to develop the notion of series of

a physician who has found art in retirement. I was a

paintings on a theme. I started with representational PAGE 145

MERGING WITH NATURE

PEEVISH PARAMOUR

LET’S PLAY

PAGE 146

"I depict women in different roles and by keeping them abstract, I want to represent each and every woman.

I am also finding new causes and everyday happenings in life related to humanity, nature and ecology."

ORGANIC

work and now I’m slowly drifting towards more abstract forms and figures. I depict women in different roles and by keeping them abstract, I want to represent each and every woman. I am also finding new causes and everyday happenings in life related to humanity, nature and ecology. I love to travel and explore new sights, influenced by the diversity in world culture as it broadens my horizons.

I also respond to calls from art events to challenge my imagination. My dedication to painting is evident from winning awards and new themes of work.

Please give us some insight into your process.

My art varies from being representational to abstracted. I like to do a series on a theme. I let an idea evolve freely, the final version is always different as I let myself loose on canvas. My own, and images from internet are an important beginning, however, by the time I apply my concept by changing AWESOME EARTH

colors,

subtracting

and

adding

background, figures and other material, it is totally changed and becomes my own. Use of technology has definitely influenced my work. Even then, the final product may be totally altered from the original concept. I mainly use acrylic, mixed media and charcoal. I start with a sketch to develop a composition unless it is an abstract theme. Then I enter acrylic paints in layers with brush or knife. I use wiping, rubbing, glazing or scraping until it is portraying

my

imagination.

I

utilize

texturing

materials as needed at various stages periodically. All these steps enable my subconscious ideas to evolve my concept into a form on canvas.

Please define the unique DNA of your art?

DNA is a very famous biological molecule; present in all forms of life on earth. Beware, you’re asking a doctor this question, so a little bit of medical viewpoint may creep in it. Literally, since every cell in your body contains DNA or the genetic code that makes you you, my unique DNA for my art should carry something that is my signature. I’m constantly searching for that ‘something’ which should be my identity, but that’s elusive. I thought last year that I’d use a stamp in every artwork I make, making it my THE FEATHERIST

insignia, but I found it difficult to fit that in everything PAGE 147

I made. So I’d like to say that until I stumble upon something like that, my themes and passions are my DNA and they vary.

How you want your art to impact the viewer?

I want my canvases to awe, intrigue and delight the viewers, reach the innermost recesses of their minds

"My dedication to painting is evident from winning awards and new themes of work."

and motivate them to act on the themes and make

ASCENT

them their causes. We as artists want to send a

it evokes in them, be it joy, peace, mystique, sadness

message about what influences our work and leave a

and so on. Additionally, I’d want them to feel pleasure

mark of the moment which affected us so much. So I’d

and something new, like a different angle they didn’t

want the viewers to find the mystery of my inner state,

think about before, every time they view it . I see

which would be very difficult I believe. I’d also like

myself making them wanting to feel and want to be a

them to immerse in the artwork and make their own

part of theme and contribute to those causes in

interpretations, search their minds as to what emotions

whatever way they can.

PAGE 148

"My paintings on women portray narratives of their various roles in the society. I create role models to stimulate and motivate younger generations, to overcome hurdles and prejudices faced at every stage by women in all walks of life."

A CLASS ACT

Please

share

some

reactions

from

first-time

viewers.

entries in shows are obviously dear to me, I am also particularly proud of my work entitled ‘The World

They cannot believe that my art career is so young, not

against Covid-19’. Not only the theme was unique, it

even in double digits. They love my colors, concept

was listed amongst the Top 20 works of art on the

choices, and wonder what inspires me. Sometimes it is

pandemic by Washington Post. My solo exhibition on

a subject that I’ve loved and admired in literary arts,

Woman’s journey is one of my highlights, as I depicted

or an image or a story in a newspaper or TV. Yes, I

women in their many roles in a 24 paintings exhibit and

have many more ideas than I have time to execute

wrote a poem on it as well. I was thrilled to be

them. Colors and fashions have always fascinated me

approached by a Canadian Gallery to develop my

and now lines, shapes and words are on that list also.

artwork into lifestyle products.

I am challenged to develop in an unconventional manner,

I

mean

without

any

previous

artistic

Please delve into the thinking behind your themes.

education. I consider this as an opportunity to exercise

My paintings on women portray narratives of their

my imagination in an avant-garde way.

various roles in the society. I create role models to stimulate and motivate younger generations, to

Please guide us to some of your most notable

overcome hurdles and prejudices faced at every stage

works.

by women in all walks of life. I hope to inspire others to

My series on wild animals, personalization of nature as

help implement women’s right to live free from violence,

a woman, response to the Pandemic and racial/ethnic

subjugation and discrimination; to be educated and

injustice are noteworthy creations. Award winning

earn a fair and equal wage.

PAGE 149

TOGETHER WE STAND

"Having been in healthcare, I’m very aware of the calming effect a piece of art can give a sick person."

Raising awareness for making our planet more livable

planting the seeds of this particular theme. I love to

and current events are some of the recent themes.

paint ‘Ganesha”, the Indian demigod with elephant

With all the unnecessary violence affecting innocent

head, as he’s believed to be multi-talented and

people I want to make people aware of the friendship

removes obstacles. I feel a lot of joy painting him.

and gratitude towards each other. I also love to represent nature in its flora, fauna, beauty and glory. I

What pathways are your currently exploring?

also personify nature as a woman in my art work.

I am continuing on abstract and representational

Having been in healthcare, I’m very aware of the

figurative work. I am working on a few pieces on

calming effect a piece of art can give a sick person. I

representing eastern culture as it relates to exposing

intuitively create soothing art usually which can be in

their younger generation towards learning principles of

representational or abstract theme. My many years of

Buddhism early on. I have begun a series on expressing

experience in the medical field have been important in

emotions into abstract artworks.

PAGE 150

UMBRELLAS ON THE BEACH/RAIN IN THE FORECAST

ALIVE AGAIN

RIPPLING

PAGE 151

How do you decide on what directions to explore?

I like to start thinking about an appealing and effort worthy project mentally before actually even starting the search for resources. This is the fundamental basis on which my concepts will evolve. I am considering doing a series on ‘Romance with the mirror’, where mirror will be part of every piece in some form. Many of these ideas come spontaneously to me and I unconsciously must be working on them before a spark kindles me to give them form. I’ll continue to work on the series on emotions and also on figures using gold/ silver leaf. I am currently also doing some ekphrastic poetry on my own paintings and hope to publish the paintings and poetry in a book.

What attracts you to your preferred mediums?

I sort of started with charcoal and acrylics just happened. Now the repertoire of acrylics has expanded exponentially with open, high fluid, inks etc.

All these are very exciting and fun to work with.

Collage with papers or using papers as a background in challenging as well as different. I have dabbled in oil and cold wax a bit and may want to work on it in the

WAIT FOR ME

future with a palette knife. break boundaries and create awareness about issues How do you feel when you are creating?

that cry out for attention. So I feel art can be soothing,

I believe I get in a zone when I am working. I need my

stimulating and inspiring or all three at times.

pot of tea infused with fresh ginger and lemongrass and then I’m all set to paint. I do listen to audiobooks

Please tell us about your location.

while painting because I belong to three book clubs.

I am in Michigan where we have all seasons. I am an

I work on several paintings at a time, so that while one

indoor painter and very comfortable in my studio. A lot

layer dries, I can develop another one. These may or

of what I make comes from outside the home but is

may not be in the same theme.

enacted and deliberated within these walls. Painting is my emotional prop and my second career.

Please share your views on art's role in the world.

While I always loved to look at and acquire lovely

How has you art evolved over your career?

things for my home, now it has seeped into my very

When I started to learn, I did not associate any causes

core, DNA you could say. I started it at a time to fill a

with this hobby, it started as a time-pass action which

vacuum and now it has transformed me, I feel very

frustrated me to no end until things clicked. Then all of

fulfilled with my visual art and want to experience it

a sudden, it became a larger than life thing for me.

with literary art as well. It’s been both an emotional

Now my interest is not in making just pretty pictures, it

and satisfying journey.

is a vehicle to convey my feelings, passions, reactions and emotions to everyday life. My art is not static in the

Passion is defined as “The process of being mentally

way I paint, like medicine, art is a continuing challenge

stimulated

especially

and I want to evolve in and with it in a positive way.

something creative.” Source: Oxforddictionaries.com.

Hence, my works are very different now than when I

That is what painting does for me. With art, we have to

started.

PAGE 152

to

do

or

feel

something,

BROODING

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your

"Now my interest is not in making just pretty pictures, it is a vehicle to convey my feelings, passions, reactions and emotions to everyday life."

creative expression?

The pandemic affected me in two ways mainly, a part of me wanted to be back in action in the frontlines as a physician, however, it was not a practical feasibility. So I decided to put my feelings into action by portraying the frustration and hard work of healthcare providers, the challenges that the world faced, how the population had to learn to deal with this calamity, effects of isolation, introspection and how quickly, scientists were able to develop the vaccine to fight it.

With travel at a standstill, I had a lot more time to think and create. Then the political events in the country related to ethnic tensions were also inspirational to me to create works for delivering messages to the community, country and the world.

VASU TOLIA

Website: www.vasutolia.com PAGE 153

TIM WILSON GALLERY QUEENSTOWN, NZ Tim Wilson was New Zealand's most successful landscape Artist.

Tim Wilson Gallery is regarded as one of the best landscape art galleries in the country.

WWW.TIMWILSONGALLERY.COM

MADRID EUROPE'S ART CAPITAL WWW.ESMADRID.COM

SEATED NUDE

KEN GOLDMAN

"Today my paintings and drawings continue to reflect the deep appreciation of nature and the human figure which I gained during my formative years... Because of my curious nature, I paint any subject I find intriguing, unique and challenging. Usually these are figures, portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and historical themed semiabstractions."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

KEN GOLDMAN

Ken Goldman is an internationally known artist,

birds. In 1974, following a brief stint at San Diego State

author, teacher and art juror. His paintings are

where I majored in fine art and minored in ornithology,

included in the permanent collections of several

like a dream come true, the San Diego Museum of

major art museums including the San Diego Museum

Natural History hired me as an exhibition designer on

of Fine Art and the Zuo Wen Museum in Qingdao

the basis of my bird and wildlife painting portfolio.

China.

There I learned how to build dioramas, paint Please share a bit of insight into your background.

background murals, fabricate models, and do bird

My Mom was a talented artist who wanted my brothers

taxidermy. After work each day I kept practicing my

and me to also become artists, so she and my Dad sent

drawing and painting skills on the side, and in 1976

us to Highland Hall, a Waldorf School (European-based

decided to leave the museum to become a full-time fine

system of education geared towards encouraging the

artist.

artistic side of children) from 2nd through 8th grade.

This education definitely nurtured our creative sides

Since then, I’ve shown in galleries throughout the

but frankly, at the cost of our mathematical sides.

country (including Hammer Galleries in NYC). I also

Nevertheless, out of this education I developed a deep

began attending life drawing sketch groups (still do)

appreciation for art, art history, wildlife and especially

and intensively studying human and comparative PAGE 157

PAUOLO CRISTOBAL

PAGE 158

BEACH READER

A DAY AT THE PRADO

PAGE 159

anatomy. Today my paintings and drawings continue to reflect the deep appreciation of nature and the human figure which I gained during my formative years. Since leaving the museum in 1976, I have made my living solely as a fine artist, part-time art instructor, and author of sixteen art instruction books.

How would you describe the unique DNA of your art?

Because of my curious nature, I paint any subject I find intriguing, unique and challenging. Usually these are figures, portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and historical themed semi-abstractions. In the Health Care and Public Art field, my artist wife Stephanie and I work together designing site specific artwork and murals which are geared to enhance hospital surroundings and contribute to overall patient wellbeing.

What proportion of your paintings are struggles A TOUCH OF RED (SERENITY)

as opposed to “smooth sailing”?

I would say 95% are struggles and I am suspicious of the 5% that are not. Diebenkorn once said something similar about his charcoal drawings which show an intense struggle with lots of “corrected” marks. He claimed to always be skeptical of drawings that developed too easily. I agree with him. Painting the sort of ideas that intrigue me most always entail a challenge or I am not really that interested in starting. Much of my motivation to begin at all comes from trying out ideas or concepts I’m not sure I can pull off. It’s bizarre! If I start to get too good at something, I begin to feel too formulaic and repetitive, and that makes me want to move on.

You have painted and drawn an extremely wide array of subjects, yet there is a common thread in all of your works. Is this what perhaps can be called your artistic vision?

If by artistic vision and a common thread you mean attempting to be entirely authentic and true to myself, the answer is yes. After all, as much as I may admire the vision of another artist, all I really have are my own fingerprints, my own vision and my own unique way of doing things. I enjoy seeing what other

SIENNA

PAGE 160

artists do and am often inspired to emulate, but at the

MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES

DOUBLE TAKE

AFTER FISHING ALL NIGHT

PAGE 161

same time, I’m always keenly aware of the dangers of “wrong use of comparison.” Comparison used in the wrong way is a bad weed that needs to be constantly pulled or one develops too much self-doubt.

I do not compare myself to others in the sense of thinking what someone else is doing is better. Rather I

"Painting the sort of ideas that intrigue me most always entail a challenge or I am not really that interested in starting."

look toward my own path, my own evolution (including past work) and try to see whether techniques I admire

STUDIO CORNER

in someone else’s work can fit into the parameters of

mentality and share in it myself but am not too radical

my own vision. If they can, I will attempt to use them in

in my own changes because I also admire and emulate

my way.

classical art traditions.

How do you think your art has evolved over the

But my taste in what other artists do is very broad. I

years and where do you see it going in the future?

appreciate any style, expression or genre that is well

Artists by their nature tend to be innovators always

done. Nowadays I think every form of art goes. I have

challenging “traditions” and “sacred cows.” I like that

no idea how my own art will evolve in the future but

PAGE 162

LINE AND SPACE 2

LINE AND SPACE 1

SPECTATING WORKERS IN LITHUANIA

PAGE 163

"Know and follow your own artistic passion, diligently educate yourself, admire but do not compare yourself to others in a destructive way.

Respect and honor your own unique fingerprints, and everything else will follow."

STUDIO CORNER

the one thing I am sure of is that I will continue to do

2. 1978 -1982: Japanese / Chinese brush painting and

everything in my power to evolve into a better and

early Figures. This was how I improved my use of

more authentic artist.

brushwork which has influenced my bird and figure paintings ever since.

What advice would you give to a young artist?

3. 1983 - 2010: Landscape painting, Still Life, mid-

Any artist trying to realize their own unique artistic

career figures. This was a period where I learned a lot

expression should be willing to make well-reasoned

about design, perspective and color theory.

choices that keep their lives simple and undistracted.

4. 2011 - 2021: Recent Figure, Portraits, landscapes,

Advice: Know and follow your own artistic passion,

bird paintings and the Telephone pole series. I learned

diligently educate yourself, admire but do not compare

about immediacy in drawing (from sketch groups), the

yourself to others in a destructive way. Respect and

importance of anatomy and patience when drawing or

honor your own unique fingerprints, and everything

painting longer poses and returned to painting birds

else will follow.

(having gained more experience) and began the Telephone Pole series.

Please tell us which artistic genres have most impacted your career and why?

Which series of works is most exciting for you right

1. 1970’s: Early Career - Drawing and painting birds.

now and why?

Because I knew them best, it was an authentic way to

Currently I have been depicting a solitary (and some

start my painting career.

would say “ugly”) telephone pole outside of our house.

PAGE 164

SPARROWS AND BEE

"One thing I am sure of is I will continue to do everything in my power to evolve into a better and more authentic artist."

Some people ask me what I see in it. Simple, I like the

So far I’ve painted five watercolors in this ongoing

way it catches light in such dramatic ways, how it

series. One was purchased by San Diego Gas &

provides perches for birds, and mostly how its multiple

Electric, another by the Hilbert Museum of California

groupings

SDG&E

Art in Orange, California, and I can’t wait to continue

repairmen striking animated poses, create such

working on many more concepts from the numerous

fascinating negative shapes against the sky.

photos I’ve taken during both day and nighttime

of

wires,

transformers

and

repairs. There’s talk about removing this pole with its Those hard-working linemen usually have no idea why I

many intriguing wire compositions, so I want to make

take so many pictures, but during a recent power

the most of it while it’s still here.

outage, I got an opportunity to show them what their courageous occupation has meant to me artistically.

The joy on their faces when they recognized

www.goldmanfineart.com/ken-goldman

themselves and their colleagues in my paintings, made

www.instagram.com/goldmanfineart

my day.

www.facebook.com/1goldmanfineart PAGE 165

WALTER STERNLIEB ARTIST AND DESIGNER MODERN 3-DIMENSIONAL PAINTINGS PAGE 166

"HIS CHARISMATIC WORK ON DISPLAY WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY INGENUITY AND CREATIVITY." Southampton is now home to A is for Art. Modern

“I woke up one morning with this idea of a 3-

American artist and designer, Walter Sternlieb, has

dimensional flag, made a prototype of it, then built it,

opened the Hampton's hottest new gallery, and it is

painted it and hung it,” states Walter.

part of the village’s strong legacy with backing of curated collaborations in the community.

The specific vision of the then novice artist led to a series that includes his iconic pieces “The Staircase,”

Located at 60 Jobs Lane, A is for Art brings to life the

and “5 Hearts.”

prolific vision of Walter, who is known out east as a respected designer, builder, woodworker, and master

Eventually he established a professional portfolio that

craftsman. Now his latest title as industrial artist will

was so large it took up all of his wall space in his home

only further plant his applaudable achievements.

where he displayed pieces. The colorful collection impressed visiting friends and fans and eventually led

His charismatic work on display was brought forth by

to thoughts of opening up a gallery to showcase his

ingenuity and creativity.

work.

PAGE 167

“I knew there was a run-down property on Jobs Lane.

The dazzling and virtuosic collection comes from a

I called the landlord and decided to rent it,” he goes

special place in Walter’s personal history that many

on about the inspiration to open his own place. “The

can relate to and why his artwork stands out as a

interior was very run down, and I thought I could have

popular choice to art collectors.

a shabby-chic art gallery, but shabby chic just isn’t me, so we went in and cleaned it up a little bit. We

“As a child, my parents dragged me to museums, and

started hanging my work, and work of some of my

historic sites. I didn’t understand the purpose of all of

friends. In a very short period, I was getting a very

it. I was very fortunate that they took me to all these

good response to my work.”

places. It helped me in what I do today. All the things that I saw, and I have done in the past, have made me

Walter’s

expressive

3-dimensional

paintings

what I am today.”

encompass powerful expressions full of rich color and bold design. The bright shapes are pops of color that

For more information, please call (516) 356-1191 or visit

bring bliss to anyone who uses them as part of the

the gallery in Southampton at 60 Jobs Lane.

design of a home or office space.

Website: www.aisforart.us

PAGE 168

JACK

JOHN CARLOS FURTADO

"I hope that the viewers are positively impacted by my work. At the very least, visually enjoy viewing what I have created. But I am also hoping that they pick up the themes that I am trying to get across. I hope some paintings are thought provoking."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

HOUSE ON THE HILL

JOHN CARLOS FURTADO

John Carlos Furtado has two loves, Art, and

current artists. A few that I have highly connected with

Music, and sometimes they cross over. He is a

are Michelangelo, Monet, Van Gough, and more current

self-taught artist who has loved all things artistic

artists such as Picasso, Dali, and Warhol. I also like to

all his life.

put a spotlight on people that I believe have made a difference in the world. In one series, I painted Nelson

Please share some of your background and

Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Reverend Martin Luther

history.

King, and John F. Kennedy. Interestingly, the gentleman

I am a self-taught artist, and I plan to continue to

that purchased Nelson Mandela, had met with him

better my craft over the years to come. My work is

personally two weeks before he was inaugurated

comprised of a few different themes:

president of South Africa.

Things that I want to paint and enjoy looking at and makes me feel good (and hopefully viewers).

I also paint people who have connected to me personally.

I challenge myself and experiment in painting in

One such example is Anthony Bourdain. I have painted

different styles.

him for a few reasons. I enjoyed watching his shows. But

I paint pictures that are based on themes that are

there is yet one more important reason that I selected

important to me and hope that the viewers can

Anthony. I was very saddened by his death and believe

also connect.

that his lifelong struggle with depression had a major part

I have been drawing all my life and creating

in his early passing. I too have suffered from depression

paintings from time to time. I have studied past and

my whole life and I feel we had a connection.

PAGE 171

ANTHONY BOURDAIN

PAGE 172

HANNIBAL

WINTER SOLSTICE

VIOLIN

PAGE 173

How has your IT background influenced your art?

In my 45 years in the Information Technology field, I followed very thorough engineering standards and practices. Many of these are also part of my process in creating art, such as: Well defined processes and high degree of planning Detailed architecture and design Typically, I will sketch out my painting before applying paint. I also spend time choosing the colors I will be using and experiment with mixing colors that must be created.

How do you want your art to impact viewers?

I hope that the viewers are positively impacted by my work. At the very least, visually enjoy viewing what I have created. But I am also hoping that they pick up the themes that I am trying to get across. I hope some paintings are thought provoking. In the painting, “Gathering Water”, I show how hard the women in certain regions of the world must work.

Gathering water can be accomplished in more BUDDHA

efficient manners, but in areas of the world which are male dominated, menial tasks (albeit in this case requiring much effort) are assigned to women as little value is placed on women. Sometimes my art and music cross paths. In the painting "Black Birds Singing in the Dead of Night", I am referring to the Beatles song "Black Bird", from the double album also known as the White Album, which was released in 1968.

Regarding

the

meaning

of

the

song,

McCartney, recalls writing the song in Scotland as a response to the racial tensions escalating in the United States during the spring of 1968. The lyrics have invited varied interpretations. One is that is a message in support of the Black Power movement. In the song, I rode through the desert on “A Horse with No Name” by the band America, the horse is released after 9 days, I painted from when the horse ran free.

WOMAN IN ORANGE VEIL

What do people say when they discover your work?

"In the painting, “Gathering Water”, I show how hard the women in certain regions of the world must work."

People are usually incredibly surprised. I have not made mention of my love for art, nor my battle with depression, to many people over the years. But in the last 5 years, I have brought both into the open.

The dialogue regarding mental health has recently

PAGE 174

SHIP IN THE MOONLIGHT

PAGE 175

received much attention and I wanted to be part of the narrative, to show, along with many others, that one’s state of depression can be greatly aided by medicine and therapy. I guess that working in the IT field, where we are dealing with very technical tasks, is probably the farthest thing from working in art. I would like to think that I am an artist first and learned

"I would like to think that I am an artist first and learned the IT discipline afterward."

the IT discipline afterward.

STAR BURSTING

Please tell us about any 3 of your art works.

most translated book after the Bible. Once it was

In the painting "Don Quixote", I was inspired by

complete, I hung it in my personal office until my

greatness of the book, and the appreciation for Pablo

retirement. Before I painted "New York", my wife and I

Picasso’s work on the iconic painting. The book was

had spent some time in the city and while walking

published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. Many authors

through Central Park, there were many artists selling

consider it to be the best literary work ever written,

their art. I was very intrigued by one artist that had

Don Quixote holds the distinction of being the second

taken a Pop Art style to the various scenes in New York.

PAGE 176

"At some point I wanted to try the cubism approach and decided that Marylin and another actor that I am fond of, Jack Nicholson, would be my first subjects. The technique is harder than it looks."

MARILYN

BLACK BIRDS SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT

WINTER ON MILTON STREET IN MONTREAL

PAGE 177

WOMEN CARRYING WATER

PAGE 178

"It is a great feeling, and often joined with my music.

I do not feel depressed.

I feel both happy and calm. I can tune out the world and its problems.

As much as I enjoy the process of painting, I am also very eager to see the final work."

JOHN CARLOS FURTADO

I took pictures. A few months later, we moved to a new

of the artists are at the professional level. I get much

office and the cafeteria walls were bare. Anyone that

inspiration from the works of all the artists in BAA. Here

could contribute a painting to brighten up the place

is a link to the BAA site. www.beaconsfieldart.com

was asked to do so. I decide to take on the challenge of painting New York, including all the iconic buildings and

What directions are you interested in exploring?

areas. This turned out to be an exceptionally large

One technique that I want to better master is

undertaking, but in the end, I was proud of the result.

“Abstract”. I want to be able to create an abstract

In a picture of me, you can see me holding both "Don

painting with little planning and lots of passion. I have

Quixote" and "NY".

painted a few abstract paintings in the past, but I have

I am a fan of Marylin Munroe. At some point I wanted

not been happy with the result. Perhaps art classes will

to try the cubism approach and decided that Marylin

be helpful for me to have breakthroughs in this area.

and another actor that I am fond of, Jack Nicholson, would be my first subjects. The technique is harder

What do you feel when you are creating?

than it looks.

It is a great feeling, and often joined with my music. I do not feel depressed. I feel both happy and calm.

Which artists have inspired you the most?

I can tune out the world and its problems. As much as I

I have mentioned several artists previously and that list

enjoy the process of painting, I am also very eager to

includes my college art teacher Seymour Segal. Where

see the final work. Most times I am happy with the

I live (Beaconsfield - borough of Montreal), and I am a

outcome,

member of the Beaconsfield Artist Association. Many

www.artbyjohncarlos.com

others

are

learning

experiences.

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VAMOSS LATIN AMERICAN PIONEER IN BLOCKCHAINBASED GENERATIVE ART PAGE 180

LATIN AMERICAN PIONEER IN BLOCKCHAIN-BASED GENERATIVE ART

340

Important artist-programmer with a remarkable and

He has created experiences for brands like Tesla,

consolidated career.Graduated in Design and Creative

SpaceX, Intel, Microsoft, Nike and Coca-Cola, among

Economics Master at ESPM-Rio, works with interactive

others.Vamoss was a teacher at the Istituto Europeo di

media

in

Design, Universidad Internacional SEK and Marathon

SuperUber, where he integrates contents, hardware,

of Languages Hyper Temple, a school he helped to

software, design and architecture to be used in

create in a slum of Rio de Janeiro in 2015, aiming to the

exclusive projects since 2011.In this enterprise, he has

teaching

participated in interactive projects for exhibitions and

students.Recently he engaged along with the creative

events such as Museu do Amanhã (Museum of

programming community of Brazil in order to create

Tomorrow), Museu da Língua Portuguesa (Museum of

EncontrosDigitais.com.br., a collaborative platform to

Portuguese Language), Frost Science Museum, and at

share knowledge among creative programmers and

the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games.

society.

since

2004.Director

of

Technology

of

programming

to

teachers

and

PAGE 181

"THIS IS A WORK OF GENERATIVE ART, USING SIMPLE RULES TO GET COMPLEX RESULTS. EACH WORK IS MADE UP OF 3 RULES, AND EACH RULE HAS 256 VARIATIONS, THE 3 RULES COMBINED SURPASS MORE THAN 16 MILLION POSSIBILITIES."

Brazilian artist Vamoss, one of the pioneers in generative art based on the Blockchain in Latin America. The name of one of his works is "Patterns of Life", a work that recalls the geometric patterns present in ancestral drawings.

This work is the result of experimentation with colors and the use of the “Cellular Automaton” algorithm, where reproduction using black and white are predominating, because it is based on bits, that is: true or false operations.

"After experimenting with this algorithm, I found that I could associate the bits that constitute the true or false with extra information, creating a multidimensional relationship, which was only true and false now has eight

dimensions,

particular

color.

each

of

From

this

which

represents

a

experimentation

I

discovered another range of visualities, bringing out patterns that were not visible before," said Vamoss.

PAGE 182

340

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GABRIELLE MATLOCK

"The uniqueness of my work is a result of the passion I have for my subjects which is the cornerstone of all my work as an artist... I developed empathy and compassion for creatures that are misunderstood, undervalued and often times mistreated."

1202 FO TSEB GITSED

WING AND A PRAYER

GABRIELLE MATLOCK

My passion for nature and wildlife is the

Following my golf career I became serious about my art

cornerstone of my artistic endeavors. Through my

and with thousands of wildlife images that passed

art

the

through my camera lens, I embarked on a career

magnificence of God’s creatures and to promote

pursuing art. For several years I would travel to Montana

awareness and appreciation for them. My gift is

to take instruction from the greatest names in wildlife art.

the ability to bring out the soul and essence of my

Passion grew as I extended my travels to see and

subjects.

photograph my favorite subjects. My favorite destination

I

hope

to

educate

people

about

is Africa and I am hoping to go again to this amazing Please share some details of your background.

place.

I started drawing about the age of 10. I was raised in a very volatile environment and I would often go

Please share with us some insight into your process.

down to the basement to seek the peace and

Whether I’m working with pencil or paint, the information

tranquility of drawing. About the same time I also

gathering and overall process is the same. An idea for a

discovered my love of athletics and became very

painting evolves or a memory of a photo I took beckons

involved with the game of golf. I earned a BS in

to be painted. Once the subject or subjects are

Commercial Art after which I pursued a professional

determined I begin gathering the reference material for

golf career. I became a proficient photographer and

the environment to place them in. I get together all of my

while

photos that can be considered and if needed I’ll grab my

playing

professional

golf

opportunities to photograph wildlife.

I

would

find

camera and go hunting. When selecting the images for PAGE 185

JOY OF INNOCENCE

"No matter what medium I’m using, I will always render the eyes first. For me the eyes are the windows to the soul and once they are complete the animal comes alive and takes on a personality. I then feel a strong connection and am moved to complete the rest of the work."

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DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

KUDOS

PAGE 187

the foreground, middle and background of the composition I must be mindful of the time of year the subject was taken, behavior of the subject and the lighting on the subject. All these things must be accurate and in sync. Before tackling the final work in either medium I will do a detailed sketch to determine the best composition and work out the nuances of lighting, value and perspective. When doing an oil painting I will then do a miniature painting to further work out the specific details.

No matter what medium I’m using, I will always render the eyes first.

For me the eyes are the

windows to the soul and once they are complete the animal comes alive and takes on a personality. I then feel a strong connection and am moved to complete the rest of the work.

Please describe the unique DNA of your art?

Without question the uniqueness of my work is a result of the passion I have for my subjects which is the cornerstone of all my work as an artist. I feel this passion was created in part by my upbringing.

Through it, I developed empathy and compassion for creatures that are misunderstood, undervalued and often times mistreated. It was once suggested to me that my rendering of animals is the rendering of my own soul.

CHEETAH INTERRUPTED

How do you want your art to impact viewers?

I want my work to be relatable and enjoyable for people but beyond that it’s really gratifying when my work elicits emotion from the viewer. I will never forget the impact of a graphite rendering of an old African Buffalo hanging in my booth. An elderly gentleman teared up as he looked at it and repeated the title “Old Timer”. The ultimate goal of my work is to inform and educate people of the value and uniqueness of my subjects.

What do people say when they discover your work?

Almost everyone comments on the ‘life-like’ and realistic quality of the subjects I portray. “It looks so real”, “It looks like a photograph” and “It looks so three dimensional”, are comments I always hear. My GABRIELLE MATLOCK IN BOTSWANA

ability to bring out the soul of my subjects through their eyes attracts a lot of people to my work.

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THE RANCHHAND

MINI D

PEEK-A-BOO

PAGE 189

Please tell us about 3 of your artworks that have most impacted your career and why?

The first crayon drawing of my siamese kittens set the stage for my future as an artist. It revealed my talent for art as well as my love for my pets. The most impactful work to this day is the piece I donated to a local Hospital’s Chapel entitled “The Shepherd”. It’s a

"The ultimate goal of my work is to inform and educate people of the value and uniqueness of my subjects."

colored pencil drawing on a towering 6’ by 3’ piece of

AGE OF INNOCENCE MIN. DONKEY

Mesquite. It took me 3 years to complete and in terms

Which artists have inspired you most?

of sheer size and complexity it has been one of my

Early on Robert Bateman was a huge inspiration to me.

grandest works and is my legacy. “The Shepherd”

As a conservationist and great painter of animals he

proved to be life altering both personally and

inspired me to pursue my passion for wildlife. I ended up

professionally. My first oil painting, “Wing and a

taking private instruction from him several years ago

Prayer” was evidence that I could master the art of oil

which was an amazing experience. Wildlife artists Daniel

painting. It directed my artistic expression in a whole

Smith, Lee Cable, and Carl Brenders are among those

new direction.

who have inspired me and given me personal instruction.

PAGE 190

THE WING OF HEARTS

"I want my work to be relatable and enjoyable for people but beyond that it’s really gratifying when my work elicits emotion from the viewer."

THE HUNT

PAGE 191

BROODING

What directions are you interested in exploring in future work?

"The attraction to colored pencil on wood is the detail I’m able to achieve and the sheer challenge of the medium."

I want to study landscape and light and incorporate them more into my work. I will do more Plein Air painting which is the practice of taking the easel out into nature and painting what you see. By doing this at different times of day and studying the effects of light I can create more dynamic scenes for my wildlife subjects. I would also like to explore sculpting to further my understanding of animal anatomy and the play of light on my subject.

What

attracts

you

to

your

preferred

mediums?

The attraction to colored pencil on wood is the detail I’m able to achieve and the sheer TRI-Z'S

challenge of the medium. The effects that each type of wood has on the pencil is a mystery

PAGE 192

"When I’m creating I feel an intrinsic connection with my creator. Often when I come upon a particularly challenging issue at the easel I’ll ask for guidance and then feel as though I’m a vessel and someone else has control of the pencil or brush."

THE SHEPHERD

every time and one must allow for this in your selection

Describe your location and its influence on your art.

of color. Because you can’t mix the colors like you do

The solitude of the Texas Hill Country inspires me to do

paint, layering of each color to create the desired color

my work. At any given moment I can look out into my

is almost a science in itself. Careful attention must be

back yard and see deer, fox, skunk, squirrels or

made to the order of layering. If you change the order

raccoons while listening to melody of beautiful song

of laying down the color, the result will be a different

birds. Being anywhere in nature ignites my desire to

color.

create.

Oil painting is a completely different form of expression.

I love the creamy texture of the paint and the ability to

How has your art evolved over your career?

blend colors together. Because you’re using a brush

It all started with a crayon drawing of my Siamese

instead of a pencil lead, it’s a much quicker process.

kittens at a very young age. I loved drawing and

I’ve learned how to alter and use my brushes to get the

turned to using graphite which was my medium of

finer detail that’s become the hallmark of my work.

artistic expression for many years. I dabbled in using water color and explored acrylic but neither of those

What do you feel when you are creating?

mediums ‘stuck’. Still drawing, and wanting to get color

My studio is my sanctuary and a very spiritual place for

into my work, I began using colored pencil on wood

me. When I’m creating I feel an intrinsic connection

which was my focus for many years. During my

with my creator. Often when I come upon a particularly

accumulative years of drawing I learned the essential

challenging issue at the easel I’ll ask for guidance and

elements of composition, value and perspective which

then feel as though I’m a vessel and someone else has

catapulted the success of my oil painting.

control of the pencil or brush. I’m always grateful and astounded at the outcome of this interaction.

www.matlockart.com PAGE 193

KOS - 2021 COLLECTION PAGE 194

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"A FEELING FOR WATER. MOVEMENT IN A DISTINCT ELEMENT SUCH AS WATER, WHOSE RULES COMPLETELY DIFFER FROM THOSE IN OUR USUAL ENVIRONMENT, GIVES US DEEP SELFAWARENESS AND CONNECTS US WITH OUR EMOTIONS." PAGE 198

KOS - WELLNESS AS A PRIMARY VALUE In the space of just a few years, the Kos collections had succeeded in making a name for themselves as icons of the modern bathroom, giving moments of wellbeing and pleasure new status in everyday life.

Cutting edge technology and attention to each and every detail enable us to guarantee a top quality product at all times and to integrate a highly industrialised design object into all kinds of spaces. The study of materials and production processes form the basis of company strategy: silkstone, cristalplant, pietraluce, acrylics and natural woods trace sculptural and designoriented forms, characterised by a soft, velvety touch. Wellbeing is a daily must for Kos: “idrocolore” colour therapy, aromatherapy are combined with products that are avant-garde in design and structure, having achieved style icon status over the years.

WELLBEING IS A DAILY MUST FOR KOS

www.zucchettikos.it PAGE 199

TATO PAGE 200

DREAMED AND MADE IN ITALY

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"TATO’S DESIGN CONCEPT RESULTS IN A NEW ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL SCENARIO AND IN A FUTURE-ORIENTED TRADITION OF MANUAL DEXTERITY, KNOWLEDGE OF GESTURES AND MATERIALS, HANDICRAFTS"

TATO was conceived to do things well.

This is what it’s dealing with. There’s a deep knowledge arising from the practice. Doing things well for a company producing lighting design and furnishing items, means to express a way to be and a precise attitude. It means to purposely design in an understated way a personal idea of what freedom is, a personal idea of new, of something you don’t look for, because you live with it every day.

TATO’s design concept results in a new economic and cultural scenario and in a future-oriented tradition of manual dexterity, knowledge of gestures and materials, handicrafts. All those elements that make Italy well-known in the world. There is no industry that can do without handicrafts.

The constant manual working the material and the forms it can take, the surprise and the intimate familiarity deriving from it, gives us back a number of objects representing characters, talking to us within an architecture, feeling always comfortable and behaving. These objects can keep their value over time.

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A good design begins with people.

techniques, both new and old, the

TATO surrounds itself with people who

discovery

are similar but also with very different

geographies

ones. Not only architects and designers

catalogue in which the content stimulus

but a large intellectual group aiming to

and the edition methods are more

research and experiment. Particularly

privileged

than

significant are those relationship with

limitations

and

the local handicrafts in the area where

repetitiveness.

the

company

was

born

and

of

new

in

order

to

the the

production build

a

manufacturing assembly

line

the

international relationship, helping to

It’s not just about good design: it’s

spread its ideas. Listening to people is

about a more complex vision of the

crucial.

people,

world, of things and of living, it’s about

sophisticated people, looking for history

an attitude that brings together a

and culture in the things they choose.

network of knowledge including the

More

and

more

hand-made and machine-made and that TATO

takes

culture

into

particular

account and is engaged in many

is related with the more anthropological aspects of craftsmanship and industry.

processes. TATO likes to dig out from history those objects that are produced

Choosing good authors is necessary to

today but belong to our recent past or

transfer the art phenomenology in the

just to our past.

object and to make aesthetic and functional information be coincident. It’s

It's not just about Good Design

important

There is a special quality in some design

professional and affective relationship

firms,

the

between client, designer and company

basic

that belongs to the culture of the

foundation, also from an economic point

project. So the object becomes a part of

of view. That’s because cultural contents

a vast and very articulate narrative

are more and more an expression of

program that, in pursuing a personal

people’s choices. TATO’s proposal is a

image,

newly structured and poetic model

between

where the visual research goes together

knowledge production.

which

aesthetical

with

is

purpose

industrial

considering as

their

experimentation,

practice

redefines

the

industrial

the

philology of the materials and also the PAGE 206

to

www.tatoitalia.com

an

intense

relationship

production

and

THE

URUGUAY ART EXPERIENCE www.turismo.gub.uy