VOLUME III / ISSUE XI / NOVEMBER 2019
AFRICA POLO OPEN · ABIERTO DE TORTUGAS · PACIFIC COAST OPEN 126 O ABIERTO DE POLO DE RUS HURLINGHAM · KINGS POLO GOLD CUP
POLO
ON THE MOTHER CONTINENT
AFRICA
SOME ARE BORN TO ENDLESS NIGHTS THE ROOFTOP GUIDE RETURNS WITH CAPE TOWN HOT SPOTS
TYLER PERRY STUDIOS
LAUNCHES A NEW HOLLYWOOD
DESIGNERS & INFLUENCERS STYLE FOR A NEW DECADE
PLANET EARTH + PHILANTHROPY FIND YOUR PURPOSE THE SOULFUL LANGUAGE OF
HORSES & HUMANS
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Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Joshua Jakobitz
Stanley Pierre-Etienne
Assistant Copy Intern
Kenneth Carrion de los Condes
Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai Rudy Volel - New York City Michael J. Snell - The Hamptons Stanley Pierre-Etienne - Caribbean Sara Ali - London
Lifestyles Contributor
Editor-in-Chief
Michael J. Snell
Mark Wine
Lifestyles Contributor
Joey Velez
Style Contributor
Fitness Columnist
Wellness Columnist
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor
Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre Style Contributor
Claire Barrett
Head of Photography
Jyoti Paintel
William Smith Philanthropy Contributor
Spiritual Guidance Contributor
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Kemissa Racine
Raphael Dapaah Art Contributor
Gregory Bertrand
Style Contributor
Contributing Photographers Eva Thompson Katerina Morgan Nacho Corbalan Michael J. Snell Candace Ferriera Amanda Sidlow Sonia Curtis-Sloan
Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Copyright Š Polo Lifestyles 2019 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@htpolo.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover Photo of actor Norman Reedus of "The Walking Dead" by Mark Seliger Styling by Benjamin Sturgill Jacket by Loewe
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Guards Polo Club Autumn Nations Tournament Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club British Polo Day Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Thai Polo Open Pink Polo Cup Al Habtoor Polo Club Halloween Cup UAE National Day Cup Sir Winston Churchill Cup Val de Vie Estate Pink for Polo Cuatro Vientos Polo Club XV Copa Tanoira Argentine Polo Association 126o Abierto de Hurlingham 126o Abierto de Argentina Grand Champions Polo Club Wellington Open USPA National Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial 2019 International Cup: USA vs France WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships Manipur, India Manipur International World Cup Delhi Polo Club Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh Cup India Masters Sotogrande Iberian Polo Tour Copa Sotoestates Copa Casa Fagliano Copa Finca Monasterio
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SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS:
ARGENTINA ABIERTO DE TORTUGAS page 42 POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand
Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezareatsdirt
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Josh Jakobitz
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Kenneth Carrion
Kemissa Racine Style Contributor Polo Lifestyles @kemissa
Anne-Isabelle St-Pierre
Mark Wine
Fitness Columnist Functional Muscle Fitness @functionalmuscle
Joey Velez
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles @jyotipaintel
Michael J. Snell
Lifestyles Contributor Brand Representative Mental Wellness Columnist Lifestyles Contributor De Los Condes Dubai Velez Mental Performance MJS Groupe @deloscondes_inspired_living @isasaintpierre @velezmentalhealth @agnello_1
Raphael Dapaah Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery
Stanley Pierre-Etienne
William Smith
Style Contributor Philanthropy Contributor Lanmou Pou Ranyon Santa Fe Comm. Foundation @stanleypierretienne @willismith_2000
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Tyler Perry launches a new Hollywood page 32
Dine "Under" water in Norway page 154
Philanthropists investing in Mother Earth page 138
The Wonder of Wine: Making Wine page 164
AFRICA CELEBRATES POLO
From Cairo to Johannesburg, the Sport of Kings is capturing a new audience by focusing on the athleticism of the players and prowess of the ponies. page 70
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VOLUME III / ISSUE XI / NOVEMBER 2019
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR It’s incredibly fitting that at the Polo Lifestyles office, we associate the month of November with Thanksgiving, a time to celebrate blessings and be surrounded by loved ones. Outside of the United States – we are a globally read magazine after all – every country and culture has a similar holiday. We may prepare different dishes and call it by another name, but the celebration of gratitude unites us around the world. Just this past weekend, in the midst of approving layouts and finalizing sections and departments of the November issue, parts of Northern California were consumed by wildfires, spreading rapidly and wickedly, without rhyme or reason. Over the weekend, the winds accelerated to gusts of over 50 mph and the fires spread across county lines. On Sunday morning before dawn, our neighborhood was evacuated as fires intensified literally in our own backyards. I’ll spare you the dramatic re-enactment, but it was terrifying. As we left home with what we could carry, plus pets and some staples to survive the next-unknown-amount-of-time, we drove in, around and through flames within throwing distance of home. On that day alone, over 200,000 people were evacuated from various neighborhoods. We overwhelmed coffee shops, malls and restaurants. Our groggy, dazed faces and mismatched outfits assembled in the darkness – power had been cut to over 3 million of us – were an identifying trend. We were hungry, worried and questioning why we had grabbed this, but not that. We charged our phones in any available outlet socket and we took turns checking the news for any updates. We were fortunate enough to be allowed home after a few nerve-wracking hours; others weren’t so lucky. On the way home, we saw people exercising and walking their dogs just miles from the fires, blissfully unaware of how close danger came. We made dinner that night and sat at the dining room table in an attempt at normalcy, hearts filled with gratitude to be home, eyes glassy with tears and the realization that life can change in a matter of minutes, knowing that we are blessed beyond measure and I, at least, a little sheepish for the things I take for granted or complain about. Hundreds of messages came in when the power came on and my phone lit up. I found myself sending the message, We are shaken, but safe, over and over. In my journal, I wrote, The feeling of safety after a morning of terror is where I rest my heart tonight. Shaken, but safe. Grateful, but longing for rainy season and its purifying storms. Professionally, I’m beyond-words grateful for the staff who worked overtime to publish this issue on time after 24 hours without power. When I went back into the office on Monday, I drooled over the photos from the Africa Polo Open, the Lina Iris Viktor exhibit, Argentina’s polo action and Paris Fashion Week. I put the finishing touches on my own story about the championship rings designed for the winners of the Pacific Coast Open by Santa Barbara’s own Tara Gray. Our wellness writers spoke to me through their words, too, even as one of them doubted the quality of contribution this month. I hope this issue speaks to you, too. Best, Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com
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The first modern diver’s watch The Fifty Fathoms collection embodies Blancpain’s passion for the marine world, introduced for the first time in 1953 with the creation of the first modern diver’s watch. Ever since, we have worked alongside divers, scientists and underwater photographers in their exploration and discovery of the awe-inspiring beauty of the oceans, contributing in this way to the revelations of this fascinating world and the motivation to protect it. page 19
Nicholas Tse wears Ermenegildo Zegna
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cynthiaerivo The singer and actress portrays Harriet Tubman in the new film "Harriet"
diahann_carroll The world lost an icon in Diahann Carroll, best known for her role on Dynasty
hiveblog SS2020 Elie Saab looks that will take fashion and influencers into the new decade page 22
mocada_museum
the_stylish_equestrian
Congratulations to @tylerperry on the historic launch of @tylerperrystudios in Atlanta, Ga.
Can you tell which designer inspired these new boots? Fresh equestrian fashion coming your way 24/7.
everydayeverywhere Californian firefighters responding 24 hours a day to fires raging as the governor declared an emergency
fashioncoveted Fashion inspiration and lifestyle blogger and Instagrammer promotes beauty, fitness, music and more
ludovicstrl The Eiffel Tower shimmers over Paris in purples shades as relentless rain batters Parisien roofs
marquezgallery An equestrian-themed art exhibition in Cali, Columbia curated by @massartboston
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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
prabalgurung @oprah "has always been an inspiration for me," says Mr. Gurung who created this custom piece for her
xeniaadonts Late for the car, but looking amazing in Giambattista Valli x H&M
sothebys LEGENDS: Warhol/Basquiat will be unveiled at West Bund Art & Design in Shanghai 8-10 November
marrakecharound @mariana_esponda enjoys her time in Morocco's Sahara Desert
garcelle "Looking for love in all the right places" Garcelle is gorgeous in @fendi
pabloramirezphoto Team Ellerstina, a perennial favorite, plays the Argentine season, now in full swing
christiangrosso Facu Sola captured by Christian Grosso soars above the terrain for Las Monjitas at Hurlingham Open
ricky_martin Ricky Martin announced the birth of their son Renn Martin-Yosef
sussexroyal Poignant reminders of community followed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their tour of South Africa page 23
VOLUME III / ISSUE XI / NOVEMBER 2019
SILVER AIR PACIFIC COAST OPEN SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB FINAL: FARMERS MERCHANT BANK 9 / 8 LUCCHESE SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
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tanding at a striking height of five feet, the glorious silver-and-gold trophy for the Silver Air Pacific Coast Open is a dazzling sight. Crowned with an eagle supporting a globe and adorned with semiprecious stones, the trophy is mounted on a redwood base with side panels depicting lively polo scenes. The cup was commissioned in 1908 by friends and members of the Coronado Country Club
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in California. First competed for the following year, it was initially called the All American Polo Trophy. The trophy didn't call the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club home until 1952. The trophy served as inspiration for the championship rings designed by Tara Gray, jeweler of the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. This year, Farmers & Merchants Bank won the coveted West Coast title and proudly donned their
championship rings, truly unique to the sport of polo, for cameras following the trophy presentation. Although common in other major sports, championship rings were the novel brainstorm of tournament organizers and polo enthusiasts. Read more about the rings and Gray's other equestrian jewelry designs in this month's style section.
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PA C I F I C C O A S T O P E N
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REDEFINING THE BENTLEY GRAND TOUR FOR 2035 Inspiring an extraordinary human experience through a perfect blend of technology and craftsmanship.
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TYLER PERRY STUDIOS Grand Opening
Atlanta: Hollywood of the South
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minutes later, and people began to dream the dream. Would there be a Destiny’s Child reunion?
When Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams hit the carpet together, we thought interesting, then Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Lawson showed up just
It all seemed so perfect, especially after Beyoncé and Jay-z popped up inside the party. It didn’t happen but
obody and we mean nobody, throws a party like Tyler Perry. Hip Hollywood was in the house for the star-studded opening of his ground-breaking new Tyler Perry Studios.
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Think about it, an event this big, would have been the perfect time, and somebody like Tyler could pull it off.
just the possibility sent a buzz through the place. The night started with a cocktail hour on one of the new soundstage’s that would later be dedicated to the late Director John Singleton. Tyler welcomed everyone with a funny, reflective and inspiring speech explaining why he built the studio, and how his dream is everyone’s dream. Once he
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finished, he asked everyone to turn around and on the stage behind us stood Jennifer Hudson in a beautiful, red, flowing gown. The song choice was directly in line with Tyler’s message, “Impossible Dream.”
sive red carpet that ran the length of what they call the runway. The massive parking area in between the twelve soundstages. It was an awe-inspiring sight to see the stages illuminated and glowing in the night as Jennifer sang the lyrics to “Impossible Dream”.
And as she sang, the doors to the soundstage opened to reveal a mas-
Tyler promised that he would take us to church and that he did. Sunday’s
service raised the roof and the holy spirit was all over the house. Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, The Clarke Sisters, moved the congregation with their voices, and TD Jakes delivered a sermon for the ages, but it was a moment at the end of the service that had the congregation in tears. Tyler’s staff put together a short, black and white video, that featured the boss and his son Aman burying page 33
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TYLER PERRY STUDIOS GRAND OPENING
bibles in the foundation of each of the twelve new sound stage’s during construction. The video was narrated by Tyler’s young son and as his voice echoed throughout the tent, tears flowed down Tyler’s face. It was such a pure and beautiful moment and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
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After the dedication of the first three soundstage’s, a two-tiered platform rolled on to the runway in front of the crowd and Morgan James performed with a Gospel Choir above her. Best part, midway through the song, the stage began to creep slowly backwards. It was a crazy genius way to
move the assembly down the runway. Everyone just followed the music, from the first set of dedications to the next. But it gets even better, midway through Ledisi took over for Morgan and belted out “Rise Up”.
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Years ago, Tyler visited one of the studios in Hollywood and noticed that none of the soundstage’s were named for African Americans. That is one of the reasons that all twelve of the soundstage’s at Tyler Perry Studios will bear the names of black entertain-
ers. And the importance of the moment, the significance of the gesture was not lost on any of the honorees. Tears of joy rolled down Halle Berry’s face as she received her honor, she was truly touched.
Denzel Washington stood and stared at his stage after the dedication, and as the crowd moved on, he pulled out his cell phone, and took a picture of the sign that sits on the soundstage that will forever bare his name. Whoopi Goldberg, and Spike Lee, like page 35
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TYLER PERRY STUDIOS GRAND OPENING
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their counterparts were humbled by the moment, and very emotional.
Tevin came up to get it right. It was a perfect flashback.
Mary J. Blige was the surprise featured performer at the gala, and she was electric. But the real surprise was the live Karaoke that followed afterwards.
This event had an Oscars level guest list. Everywhere you turned, there were famous faces, really famous faces. Politicians Bill and Hilary Clinton, Representatives John Lewis, Stacey Abrahams and Maxine Waters, athletes (Hank Aaron, Colin Kaepernick Hall of Famer Dave Winfield), rappers (Ludacris, Jay-Z, Diddy, T.I., Two Chainz), musicians (Usher, Patti LaBelle, Maxwell, Jill Scott), actors (Chris Tucker, Viola Davis, Sam Jackson, David Oyelowo), gospel stars (Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, The Clark Sisters), media stars (Gayle
The room was full of some of the most talented artist on the planet, so Tyler decided to pull some friends up on stage. Johnny Gill sang “My My My,” Monica dropped three songs, but the show stopper was Tevin Campbell. He had the entire room on its feet, when he came up and belted out his 90’s anthem “Can We Talk.” It was incredible. Tyler started the song, then page 38
King, Don Lemon, Tamron Hall), and that’s just a small sampling of the famous faces who showed up for the weekend. Before the church service on Sunday, every guest was treated to a tour of Tyler Perry Studios, all 330 acres, and one of the showstoppers was the White House. Yep, there is a White House, as in the home of the president, built on the premises. A full-size replica, that serves as the backdrop for the action on Tyler’s new BET show, The Oval. It really is kind of crazy, and amazing at the same time.
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TYLER PERRY STUDIOS GRAND OPENING
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ABIERTO DE TORTUGAS TORTUGAS OPEN - ARGENTINA
COMING UP: LA DOLFINA VS ELLERSTINA (OPEN FINAL) DELAYED DUE TO FIELD CONDITIONS
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Photos by Katerina Morgan and Nacho Corbalรกn
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LATEST RESULTS: LA DOLFINA 20 / 4 CRIA YATAY ELLERSTINA 16 / 15 LAS MONJITAS LA AGUADA 10 / 13 LA ENSENADA LD POLO RANCH 8 / 17 LA ABU DHABI
A
fter a rain-delayed week, the semi-finals of the 2019 Tortugas Open featured a dominant 20-4 victory for La Dolfina over Cria Yatay, while Ellerstina produced a 16-15 victory over Las Monjitas in a game that will be remembered as an instant classic. The opening semi-final saw a statement game from La Dolfina, as they overwhelmed Cria Yatay in all aspects of open play, holding
their opponents to just four shots in the game. Dominating possession, La Dolfina received contributions from all four 10-goalers with an accurate passing attack that consistently led to open runs downfield. Led by an impressive 10-goal performance from Adolfo Cambiaso, La Dolfina shot 67% from the field to advance to the final with the convincing 20-4 victory.
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O P E N D E F R A N C E PA P R E C
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A B I E RTO DE TO RT UGAS FINA L TBA: LA DO L FI NA vs E LLE RSTI NA
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ABIERTO DE TORTUGAS
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URUS
#SINCEWEMADEITPOSSIBLE
A super sports car soul and the functionality typical for an SUV: this is Lamborghini Urus, the world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle
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126 Abierto o
de Polo de RUS Hurlingham Triple Corona - Pilar, Argentina
Zona A Ellerstina Johor Pablo Pieres 10 Gonzalo Pieres (h) 9 Nicolás Pieres 10 Facundo Pieres 10. Total: 39 page 50
La Dolfina Polo Ranch Guillermo Terrera (h) 8 Juan Britos (h) 8 Diego Cavanagh 8 Alejo Taranco 8 Total: 32
La Albertina Abu Dhabi Agustín Merlos 8 Francisco Elizalde 8 Ignacio Toccalino 8 Alfredo C. Barabucci 8 Total: 32
La Aguada Lucas Díaz Alberdi 7 Alfredo Bigatti 8 Alejandro N. Astrada 8 Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9 Total: 32
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Photos by Katerina Morgan for Polo Lifestyles
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126o ABIERTO DE POLO DE RUS HURLINGHAM
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1V2E6NoI C AE B IFEIRLTMO FDE ES TPI O V LAO L DE RUS HURLINGHAM
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THE ASTON MARTIN DB 11
UNLIKE ANY OTHER
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HONORING AN ICON
QUINCY JONES ROLLS UP IN A PHANTOM
HIGH SOCIETY
MICHAEL J. SNELL @agnello_1 Lifestyles Contributor
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eld at the iconic Wolfgang Puck owned restaurant Spago in Beverly Hills, Forbes teamed up with Fueled by Culture, Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills, Hennessy and The MJS/Groupe to celebrate the work and life of the musical legend Quincy Jones. page 58
Arriving in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Quincy entered the dinner to a standing ovation where he was honored among family, friends, and colleagues for his more than 60 years in the entertainment industry. A celebrated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and film and television producer, Quincy has worked with musical talents such as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Celine
Dion that lead him to hold a record 80 Grammy Award nominations, and28 Grammy wins. He is a recipient of the Grammy Legend Award. The evening also brought in local VIPs including Chef and Owner of Spago, Wolfgang Puck, Quincy Brown, son of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs; actress Rashida Jones; CMO of Forbes Tom Davis; Marcus Damas, the founder of Fueled by Culture; Michael Snell, the founder of The MJS/Groupe and
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HIGH SOCIETY
Michael J. Snell and Milica Stamenich share handwritten words of appreciation on a custom plaque in honor of Quincy Jones' lifetime achievements; guests dined on Wolfgang Puck creations and Moet Hennessy presented Jones with an engraved decanter of Paradis Imperial Cognac.
Jennifer Stroup, the brand director of Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills. Quincy was also honored by MoĂŤt Hennessy for his lifetime commitment to solve racial page 60
injustice and was presented with an engraved decanter of Paradis Imperial Cognac.
Guests enjoyed hand-crafted spirits by MoĂŤt Hennessy and a specially curated dinner menu by Wolfgang Puck himself.
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Top left: Quincy Jones arrives in a Rolls-Royce Phantom at Spago for "Honor the Icon," where he and guests enjoyed an evening of celebrating his achievements; guests included Quincy Brown and Rashida Jones, Marcas Damas, Michael J. Snell, Jennifer Stroup and Wolfgang Puck. page 61
PASSION COLLECTION DREAMED AND DESIGNED BY JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET CREATED BY BACCARAT
THE SOULFUL LANGUAGE OF HORSES & HUMANS A NEW STUDY CONFIRMS
HORSES UNDERSTAND OUR EMOTIONS
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CONNECTIONS BEYOND WORDS RESEARCHERS FIND THAT
HORSES REACT TO & REMEMBER OUR EMOTIONS & EXPRESSIONS
If you have ever owned or spent a lot of time riding with one particular horse, chances are high that you’ve felt some sort of special connection with them — and wondered if horses like, daresay love, humans? Maybe you’ve felt like they were actually your friend, or a part of your page 66
family and wanted to know if the feeling was reciprocal. Research is now confirming that this connection isn’t in your head — and anyone who has ever had a pet before, horse or not, definitely won’t be surprised at some of these recent findings. A new study shows that horses understand and remember human emotions, which makes them even more special than they already are.
This is not the first time scientists have discovered something like this about these animals — previous studies have found that horses recognize expressions. This new research, though, finds that the animals not only recognize expressions, but also remember them and link them to a specific face. In other words, horses can recognize human faces and their emotional expressions, something that
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they then use to discern whether the person is a threat or not.
graphs of humans with either a happy or angry facial expression.
— and, crucially, that they adapt their behavior accordingly.”
This latest study was done by researchers at the universities of Sussex and Portsmouth and was published in the journal Current Biology. While it’s not the first study done on equine behavior, it is the first one to examine horses at this level of detailed behavior, recognition and memory patterns.
Later, they showed the horses the people in the photographs, making neutral expressions. During the real-life meeting, researchers watched the eye movements of the horses.
This research is incredibly interesting for so many reasons. For one thing, it proves exactly how intelligent and emotional horses really are — and that connection you feel with one of these magnificent mammals is a real thing.
“We know that horses are socially intelligent animals, but this is the first time any mammal has been shown to have this particular ability,” Portsmouth researcher Leanne Proops said. “What’s very striking is that this happened after just briefly viewing a photograph of the person with a particular emotional expression — they did not have a strongly positive or negative experience with this person.” The researchers came to this conclusion after a series of experiments where they showed horses photo-
They found that the horses saw those who had been photographed with angry faces to be more threatening (previous research has shown that horses look at negative or threatening things with their left eye). As part of the control, the humans did not know which photographs the horses had seen before, which was done to eliminate the risk of the humans behaving differently. Karen McComb, a professor at the University of Sussex, said in a news release, “What we’ve found is that horses not only read human facial expressions, but they also remember a person’s previous emotional state when they meet them later that day
It’s an important step toward learning more about these important animals, and maybe even animals in general. We still know so little about what goes on in the minds of some of our favorite animals, but this is one way to understand a little bit more about at least one of them. In fact, this backs up previous research that horses have more human-like behavior than ever imagined: horses deal with chronic stress, allergies and even the flu. By Jessica Booth for bustle.com
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SHEIKH ZAYED, CAIRO
KINGS POLO GOLD CUP
In 2019, Kings Polo organized El Gouna Beach Polo, The Embassy of Argentina Tournament, King Mariout Cup and, most recently, the Kings Polo Gold Cup.
K
ings Polo Club is the first integrated equestrian and professional sports complex in Greater Cairo In October, regional publication “Cairo Scene,” said, “If you’ve never experienced the unique the truly unique spectacle that is polo, now is your chance (at Kings Polo)… when they bring together Egypt’s top polo players with their traveled, international counterparts, in the very first edition of Kings Polo Gold Cup at
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what has become the home of polo in Egypt – the sprawling 120-acre Kings Polo grounds and facilities in Sheikh Zayed.” Over three days across the long weekend of October 4–6, the tournament was a something of a grand family affair, one that featured live entertainment, a special kids area and a certain Razan El Maghrabi in the role of MC, as four teams battled in the free-toenter event.
The tournament was the latest launched by Kings Polo, following the growing popularity of its annual Kings Silver Cup in El Gouna, which has, since launching in 2017, become a major sporting and social occasion on the Red Sea town’s calendar – so much so, in fact, that this year’s edition of the beach polo tournament in April was capped off with a spectacular after-party featuring performances from US rappers, Nelly and Tyga, and dance-pop princess, Inna.
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Founded by Egyptian businessman and polo enthusiast, Mohamed El Sewedy, Kings Polo has been established with the aim to re-ignite Egypt’s love affair with equestri-
an sports. In addition to housing a world-class playing field and Argentine-sourced horses, the Kings Polo academy offers lessons for all ages and levels of experience with the
sport, which has suffered in the last two decades from a lack of top-notch facilities.
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KINGS POLO
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KINGS POLO
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KINGS POLO
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KINGS POLO
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AFRICA POLO OPEN
Rebranded & Re-imagined Distinctly South African by Design
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tyled as a series of events, in which the red carpet was rolled out across major luxury brands of South Africa, leading up to a day of rivalry polo, the organizers of the Africa Polo Open have re-imagined and rebranded this lauded event as distinctly African. Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Cup, the Africa Polo Open debuted its new name in 2018. Celebrated photographer Themba Mbuyisa shot the 2017, 2018 and 2019 campaigns that pay homage to indigenous people of South Africa. For 2019, the Basotho people of the southern block of Africa and their traditions, which include strong horsemanship were featured in the editorial promotion. Polo player Namayian Wanjiku Mutlhokia, who plays in Johannesburg, was the featured female model.
AFRICA POLO OPEN
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olo is played in over 15 countries in Africa namely South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Botswana, Uganda and Lesotho. South Africa is the dominant polo playing country on the African continent. Polo is a sport synonymous with luxury, but that doesn’t mean only the rich and famous love the game. While organizers of the Africa Polo Open have stressed the connection to luxury, attending it remains accessible, with various ticketing options ranging from R350 ($24 USD) to R60,000 ($4,120 USD). The celebration kicked off with the 2019 Season Launch at the Rolls-Royce dealership, followed by the Polo & Art Talk and a Player's Welcome at the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel. This year, the polo match up was host South Africa versus Zambia. Publicist and organizer of the Africa Polo Open, Mr. Concierge, said, "Polo is no ordinary team sport. To be at Africa's grand-
est polo tournament is to witness a majestic sport. The bonds that are fostered between (man) and animal leave you mesmerized. Polo is, afterall, the only team sport that is played with such majestic animals." "(And then) there's the connection between polo player and pony; between the individual polo players, both teammates and rivals, and between the two teams. And then there is the connection between the action on the field and the spectators on the sidelines. And finally, there is a connection among the spectators themselves." With every year, the Africa Polo Open grows and becomes distinctly more African, honoring the horsemanship and development of players of African descent, while organizing a luxurious series of launches, cocktails and polo matches designed to draw in both existing polo fans as well as expanding the fan base with appeal that resonates with Africans across the continent. page 85
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CAPE TOWN LUXURY THE BEST ROOFTOPS, HOTELS & POOLS page 97
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YOUR GUIDE TO THE WORLD'S BEST
HIGH ABOVE THE CITY CAPE TOWN
The Silo Hotel rooftop pool
Rooftop Bars
DELIGHTFUL POOLS & ROOFTOP BARS HANS EBENMAN @therooftop.guide Travel Contributor
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ape Town! The financial and legislative centrum of South Africa. Here where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet you will find this continent’s hot spot and a city full of party vibes. Western Cape Province is the most developed region and here you also find the award-winning wine-making industry. Don´t miss a stop in Cape Town when you visit South Africa. It is a must.
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From a rooftop point of view, the city has multiple don’t-miss scenes. Cape Town has an international flavor that is reflected in the city’s rooftop bars and rooftop pool hangouts.
Particularly if you plan on visiting Cape Town during the hot summer months (December to mid-March), a stop at a rooftop pool is key to enjoying the Western Cape region… we guarantee it. Consider a refreshing dip in a rooftop pool, a gorgeous view over the cityscape and a cold drink with some pleasant company of your choice – nothing more, nothing less. Is the pool not your scene? No worries, Cape Town also boasts chic
rooftop bars with impressive views, offerings and service.
THE SILO HOTEL The Silo Hotel, part of The Royal Portfolio, sets the standard for luxury Cape Town accommodations. This magical hotel towers above the Waterfront surrounded by natural wonder. The Silo Hotel was built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex occupying six floors above Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) that houses Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art.
The Silo Hotel and rooftop in Cape Town
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And talk about a view from a rooftop pool… this rooftop pool has it all. With a stunning panorama over the ocean, mountains and the city, a stop here is something you must plan. A visit to The Silo Hotel, complemented with sumptuous choices of food and beverage next to their stunning rooftop pool, is truly unforgettable. Equipped with one of the world’s coolest rooftop infinity pools, this is the perfect spot for luxurious lounging high above the city. During high season, the pool is technically only available
to guests (Why would you be staying anywhere else, though?) at the 28-room boutique hotel, but the rooftop bar is open to all. A reservation request made to friendly hotel staff can confirm your desired space. While you’re enjoying the views and sun, don’t miss out on sampling bites from the bar menu, classic cocktails or local South African wines.
THE CAPE ROYALE POOL DECK In the Green Point area and on the rooftop of The Cape Royale, overlooking the Cape Town Stadium, we find this rooftop pool with a stunning view available exclusively to hotel guests only. Lose yourself in the view as the water cools you off. The Pool Deck rooftop is a perfect stop after shopping in the nearby Waterfront Mall area.
Come thirsty… the drink menu deserves to be taste-tested; it’s Rooftop Guide-approved. The Pool Deck is open early morning until midnight, so whether you’re a contemplative morning person or a late-night party animal, this will feel just like home. Towel service and a water station are both available during the day.
SKY BAR AT THE GREY HOTEL Sky Bar is a cozy and contemporary African rooftop bar, located on top of the fabulous boutique Grey Hotel in the vibrant De Waterkant area of Cape Town. This rooftop boasts amazing views of Table Mountain, completed with panoramic vistas over the city and its surroundings. But views are not all, as this lovely Cape Town rooftop bar also comes with a rooftop swimming pool and a relaxed, yet sophisticated, atmosphere.
The Cape Royale rooftop pool deck
From the outside, the greatest visible change to the building’s original structure is the addition of the ingenious glass windows inserted into the geometry of the hotel floors. These multi-faceted structures glisten like diamonds during the day while at night, the building transforms into a glowing beacon in the Table Bay harbor.
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The Park Inn by Radisson
Sky Bar at The Grey Hotel
Decorated in natural fabrics and colors, overstuffed lounge sofas and day beds, Sky Bar is your new go-to place for intimate cocktails in Cape Town. Open from noon till the wee hours of the night, Sky Bar has everything you need for poolside lounging during the day and pre- or post-dinner cocktails after dark. The rooftop bar serves some very tasty signature creations along with familiar classics. If you feel like something to eat, we highly recommend the Japaneseinspired restaurant, Shio, on the ground floor of The Grey Hotel. page 100
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It is worth noting that the Sky Bar rooftop is quite small and works on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
HARALD’S BAR AND TERRACE AT PARK INN BY RADISSON If you need a luxuriously appointed rooftop pool, you have come to the right place. The rooftop pool and bar perched on the 11th floor of the Park
Inn by Radisson has something extra: a perfect view over the Table Mountain. Take some time to cool off in this rooftop pool and dream away. Yes, you can also eat and, of course, drink here, but the main reason why people come in droves here is the international touch: the combination of a stunning view and a very hip rooftop pool. Harald’s Bar & Terrace opens for lunch, but keeps going late into the evening, so
come for daytime lounging in the comfy sun loungers and dip your feet in the splash rooftop pool and stay into the evening (or come back) to enjoy the colorful and relaxing atmosphere after the sun sinks. The rooftop bar menu is robust, both in terms of food as well as drinks. Choices range from sliders and shares to pizza and burgers along with a special vegan menu. As for drinks, there are both page 101
VOLUME III / ISSUE XI / NOVEMBER 2019 Drinks at Tjing Tjing
classics and Harald’s signature cocktails, an extensive wine list and a selection of fresh juices and smoothies. On Friday evenings, Harald’s pulls out all the stops with buzzing vibes and DJs.
TJING TJING HOUSE ROOFTOP BAR Tjing Tjing House really brings a slice of Japan right to the heart of Cape Town. Renovated and refurbished during summer 2018, here you find Tjing Tjing Torii (Japanese street-food) page 102
on the ground floor, Tjing Tjing Momiji (Japanese fine dining) on second, and if you make your way up to the top (as you should), the Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar. The Tjing Tjing House interiors boast 200-year old scarlet-red wood that gives a cozy, lived-in feel, but the outside rooftop terrace is a bright and high-contrast with natural colors and cozy lounge sofas. The rooftop bar serves fantastic and well-made cocktails with a Japanese
touch, like the Tokyo Rose, Sake Sour or Lost in Translation. Complemented with craft beers and tasty Japanese bites, you can easily spend a couple of hours at the Tjing Tjing rooftop bar. Trust us, you will want to try the Okonomiyaki Fries. Casual but trendy in ambiance, playing current indie and electronic favorites, this Cape Town rooftop bar is open nightly (Tuesday to Saturday) and a great place for tasty drinks and snacks with a group of friends.
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Drink Responsibly
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FASHION & STYLE
THE JEWELER OF SANTA BARBARA PARIS FASHION WEEK
DESIGNERS & INFLUENCERS FOR A NEW DECADE
VOLUME III / ISSUE XI / NOVEMBER 2019
TARA GRAY
THE JEWELER OF SANTA BARBARA
JOSH JAKOBITZ
@pololifestyles Editor-in-Chief
In a sport that's been around for centuries, it's unusual to encounter something that hasn't already been tested, tried, proven or failed. We talk about tournament organization in regard to the three T's: title, team and trophy sponsors.
Jeweler and TV host Tara Gray page 110
Heritage clubs, in particular, aren't known for mixing up that veritable recipe for success. Why mess with what
we know works? That's why I was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to Tara Gray by our mutual acquaintance Charles Ward, well-known to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club members. Gray is the official jeweler of the Santa Barbara Club, but she's not a distributor of Audemars Piaget or Hublot, as the official jeweler of a polo club is generally assumed to be. Her jewelery designs are custom, inspired by her extensive private client list, and
reflect both her incredible attention to detail as well as gem stone quality. "I'm all in for polo," she said in a phone interview on a break from taping her segment of a TV show, TVON, which airs on national cable providers in the United States. TVON focuses on high-end jewelry, sourced and sold directly to buyers. She's long been a polo fan, but "taking (polo) lessons has given me new insight into the sport."
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Argentine halter ring
Diamond mallet collection
That insight turned out to be divine timing for Gray, who was asked to design the Pacific Coast Open's first-ever championship ring this year.
or the spirit of the Pacific Coast Open and its trophy."
"I drew on inspiration from the famous trophy," she said, referring to the larger than life silver and gold perennial trophy that's lived at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club since coming from the Beverly Hills Polo Club in 1952. "It's combination of polo scenes, ornate leaf work and eagles is mounted on a rosewood base. Using that inspiration, I designed championship rings that hon-
There are some hidden meanings, too. For the 110th anniversary of the Pacific Coast Open, Gray included 110 diamonds in each ring. The under gallery of the ring is engraved with a horseshoe. All four members of the winning Farmers & Merchants Bank team that defeated Lucchese 9-8 received one of the rings. The rings complement Gray's other equestrian designs, which she sells
The championship ring for the Pacific Coast Open
online and at the polo club. Rings, necklaces and earrings are all painstakingly designed in the motif of polo: diamond-encrusted and pearlcrowned mallets, harnesses, horseshoes, lead ropes and horse bits. Each design intertwines the meaning, refinement and elegance of the sport of polo. "I was thinking outside of the jewelry box," Gray said about the designs. "Polo opened up a whole new world to me: it relieves my stress, it's Tara-time... my only hobby outside of designing jewelry."
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PARIS FASHION WEEK
WHERE STYLE COMES ALIVE PHOTOGRAPHED BY EVA ESPRESSO
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DESIGNERS & INFLUENCERS
SS2020
COLLECTIONS
FOR A NEW DECADE
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A NEW DECADE FOR STYLE
SS2020 FASHION
TRANSCENDS AND THE RUNWAY BURSTS TO LIFE STANLEY PIERRE-ETIENNE
death this year, every showcase has been a spectacle for the eyes and ears.
W
Today, Chanel remains the most anticipated fashion show every season. It’s the hardest ticket to get your hands on to witness in person.
@stanleypierretienne Style Contributor
hen you hear about fashion week, don’t just go in expecting to see the newest collections from the big luxurious fashion houses or to be inspired by the new young designers showcasing their debut collections, instead be ready for a stop-em-in-their-tracks show. Chanel is one of those fashion houses that puts on a show whenever they present their collections. Under the vision of Karl Lagerfeld, who held the reins of this luxury brand until his
KHAITE
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But Chanel is not the only one. Parisian designers are well-known for exceeding fashion show expectations. Yves Saint Laurent's show featuring Naomi Campbell under the Eiffel Tower created worldwide buzz. The same can be said for the other fashion capitals: New York, Milan (where J. Lo put the Versace show on the front page) and London.
Creating the atmosphere is key to showcasing the collections. The clothes are essential, but they need to be accompanied by the perfect setting, lighting, the front-row influencers and guests, the right background music, the exact runway walk of the models and on and on. Every season is a spectacle that will never grow old. We wait to see how the new clothes are coming out and that creates a certain fidelity to fashion week, which was not a letdown for the collections of Spring 2020. Our favorite moments are captured here in the pages of our November 2019 issue.
MAX MARA
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MISSONI
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LANVIN
LOUIS VUITTON
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CELINE
CELINE
BURBERRY
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PACO RABANNE
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n the current media landscape, where Instagram-able moments seem to appear around every corner, it would be easy to take the impact of set-design for granted. However, over the course of the last several years, set budgets have increased due in part to Instagram and other visual platforms, which have served to strengthen the power of designers to communicate directly with consumers. Intense social media coverage of fashion shows provide the larger fashion community with instant access to front-row views, as they happen. Anyone with streaming Internet can now experience fashion shows virtually, without delay, along with the elaborate set pieces. Stories behind each collection as told through the sets’ lighting, color and sound are processed through the lenses of countless smart phone cameras and devoured in a seemingly endless cascade of posts.
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SAINT LAURENT
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CHANEL
VALENTINO page 134
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POLO LIFESTYLES EXCLUSIVE:
CAN PHILANTHROPY
SAVE THE PLANET? While the debate on climate change rages on, it is happening all the same - and billions of dollars are invested annually to mitigate its impacts. Philanthropy is at the forefront of this wave of investment.
BILL SMITH Philanthropy contributor
F
all is settling in for many of us, including here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For much of the summer, I had dutifully kept my hummingbird feeders full, as well as other feeders with various seed, to accommodate and support the many feathered visitors that call our mountain community home. I learned from an early age to appreciate birds. My father, who just turned 93 and lives with me, has been an avid bird watcher his entire life. Nearly every day, he still grabs his binoculars and heads out to the back patio, watching, investigating, and, yes, frequently chirping or squawking, too.
In early October, the non-governmental organization, National Audubon Society, released a new report, “Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink,” that finds that two-thirds of the birds in North America are at risk of extinction due to the rising temperatures of climate page 138
change. It is almost as if the globe itself is the proverbial coal mine, but it’s not just the canary that is signaling danger, but nearly 400 different species. The threat of the loss of species is but one signal of a changing climate. Many others hit our headlines daily. And while some may continue to debate the cause of climate change, it is happening all the same – and billions of dollars are being invested annually to mitigate the impacts. Philanthropy has been at the forefront of this wave of investment. It led to me ask: CAN PHILANTHROPY SAVE THE PLANET?
Many philanthropists are certainly trying to answer that question with a resounding, “Yes!” Take Michael Bloomberg, whose estimated worth was calculated at nearly $51 billion in 2019, making him the 17th richest person in the world. In June of this year and through his philanthropic organization Bloomberg Philanthropies, he launched
Beyond Carbon. Billed as the largest-ever coordinated campaign against climate change in the United States, the initial investment of $500 million is geared toward getting the United States on a path to a 100 percent clean energy economy. Its initial focus will support state and local efforts in the areas of policies, targets and programs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Indeed, Bloomberg is part of a group of 29 different philanthropists who, in September of 2018, pledged $4 billion in funding focused on climate change mitigation. Described as the largest commitment ever to address environmental issues, the group includes other luminaries in philanthropy like the Kresge Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
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Another American philanthropist and candidate for the office of the United States presidency, Tom Steyer, founded the environmental advocacy non-profit and political action committee NextGen Climate (now NextGen America) in 2013. Steyer made billions as a hedge fund manager and has most notably been a dogged critic of the Trump Administration. NextGen America was initially designed to build an unprecedented political movement around addressing the impacts of climate change. The organization has since evolved to address other issues but remains true to developing a multi-sectoral political movement by
registering voters and by backing climate-friendly legislation and candidates in the U.S.
isn’t what we do after hours. It’s the reason we’re in business and every day’s work.”
Corporate philanthropy has also been active in trying to save the planet. Companies large and small are engaged. From big dollars to environmental causes to replacing plastic straws with paper or bamboo ones, making a statement in environmental philanthropy is core to many companies.
Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard rewrote the company’s mission statement earlier this year and put it succinctly: “Patagonia is in business to save our home plant.” To that end, Patagonia has granted millions of dollars to environmental organizations – one percent of all company’s profits go to philanthropy through their One Percent for the Planet pledge. Since 2002, that has added up to big money—a total of $225 million. The company’s current CEO, Rose Marcario, also made headlines in late 2018 when she shifted an addi-
Take, for example, leading outdoor gear provider Patagonia. Patagonia describes itself as an activist company, and its Web site proclaims that the “Protection and preservation of the environment
Patagonia describes itself as an activist company, and its Web site proclaims that the “Protection and preservation of the environment isn’t what we do after hours. It’s the reason we’re in business and every day’s work.”
INFLUENTIAL PHILANTHROPY
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Patagonia's Rose Marcario
The Wonderful Company's Stewart and Lynda Resnick
Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard
tional $10 million into the company’s philanthropy. The gift was the amount Patagonia received in additional tax cuts at the federal level, a policy change she described as “irresponsible.”
the sustainability problem, then the other problems don’t mean anything.”
dation delivered emergency response grants to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian and, more recently, provided another $1 million in aid to help with rebuilding efforts. But the goal of the foundation is also to build smarter, so that buildings, like health clinics, might better withstand powerful storms.
In late September of this year, the co-owners of The Wonderful Company, billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick, continued their environmental-focused philanthropy with a $750 million gift to advance climate change research at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The Resnick’s donation is the largest-ever in support of research on climate change. The Wonderful Company, privately held by the Resnicks, is behind such brands as POM Wonderful, Wonderful Halos (mandarin oranges), Wonderful Pistachios, the Justin and Landmark wine brands as well as FIJI Water. Stewart Resnick, in an interview with CNBC, said, “We’re in the ultimate sustainability business, which is farming, and we see the changes already. And if we’re going to be helpful, if we can’t solve
The Kresge Foundation headquarters page 140
The gift to Caltech builds significantly on earlier philanthropy from the Resnicks totaling $35 million to establish the Resnick Sustainability Institute and to provide fellowships and awards at the school. Finally, the descriptively named “disaster philanthropy” has been previously covered in this column, for example, in the May issue when we covered the charitable outpouring behind the rebuilding of St -Barths. As the planet warms, so do its waters, and tropical cyclones and hurricanes have steadily intensified. The singer Rihanna, and her foundation, the Clara Lionel Foundation, is rethinking how disaster philanthropy transforms itself from just responding to the aftermath of disasters to building more resilience in communities to help withstand natural disasters, like the hurricanes battering the Caribbean. The Barbadian-born megastar’s foun-
Even before Dorian leveled large swaths of the Bahamas, the Clara Lionel Foundation launched a pilot project across four Caribbean islands, and created a new climate resilience and emergency response preparedness fund to fund further advances. The goal is to move the Caribbean to the world’s first climate-resilient zone that can be replicated. While just a small sampling of the tremendous efforts made by philanthropy, these inspiring examples give reasons for hope. Still, can philanthropy save the planet? Who knows? But what’s abundantly clear is that many philanthropists are hedging their bets that the answer is “Yes.”
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VERNISSAGE {PRIVATE VIEWING}
ft
LINA IRIS VIKTOR: DARK MATTER
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Lina Iris Viktor, Materia Prima II, 2015. Image Details: Pure 24-karat gold, acrylic, poly resin, print on matte canvas, 101.6 x 132.08 cm page 146
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VERNISSAGE: PRIVATE VIEWING
Lina Iris Viktor
Some Are Born to Endless Night DA R K M AT T E R
Lina Iris Viktor usurps the image of the helpless, uncivilized and naked African and, in fact, cuts a poised, assured and goddess-like figure, enamored in ebony and gold. All images courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim Gallery. All images copyright © Lina Iris Viktor RAPHAEL DAPAAH @dapaahgallery Art Contributor
I
t is just after 2 p.m. on a miserable autumn afternoon in London’s east end when I rock up to Autograph ABP. I cannot help but laugh to myself in bemusement as I pass an endless stream of fellow Londoners seeking refuge under the awnings of local cafes and restaurants to escape the relentless beating of the rain. I laugh partially, of course, because, for me, it is London’s precariousness that makes her so faithful to those who know her well. Naturally, I am protected by the large canopy of my trusted brolly, which also allows me to marvel for a few minutes over the impressive architecture of Sir David Adjaye’s Rivington Place building. Despite my earlier triumph in predicting the likely downpour, it would be dishonest of me to claim that I also anticipated the impact that Lina Iris Viktor’s exhibition would have on me. To be completely transparent, I am still digesting how emotional it made me feel, and that, for me, is a testament in itself. I deliberately missed the private viewing of her exhibition, expertly curated, might I add, by Renée Musai, as I expected it would be an uncomfortably snug affair. So, you can imagine how elated the introvert in me was to find that aside from the receptionist hidden behind the screen of her laptop, and one statuesque gallery assistant, I had the entire ground floor to myself. The first portrait that I immediately grav-
itated toward was from the artist’s series, “Dark Continent.” “Dark Continent” is the archaic 19th-century phrase used by Victorian explorers, writers and missionaries alike to conjure up imagery of savagery, barbarism and a lack of civilization in sub-Saharan Africa. Where dark, bare-chested women roamed in disease-infested jungles, and untold fortunes could be had by cruel men of action like Henry Morton Stanley, who dared to brave the perilous journey into the interior. Significantly, whilst Lina plays to these images in this series; posed naked, depicted almost entirely in matte black, and immersed in the jungle, she usurps the image of the helpless, uncivilized and naked African needing saving and redemption, and in fact cuts a poised, assured and goddess-like figure, enamored in ebony and gold. As I moved from portrait to portrait, enchanted by the obvious aesthetic beauty of the work, my mind raced as I mulled over the old and new narratives the artist dispelled and presented in equal measure in her vision of utopia. I finally arrived at the piece that took my breath away—as in I genuinely gasped in awe— “Constellation IX.” It is difficult to describe my experience with this piece. First, I was impressed simply by the sheer artistry of the gold gilding, an ancient practice popularized thousands of years ago by the Egyptians, who valued gold for its association with the Sun God, Ra. Then, I was blown away
Lina Iris Viktor, NO. IX, RECALL, THE GOLD SIFTED FROM DIRT... From the series DARK CONTINENT I – XII GENESIS, 2016. Image Details: Pure 24-karat gold, acrylic, ink, print on cotton rag paper all works: 21.6 x 25.9 cm | 2016
by how painstakingly meticulous each detail was, and how the symbols protruded off the canvas, creating a three-dimensional body of work that gave it an even greater magnitude and immersive allure that seemed to pull me in closer. After a few minutes of studious inspection, I felt myself entering a sort of meditative mode, compelling me to park myself on the bench a few meters opposite the work. As I sat there in a temporary daze, still transfixed on the work, I reflected on an early story my dad once told me as a child regarding the formation of the 17th page 147
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Lina Iris Viktor, First, from the series A Haven. A Hell. A Dream Deferred, 2017-8. Image details: Pure 24-karat gold, acrylic, ink, gouache, copolymer resin, print on cotton rag paper. 101.6 x 132.1 cm
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As I moved from portrait to portrait, enchanted by the obvious aesthetic beauty of the work, my mind raced as I mulled over the old and new narratives the artist dispelled and presented in equal measure in her vision of utopia. I finally arrived at the piece that took my breath away—as in I genuinely gasped in awe— “Constellation IX.” century Asante Empire of modern-day Ghana. I recalled him telling me about the mythical tale of the descension of the Golden Stool, the symbolic seat of the Asante Kingdom carved from solid gold, that was summoned from the heavens by Okomfo Anokye, the high priest. My dad alleged that the souls of the Asante people, including mine, were held in this golden stool, and should it be destroyed or captured, so would our sacred spiritual union and power. As a child, I was in awe, yet skeptical, about the credibility of this story. But in that moment, facing “Constellation IX,” I was reminded of the spiritual significance of pure gold and its association with a higher power beyond its earthly value.
Interestingly, like the artist, I found myself pondering whether ancient and modern African civilizations like the Egyptians and the Asantes had always understood the otherworldly nature of gold, which is why it is so revered and coveted. And whether today, we have undermined its value by limiting it as simply a store of wealth and tool of commerce based on its scarcity. Lina once said, “Art is a vehicle to transcend...It's meant to promote you to think about yourself as a viewer”. As I left the gallery, more lightheaded than I was when I first entered, I slowly began to realize just how hypnotic and meditative her work is. Also, perhaps, despite living in the age of information and big data,
Lina Iris Viktor, Third, from the series A Haven. A Hell. A Dream Deferred, 2017-8. Image details: Pure 24-karat gold, acrylic, ink, gouache, copolymer resin, print on cotton rag paper. 101.6 x 132.1 cm
just how disconnected we are today as a society to universal truths and long-understood concepts appreciated by those from earlier civilizations and societies. Needless to say, I will be returning to Autograph ABP to further unpack and dote on Lina’s work, and I would encourage everyone to do so, too. Lina Iris Viktor: Some Are Born to Endless Night — Dark Matter is at Autograph, London 13 September 2019 to 25 January 2020. The showing is curated by Renée Musai. Gallery Web site: autograph.org.uk
Lina Iris Viktor, Syzygy, 2015. Image details: Pure 24-karat gold, acrylic, gouache, print on matte canvas. 101.6 x 132.08 cm page 149
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NORWAY'S "UNDER" RESTAURANT
The world's largest underwater restaurant in Norway just earned a spot in Time Magazine's World's Greatest Places 2019 list.
BOEING & PORSCHE JOIN FORCES
The giant of the skies will partner with one of the world's most-recognized luxury car brands to design and produce a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, joining the ranks of other automakers in the race to an airborne commute or road trip.
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"UNDER" THE SEA
TIME MAGAZINE NAMES "UNDER" ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST PLACES IN 2019 (WE HAD TO SEE FOR OURSELVES)
TECH
"Under" is designed to withstand harsh weather and rough seas.
The world’s largest underwater restaurant in Norway just earned a spot in Time Magazine’s World›s Greatest Places 2019 list. Fittingly called “Under,” the restaurant — the first of its kind in Europe — has three-foot-thick walls and is designed to withstand harsh weather and rough seas. The 110-foot-long structure resembles page 154
a giant concrete tube that’s half-submerged in the water. Under, which opened in March, is Europe’s first underwater eatery and seats 35 to 40 guests each night, who watch sea life through a 36 by 13-foot panoramic window as they dine. Designed by Snøhetta, the restaurant sits half-submerged into the sea and has three-foot thick walls designed to
withstand the area’s rugged seas. Muted lighting was installed on the seabed so that guests can see the marine life in any weather conditions. The cuisine is, of course, seafood. Danish chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard Pedersen will create locally sourced dishes that include cod, lobster, mussels, and truffle kelp, which is a local type of seaweed tastes like truffles.
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“Fresh ingredients and pure, naked flavors are of utmost importance to us. At the same time, we want to provide an unique dining experience that ushers our guests beyond their comfort zone,” saids Ellitsgaard According to Arne Marthinsen, the project manager for SubMar Group, which is responsible for the project’s marine operations, Under is unique among other underwater structures. “What makes it so complicated and unique, is the fact that it isn’t going to be a simple, concrete storage tank, but rather an amazing, unique experience for people due to the location, the architecture, the interior, the underwater view and of course the delicious cuisine,” Marthinsen said in a news release. page 155
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The restaurant is located at the southernmost tip of Norway, in the coastal village of Båly, in the Lindesnes region. “In this building, you may find yourself under water, over the seabed, between land and sea,” architect Kjetil Trædal Thorsen said in a press release. “This will offer you new perspectives and ways of seeing the world, both beyond and beneath the waterline.” Under has three levels that together span 5,300 square feet. First is the entrance and wardrobe area. From there, guests descend to a Champagne bar, which serves as the transition between the shore and the sea. The lowest level is the dining room. The restaurant recommends that guests allot three-and-a-half to four hours “to
fully escape into our Immersion menu,” according to its website. Under serves locally sourced seafood dishes include cod, lobster, mussels, and truffle kelp, which is a local type of seaweed that apparently tastes like truffles. According to Forbes, a meal at Under can cost upwards of $400. Under was built aboveground on a barge over a period of about six months. The structure was designed to be able to weather harsh conditions. “The first problem is water pressure, as we’re [16 feet] below the surface, but the biggest challenge is the waves,” Rune Grasdal, a senior architect at Snøhetta, told CNN. “Wind and waves are extreme here,” Grasdal said. “To withstand all these
forces, the building is slightly curved, so it can better take to the waves, and it’s thick: [1.6 feet] for the concrete and about [1 foot] for the acrylic windows.” After construction was completed on the barge, the structure was towed into position about 600 feet away, lowered into the sea, and attached to a foundation on the ocean floor in July 2018. “The most exciting experience will be visiting the restaurant during rough weather,” Grasdal told Forbes. “It will be fantastic to see the sea surface broken up by the big waves and the rain, making for a very dramatic view.” Under will also function as a marine research center, studying marine biology and fish behavior through cameras and other tools installed on the restaurant’s façade. page 157
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BOEING + PORSCHE JOINING FORCES TO DEVELOP AN ELECTRICAL FLYING CAR TECH
Boeing and Porsche, meet George Jetson.
The US aircraft giant and German sports car maker announced in early October they are teaming up to “Explore the premium urban air mobility market and the extension of urban traffic into airspace,” through “a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.” Translation: They want to develop an electric vehicle that can fly. The announcement did not include any details about the amount of money or other resources the two companies plan to invest in the effort, or a target date or price range. Porsche’s parent company, Volkswagen AG, is the world’s largest automaker. It has announced a major push into the development of electric vehicles, setting a target of building 22 million electric cars across its brands over the next 10 years. “We are combining the strengths of two leading global companies to address a potential key market segment of the future,” says Detlev von Platen, a member
of the Porsche board in charge of sales and marketing. “In the longer term, this could mean moving into the third dimension of travel.” Boeing’s revenue topped $100 billion for the first time in 2018, although its sales will be sharply lower this year due to the grounding of its best-selling commercial jet, the 737 Max, following two fatal accidents that killed 346 people. It has already shown a prototype of a self-driving electric powered flying car earlier this year.
“Porsche and Boeing together bring precision engineering, style and innovation to accelerate urban air mobility worldwide,” said Steve Nordlund, general manager of Boeing NeXt, a unit of the company working on next generation vehicles and aircraft. Caption: An artist rendering of a possible version of an electric flying car that Porsche and Boeing are planning to work together to develop. By Chris Isidore for CNN Business
Concepts for illustration purposes only. page 160
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THE ART OF
MAKING WINE
From the burden of fruit-bearing CEZAR KUSIK @cezareatsdirt Wine Contributor
the vines will rest while wine makers work
The harvest is finished, the last grapes are picked and hurriedly transported to the winery, and the vineyards are exasperated from months of labor and the burden of fruit-bearing. All the while, golden leafage begins to fall to the ground. It is time for the vines to rest and to slowly transition into the peaceful months of winter dormancy to recharge their vitality. But the wine maker's job is far from over, it is time to make some wine from the recently picked, loaded with flavor, grapes. The art of wine making is a complex and intricate process where nature’s magic, human ingenuity and knowledge, and some luck align perfectly. There is a precise sequence of steps to the basic operation of wine making. Within these steps, there are some nuanced variations depending on the color of the wine and its style. For this article, we will concern ourselves with the production of quality still, dry, white, rosé and red wines. Once the grapes arrive at the winery, they will be sorted by hand, which is page 164
the final stage in controlling the berries’ quality. The bunches are emptied onto a conveyor belt and sorting table and pass by the sorting crew. The damaged, unripe, or rotten fruit is eliminated to ensure that only the finest of the yield is passed to the next stage of crushing and pressing. So-called MODs (materials other than grapes) are also removed; these include leaves, branches, bugs, snails and any other impurities. Here, the wine maker decides whether or not to de-stem the grapes or proceed to crush them with their stems; it’s a stylistic choice since the stems contain additional flavoring and tannins.
Crushing comes first; historically, it was done by human foot treading and stomping the grapes into must, which is a mixture of the pulp of grape juice, skins, and pits. For the most part, today, mechanical presses have replaced the romantic dance of human stomping and eliminated sanitary concerns while improving the quality and longevity of the wine. This is also where the major difference between white and red wine production takes place. White wine juice is quickly separated from its skins and pits to avoid imparting of the astringency and coloring. The red grapes’ juice is left in contact with its skins and pits to extract the tannins and “red” pigment desirable for red wines. It
is a process called maceration, and the longer the maceration, the more color and tannins are garnered to wine. After the maceration, the must is pressed to maximize the volume of juice. Did you know: rosé wine is made from red grapes that are exposed to a shortened maceration to allow only a small amount of pigment to leach into the juice. The longer the maceration, the deeper rosé color achieved.
Once the pressing is done and juice separated from the solids, the proper fermentation can begin. Fermentation is nature’s magically simple process where, with the help of yeasts, sugar in the grape juice is converted into alcohol, releasing a little bit of warmth and CO2. A few decisions must be made at this stage which will have an impact on the style and quality of the final product. There are a variety of fermentation vessels where their shape, size, and, most importantly, the material they are made of matter. Fermenters can be made from stainless steel, concrete, wood, or clay differing in size from a few hundred to thousands of gallons. If your goal is a crisp, brightly flavored wine, you want to use a neutral, stainless steel fermenter. If you are aiming to make a fuller body wine with a richer, more decadent mouthfeel, wood is your best option.
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The Art of Making Wine The choice of yeast is another vital decision. Cultured yeasts (man-bred), most likely purchased at a specialized store, allows for a more controlled fermentation with more predictable results. It’s a safer option where the elements of chance are reduced. Ambient or wild yeasts, the ones which occur naturally in the winery’s environment, are higher risk, they act more spontaneously and temperamentally. Albeit, they are believed to produce wine of a more natural style, giving it a specificity of place and a stronger sense of terroir essential to some wine makers and consumers.
When the primary fermentation of a white wine, which can last from a few days to a few weeks, is finished, the wine maker must decide whether malolactic fermentation (MLF) should take place. MLF is something that all red wines go through. In the case of white wines, MLF changes the style of wine from more acidic, crisp, citrusy to rounder and fuller body. That transformation happens through the conversion of green apple-like malic acid into butter-like lactic acid. That buttery, creamy
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taste in your Chardonnay is the result of MLF. Did you know: When attending to open tank fermenters from above, a worker has to be very cautious not to inhale CO2. There have been cases of people, dizzied and disoriented by a whiff of this odorless, poisonous gas, and falling into a vat and drowning. After the fermentation process is completed, the wine goes through the filtering and fining stages to rid the still fairly unstable wine of the precipitates and solids which collect at the bottom of the fermenting tank or float in the liquid. Racking of wine, careful transferring of it from one vessel to another, is the most basic form of filtering. Commercial filters are used as well, and egg whites or clay are often used in fining. These substances adhere to unwanted solids in wine and force them to the bottom of a tank where they can easily be removed. Again, the extent to which filtering and fining are performed will decide on the style of the wine. The “savage” style, as I call it, is a result of minimally filtered
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wines. These wines will often be murky with a chewy texture and primal flavors. Did you know that Blanc de Noir, literally meaning “white from dark,” style of champagne is made exclusively from red grapes – Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. This type of champagne is achieved by not allowing the pressed grape juice to remain in contact with the grapes’ skins, where the color comes from. Most red and some white wines are set aside for barrel aging. Mainly wooden casks are used to allow for the exchange of oxygen from the outside. It improves the quality of the wine, stabilizes it, and adds complexity. A small amount of wine evaporates during this stage, and barrels have to be topped off to prevent wine’s oxidation. The evaporated wine is poetically called the Angel’s Share. Bottling and stopping the wine, whether with a cork or screwcap, follow. Specialized machines perform these tasks, and watching the process is a testimony of human engineering ingenuity and precision. The final step is labeling, which I have always found fascinating, not the task of gluing the label onto a bottle, but what the content of the label
does to a bottle of wine. A wine label is its birth certificate, its rite of passage, its stamp of authentication. Considering its limited size, a wine label contains a lot of information; it tells us where the wine is from, what year it was made, the name of its maker and the grape(s) variety(s) inside the bottle. Labels are known to depict helpful maps, contain soil composition and wine making info. They also happen to be works of art. Historically the labels of the famous Bordeaux producer Chateau Mouton Rothschild have been designed by such names as Miro, Chagall, Picasso and Dali, just to name a few. While purchasing or ordering a bottle of wine, we exclusively rely on the authenticity of the label and its information. Did you know: The 2016 documentary film, “Sour Grapes” depicts an international wine fraud by the name of Rudy Kurniawan, who was a rich Indonesian wine collector considered to possess “arguably the greatest wine cellar on Earth.” His specialty was red Burgundy wines. Kurniawan would collect empty bottles, refill them with inferior wines, and forge the labels. He was busted while attempting to sell bottles of Grand Cru red Burgundies from a vintage in
which those particular wines were not produced. From the long growing season in the vineyard through the painstaking wine making process, our wine is finally in a bottle, sealed with a cork, dressed in its label, and ready to be consumed. Some wines are meant to be consumed shortly after bottling. Other, more serious wines are meant to be aged in the bottle for years, even decades, often a requirement stipulated by the laws of a wine region. Rioja’s red Gran Reserva wines, for example, must have a minimum of 24 months in barrels, followed and supplemented with aging in a bottle of at least 36 months. In the bottle, the wine evolves; its flavors change, its texture softens, and a subtle complexity emerges. However long you decide to hold on to your special bottle of vino, remember that wine is like a human being; it has different things to offer at different stages of its life. And while savoring a glass, whatever the occasion may be, aside from the instant gratification that wines provide, try to marvel the nature’s miracle ways and honor the labor of those who helped in its creation. page 167
SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE
SATURN
PART II
HOW THE PLANETS PLAY A ROLE IN WHERE AND WHEN WE ARRIVE JYOTI PAINTEL-BOWLES @jyotipaintel Spirituality Contributor
“Consider those who point out your faults your most benevolent Teachers.” -Lao Tzu, The Dao de Jing
In last month’s column, I discussed the astrological event called Saturn Return, which affects most people right around their late 20s to early 30s. This time coincides with a threshold that most adults cross at this point in their lives , one when our ideas of who we are begin to take hold and life’s responsibilities and our needs for self-discipline become more pronounced. It’s no coincidence that this is also the time in our lives when both relationships and our careers become more prominent. All the planets play a role in creating the places in life where we arrive. These places come in the form of a decision, crossroads that we must come to again and again.
The planet MARS is about your motivation, initiative, aggression, your confidence, physical strength and stamina. Mars controls what you want to achieve, where you put your energy and how much of a risk-taker you are. The more carnal or physical aspects of the planet controls how you express your anger. It’s also your sex drive, and what you desire and give in a sexual relationship. JUPITER governs your ethics and philosophy about life. It’s your source of luck and abundance, where you’re cautious, and where you want to learn and how you can benefit from that knowledge. Jupiter is a lucky charm that expands whatever it touches, thus showing what it is that you do on a large scale. It shows where you receive financial benefits and how generous you are with others. URANUS is where you seek freedom. It’s your source of unconventionality, what makes you rebel, where you do the unexpected, and where you’ll find change. NEPTUNE is all about what inspires
you and where you’re easily deceived. It’s about illusion, confusion, imagina-
tion, and creativity. This planet creates emotional projections that are illusive and hard to tie down. It’s where what you thought was real isn’t, and what you thought wasn’t real is. It’s like a blind spot where you don’t see something until it’s too late. But you probably needed to see it from the very beginning. PLUTO represents where you feel powerless, where you want to take charge and feel more powerful, and where you experience great change. It’s about the big events in your life and getting rid of the old to make way for the new. SATURN’S realm is responsibility and
will show you how to grow through relationships, raising children, pursuing a challenging career, finding discipline for an art, etc. If you’ve indulged in wishful thinking, Saturn finds a way to make this painfully obvious. It’s not just designed to humiliate you, but to inspire you to stand on solid ground.
SATURN RETURN:
How to Understand, Survive and Thrive
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SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE
SATURN
THE PLANETS PLAY A ROLE IN WHERE & WHEN WE ARRIVE want. With this deeper understanding of our “self,” the process of discerning or the gathering of preference, we then have the knowledge to color our canvas of life. This process allows us to innately know what we do not want. This is where our return Saturn shapes us as romantic partners.
In regard to our professional lives, our careers take on more importance during our 30s because we are entering a new phase of our emotional maturity. This new phase has very little tolerance for dissatisfaction or feeling unfulfilled or uninspired by our work. It is also a time when we begin to start “adulting,” a modern colloquialism for doing prudent things that we might have found silly in our carefree youth. A perfect example, being more mindful about our budgets in order to save up to buy a house and securing financial stability and growth as we enter middle age. If our careers are not on track by this point in our lives, there is a great possibility that we will find ourselves doing something to self-sabotage our job—maybe we start to lose passion or we eventually burn out. At this point, we must remember that we are humans, not robots, and we are not meant to toil at a job without it having some profound effect on our quality of life. We will probably act out our unspoken desires or conflicts, whether we know we are doing it or not. page 172
If you are going through this now, but are not in late 20s or early 30s then I have some good news and bad news. Our Saturn Returns, while the most difficult part of our challenging life transit, also periodically shows up in retrogrades—chaos, confusion and upheaval—meaning it can make an appearance a few times a year. What’s the good news? What exactly is the point of this confusion? Clarity. Authenticity. Self-Acceptance. Joy.
Saturn’s True Quest: Finding You!
Yes, our Saturn, the Great Punisher, is meant to be our teacher. Where we arrive in our lives has something to do with fate but more precisely to do with our free will to decide. To make the choices in our lives that are right for us. Sometimes we make life choices before we really know who we are. At the Saturn Return, some of these choices are revealed to be out of sync with our true destiny. And it’s a big deal, since there may be marriages and whole careers up for review. The U.S. Census reports a peak of divorces around age 30 when promises made in the blush of youth do not match the core of either person as they approach this turning point. On the other hand, Saturn may bring a fated relationship, that leads to a serious commitment with long-term potential. As Lord of Karma, Saturn brings you what you have earned through your
disciplined pursuit of goals and experience. You will find out during the Saturn Return what you have manifested up to that point and how well you have used your talents. No wonder it’s a feared transition, it is like the mid-semester exam! In myth, Saturn is also the God of the Harvest, and it is harvest time during your Saturn Return. If nothing’s been sown, and therefore, very little reaped, you will realize it’s time to get busy. The scythe of Saturn prunes away the useless bits, and that can feel like a death of the self. Saturn often brings a death to the old ways of doing things, but later on, you are likely to say, “Good riddance!” The death phase is never easy, but keep in mind that rebirth will come. When serious Saturn overtakes your life during this hugely important initiation into adulthood, it is important to remember that, “This, too, shall pass.” The harshness of this period can make you feel washed up, parched, disillusioned. But it can also be a time of taking stock, liberating yourself from all kinds of baggage and starting anew with a clearer sense of purpose. It’s never too late to be who you were meant to be. The Saturn Return reminds you of what is truly important and makes sure you are on the path to claim your highest potential.
ST-MORITZ
SEASONAL COLLECTION
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Welcome Home
MAGICAL NOHO LOFT THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS 710 BROADWAY, 2ND FLOOR, NEW YORK CITY $4,250,000 USD
Two giants in the design world, Gachot Studios and Paul Fortune, recently collaborated to create this AD-featured top to bottom gut renovation of the most gorgeous full floor Noho loft to come on the market in...Well maybe, ever. Every square inch has been thoughtfully and lovingly considered in this exquisite one bedroom plus guest room (interior bedroom), both en suite. Twelve-foot ceilings and beautifully scaled rooms combine to create an extraordinary volume of space that achieves a sense of luxury and authenticity without a hint of pretension. The private key-locked elevator opens to a foyer with custom built-in oak coat closet and seamlessly flows into the living room designed for comfortable gatherings with friends and family; here there are soaring ceilings, three massive west-facing sash windows, and grand wall space perfect for displaying even the largest works of art. Throughout are rift and quarter sawn oak floors. The kitchen with chef ’s island has custom millwork, flawless Vermont Denby marble countertops and backsplashes, easy-glide drawers, and a suite of stunning high-end appliances from Bosch, Wolf and Sub-Zero—a cook’s dream kitchen. page 184
The adjacent dining room is spacious enough to accommodate large parties. One-of-kind leather floors lead to the master suite which includes extensive custom closets with in-laid mirrored closet doors accented with gorgeous architectural hardware, a gas fireplace, and four fixture master bath with radiant heated floors, private water closet, Zuma soaking tub, luxurious stall shower and floor-to-ceiling imported marble with Waterworks fittings. An interior room with en suite bath, also customized to the highest level, functions as a pin drop quiet bedroom. Additional features of this extraordinary ~2,550 square foot loft include multi-zone central heating and cooling, laundry room with floorto-ceiling storage, a powder room with marble flooring, wainscoting and countertops with Waterworks fittings, and a perfect office nook. The list of special features goes on and on. Storage conveys with the residence. Located in the heart of Noho down the block from Washington Square Park and scores of trendy stores and delicious restaurants and proximate to all major transportation. Nearby subway lines include the 4/5/6/N/Q/ R/W/L/F/M. Pets are welcome. Please note that various vintage light fixtures are excluded from the sale.
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COACH WINE: FUNCTIONAL TRAINING
CORE! NOT ABS!
DEVELOP CORE STRENGTH (NOT JUST YOUR ABDOMINALS)
The entire balance of your bank account and all the tips on the Internet can't help if you don't follow some basic guidelines. MARK WINE CSCS, BA, USAW, PT, PES, CES @functionalmuscle Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
in the back; the diaphragm, which makes up the roof; and the pelvic and hip girdle, which forms the bottom.
Having a six-pack is arguably the most sought-after goal in the fitness industry today.
Therefore, by definition, the core is a combination of numerous musculatures throughout the human body that is involved in every action of the human skeletal and musculature system. It is vital that individuals train their core by incorporating more real-life stabilization movements and do not only focus on flexion and extension of the spine.
Unfortunately, the mere thought of a ripped stomach leaves individuals falling short of properly training their midsection. The core is often thought of and referred to as “the abs.” In truth, abdominals only cover the front part of the stomach and makeup merely a portion of the core. The core is a combination of the abdominals, which cover the front part of the stomach; the obliques, which make up the sides; the paraspinals and gluteals, which are located
Each muscle within the core is responsible for different functions during movement and non-movement. For example, the lower abdominals, which consist of the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and internal obliques, provide anterior stability to assist the spine in stabilization; the erector spinae group acts on the posterior to maintain upper body erection.
These muscles provide a base for the body’s stabilization during numerous movements and non-movements. In contrast, the external obliques are responsible for creating and controlling rotation, which is then assisted by the hip and upper back. Each muscle that makes up the core region has different responsibilities during the various movement patterns. Thus, it becomes vital to engage in a resistance training program that centers on proper development of the core and not just the abdominals.
Total body core development allows individuals to fully reap the benefits of having a shredded six-pack or 12-pack.
Abdominals act as a prime mover, which is the main muscle called upon to perform an action, do not have a lot of functionality. Although most personal trainers and abs programs place a major emphasis on developing abdominals, proper programs and personal trainers should also focus on core development to increase functionality.
One of the most common core exercises that properly develops the core is known as the plank. This position requires proper core development and stabilization of the spine.
Benefits of properly developing the core include relieving lower back pain, having a ripped six-pack, more efficient power transfer from the lower to the upper body and an overall strength to performance increase. Proper core training entails movements often seen as total body exercises. These exercises often require balance with little to no movement.
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THE EVOLUTION OF PERSONAL TRAINERS movement and an awkward position, what makes this exercise functional to real life or sports performance? The plank places the midsection into a stabilized neutral spine position. Since the core is responsible for providing a stabilized base during various movements, a neutral spine will often allow for enhanced life and sports performance. An analysis of running and sprinting will help shed some light into how core stabilization is important. “Running is a series of unilateral hip flexion and extension movements that can place considerable amounts of destabilizing torques on the trunk.� More simply stated, running is numerous uninterrupted single leg hip (knee up) and extension movements (downward swings follow through), which require a high degree of stabilization. Running requires an individualized focus on each limb because it requires unilateral leg action acting separately. More importantly, running requires extreme core stabilization. The core provides the base for the hip flexion and extension, along with pelvis rotation. Without a strong core, one would not be able to run efficiently and effectively. Due to the nature of movements performed through the core, proper training programs should engage in both core and abdominal training. Functionally speaking, there are few movements that flexion and extension of the spine are involved in with regards to life or sports performance. However, developed abdominals will lead to a sixpack while providing greater strength for stabilization of the body. Your core is the center of all movement and, when forces are generated from your lower body, they must be transferred through the core to be performed efficiently. The core reacts with proper timing and control. A proper exercise program should entail exercises that require rotation, stabilization, power, strength, flexion and extension of the spine and exercises that combine all the aforementioned. Only then will performance be increased in every facet of life. page 190
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FIGHT THE URGE
WHAT'S YOUR ? PART II
JOEY VELEZ, MA, MBA @velezmentalperformance Wellness Contributor
While practicing self-discipline can help you overcome challenges and resist temptation, it may not be the best course of action for those periods of self-doubt. When you reach a point at which you question your every move, your self-discipline may help you remain afloat, but it will become progressively more challenging to stay the course because you have lost the bigger picture. Therefore, it is important to understand your purpose. That way, you can discover your why – and stay the course! What is Purpose?
Purpose is the reasoning for which something is done, and understanding it can increase your happiness, provide a sense of direction and boost your resiliency. Research demonstrates that the neurotransmitter dopamine plays an important role in happiness because it mediates the transfer of positive emotions throughout the body. Therefore, whether through helping another individual or achieving a personal goal , you become happier when you experience page 194
a sense of accomplishment. With an intention in mind, we plan more effectively and move in a confident direction instead of walking blindly through the desert. Also, difficult times will seem less overwhelming when you have a sense of guidance in the world. When faced with a setback, you are more likely to discover new ways to reach your destination because you know where you want to end up. However, when you wander purposelessly and encounter roadblocks, you are more likely to pick up your things and move on to something else. From a physical standpoint, having a purpose has several benefits for your mental health. According to the Journal of Health Psychology, having an awareness of your purpose helps reduce stress, improves your coping abilities and provides health-promoting behaviors. While having a purpose does not change the daily annoyances and difficulties of life, but you are able to cope with setbacks more effectively since you understand the bigger picture. By coping to adverse situations more effectively, you experience less stress. When you experience less stress, you are more likely to exhibit health-promoting behaviors such as exercising, eating healthier, and expressing positive emotions (i.e. laughing, smiling, etc.) Individuals with purpose are more likely to have the approach of “one step backward, two steps forward.” When we understand our objective, we perform more positive health-related activities. Self-care is crucial in improving both
your physical and mental state, and according to the Review of General Psychology, people who have a greater sense of meaning may be more likely to take care of themselves because they have this ultimate sense of purpose to achieve. Personal Experience
During my junior and senior years of high school, I was voted most inspirational member of the varsity basketball team. At the time, I consistently warmed the bench and took on the pessimistic, What am I doing wrong? Fittingly, I viewed this award as “The person who never plays but cheers a lot.” This marinated within me for the next eight years as I continued to hold a pessimistic view on life. I was not motivated; I was ready to quit school and felt I had no purpose in life. In 2010, I had a conversation with my older sister, a psychology student at San Diego State University, and told her my feelings about education and that I was ready to move on. As you might imagine, she suggested otherwise, and I followed her guidance by taking a psychology course in the upcoming semester. This was a life-changing moment, as I used this class to fuel change in my perspective and to renew focus on my educational journey. However, I still had no direction. It was not until I was standing at the podium of the graduation ceremony receiving my MA in Sport Psychology, when I felt a sense of purpose, and it led me back to those most inspirational awards. Those awards were not given
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to me because I cheered a lot but never played; rather, I received those awards because my purpose was to care for, motivate and inspire others to achieve their goals. Even to this day, I cannot explain the amount of relief I felt once I discovered my purpose, but I can explain how satisfying it is to be able to care for, motivate and inspire others each and every day. Understanding Purpose
To understand your purpose, you must ask yourself two important questions: What do I want, and why do I want it? The “What” question provides you with direction toward what you want to achieve, and the “Why” question provides meaning. Acknowledging what you want, and why, will make dreadful tasks feel more purposeful because they are a key piece toward completing the
puzzle. The perfect example is losing weight as a new year’s resolution. At the beginning of the new year, we will make goals like “Go to the gym five days a week” or “eat healthy”. However, according to Forbes, studies show that less than 25 percent of people stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only eight percent accomplish them. Beyond utilizing ineffective goal-setting strategies, we generally do not understand why we are setting these resolutions, therefore, the purpose is missing. Ask yourself: Why do I want this? If you begin a meal plan to lose weight because that is what society says you should do, then you will be less likely to stick with your goals – rather than developing that same meal plan to challenge yourself to live a healthier life and
to prove to yourself that you can follow something and stick to it. Final Thoughts
It is also essential to understand that not knowing your purpose does not make you worthless. However, there are plenty of benefits when you have that sense of purpose: improved motivation provides direction and helps you focus on what is important in your life. Therefore, I challenge you to discover your sense of purpose. What is it that you truly want? What is it that you truly enjoy? What impact do you want to make? What legacy do you want to leave? It may be difficult to answer all these at once, but over time, the more you think about them, the answers will become clear. Find your purpose and discover a new perspective on life.
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