CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
Issue_
47
ELITE ELEVATED EXCEPTIONAL A network of the nation’s top performing real estate strategists and analysts in coastal and waterfront communities nationwide.
Navigating From Harbor To Home SUSAN VANECH LIC. RE SALESPERSON M: 203.685.2348
ANGELA SWIFT LIC. RE SALESPERSON M: 203.253.5292
compass.com
Susan Vanech and Angela Swift are real estate licensees affiliated with Compass Connecticut, LLC, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.
Still Life with Watermelon, Oil on Canvas 36” x 38” Through the Window, oil on canvas, 28” x 22”
www.julieleff.com www.julieleff.com
203.434.8655 203.434.8655
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Spring Issue_47
80 SPOTLIGHT 12 Derby Day: The Sport of Kings and Queens
16 WineaPAWlooza: Best of Class Vintners Support Animals
20 Photographer Profile Sara Kerens
FEATURES
Stephanie Dillon, Sustainably Yours
56
Unlock the Equity of Your Luxury Assets at Shutter Speed
66
Jesus Rojas: A Retrospective ON THE COVER IMAGINE, by Guy Stanley Philoche, featured on page 80 4
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
48
72
72
Behind the Camera with Ron Galella
80
Cover Story Guy Stanley Philoche For the Love of Art
90
Lucia Kaiser: Uncut, Unedited and Uncaged
Ron Galella
48
56
STYLE 44 Fashion 4 Development Sustainable Living is the New Fashion
Juan Carlos Ariano
PULSE 98 M usic Chrystabell x
Vital Neuro Explores the Spectrum of Frequency
APPETITE 24 The Golden Palate Palm
34
Beach County -- Start Spreading the News.
25 Venü Vines The Results for the AFWC’s All Americas Competition
26 Venü Vines Honoring Michel Rolland
REAL ESTATE 30 Compass Let’s Get Phygital with Susan Vanech on Real Estate NFTs
66
16 28
DESIGN 34
allas Design Scene D Q&A with designer Brenda Houston
38
andala Lab: An interactive M space where emotions can turn to wisdom CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Spring Issue_47
114
106
TRAVEL 106 Savannah A trip down Perry Lane
TRANSPORT 110 Yachting A Green Guide to Boating
WELL-BEING 113
rounding Bringing G Medical Advice Back Down to Earth
116
022 Global Wellness 2 Trends
VENÜGRAM 120
Spring by Meriç DağlI
IN EVERY ISSUE 8
Publisher’s Letter
10 Masthead
116
113 6
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Alex Katz, Margit, 1993, oil on canvas, 90x66 in., Courtesy of Marlborough, New York
What better way to herald spring than with a look at people who never fail to seize
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
found his voice. His is a story that gives us all permission to Imagine.
the day with that unbridled optimism and
Music to our ears is the soul-sooth-
fearlessness that nature herself embod-
ing therapy of Vital Neuro™, an innovative
ies. It doesn’t matter how harsh the winter
names, Jackie Kennedy, Marlon Brando, Liz
neurotech platform that integrates music,
or daunting the future, because for them for
Taylor, John Lennon, to name a few, doing
sound, and brain monitoring in real-time
each new season promises an inspiring new
ordinary things. There’s a name for photog-
to alleviate stress and anxiety. As you will
palette that is theirs for the making.
raphers like him, paparazzi, and it tends to
read in Kami Sloan’s interview, singer, and
Take Lucia Kaiser, a formidable force of
incite controversy whenever it’s used. But
actress Chrystabell teams up with the medi-
nature herself, whose life story reads like an
unlike the camera-toting stalkers the famous
tational brand to explore the spectrum of
adventure novel, part fantasy, part fairy tale,
love to hate, Ron Galella has legions of
frequency. Music is Chrystabell’s medicine,
all captivating and soon to be celebrated as
fans of his own, including many of the stars
and she is on a mission to share its comfort-
a TV series. Her curiosity took her around
whose photos are immortalized in his 22+
ing powers with the world. Her timing
the world, her charms opened doors and
books. And while his pictures are one-of-a-
couldn’t be better.
her courage created careers and connec-
kind treasures in themselves, it is his affable
Sustainability is a fashionable lifestyle
tions that belie the life-changing challenges
personality and innate passion for photogra-
choice for Founder of Fashion 4 Development,
she faced. And as you’ll read in our article,
phy that makes him one too.
Evie Evangelou, and to address the crucial
she can’t wait for her next chapter to unfold.
Our cover artist Guy Philoche expresses
threats of U.N.’s Climate Change report, she
his feelings in colors bold, bright and brim-
sparked a global campaign that pushes the
Photographer Ron Galella made a name
ming with insightful messages both nostal-
CODE RED Initiative, motivating individuals to
for himself by catching celebrities with big
gic and nuanced. Hailing from Haiti, raised
be more conscious in their daily practices of
in Connecticut and now rooted in New York,
what they eat and wear and teaching brands
Neither can we.
he followed his dream from illustrious art
how to adapt to healthier business practices.
schools to streets culturally illusive where he
Just what’s needed now to nurture Mother Nature in-order to sustain our future. We hope that as you read about our exceptional tasting dinner with legendary winemaker Michel Rolland, world-renowned for his unrivaled wine expertise, the rescue animals at the heart of Napa Valley’s beloved wine auction, WineaPAWlooza, Dr. Sinatra’s grounded health advice, Jesus Rojas’ visual language and the mind-blowing interactive architectural designs of the Mandala Lab at the Rubin Museum of Art, you’ll enjoy the shared optimism that defines this issue. Happy Spring!
Cover Story Guy Stanley Philoche Imagine, 2022 Mixed media on canvas 72 x 60 inches Cover story on page 80 8
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Tracey Thomas Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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SPOTLIGHT: Derby
Day
DERBY Day
The Sport of Kings…and Queens
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CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
By Robin H. Phillips | Photos by Stuart Walls / Woodstock Studio CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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SPOTLIGHT: Derby
Day
thoroughbred horses raced one and a half miles. While the high style of the Derby is something many of us are familiar with today, a horse race was not an event most American women would feel comfortable attending back in 1875. A typical upper-class American woman would most certainly have eschewed the drinking and gambling that normally takes place at a racetrack. Clark, knowing that European races were a spectacle designed to entertain both sexes and were an event for those in high society, set out with his wife’s help to entice women to join their husbands for the day. Their PR campaign invited Louisville ladies to come and picnic at the event. The key, though, was to announce that “full morning dress” was required – code for wearing their best fashion which included the finest in millinery. From then on, Derby was
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as much an event about fashion and style as it was about the nation’s finest race horses.
here are few sporting traditions
Like most other beloved American sport-
as steeped in history as the “Run
ing events, you don’t have to be physically
for the Roses,” aka the Kentucky
present at the race to watch, cheer, and
Derby, held at Churchill Downs in
celebrate it in style. Countless events happen
Louisville every May. And few sporting events
across the US every Derby day, from parties at
inspire such stylish, cultured and fashionable
hip bars and restaurants in Los Angeles, New
merry-making that Derby does. From the big
York, and Washington DC, to public tailgating
feathery and flowery hats to the sterling cups
events in affluent suburbs. One such Derby
filled with mint juleps, to the shiny colorful silks of the jockeys and the glistening coats of the ponies, this exciting race—lasting on average two minutes—is something millions of fans look forward to each year. The Kentucky Derby is an American classic—a tradition that began in 1875. The father of the event, Meriwether Lewis Clark, was the grandson of William Clark – of the famous explorer duo Lewis and Clark. In the 1870s, Clark visited Europe where he attended England’s Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris Longchamps. Blown away by
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CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
party much loved in its community takes place the pomp and circumstance of these events,
at Southport, Connecticut’s historic Pequot
Clark was inspired to create an American
Library. The Derby Party Fundraiser was
version to celebrate the “sport of kings.” With
started in 2009 by Graham Michener and his
the gift of land from his uncles John
wife, Jane. Southport residents, the Micheners
and Henry Churchill, and after
loved taking their kids to the Pequot library.
formally organizing a group
They were especially drawn to the grand
of local race aficionados
expanse of lawn that stretches out in front
comprising the Louisville
of the historic building designed by noted
Jockey Club, Clark and the
American architect Robert H. Robertson. “We
Club raised funds to build
noticed that this was an underutilized great
a permanent racetrack in
lawn,” explains Jane Michener. “We envi-
Louisville, Kentucky. On May
sioned a festive, fun Derby Day Party which
17th, 1875, the racetrack gates
would be both a “friendraiser” as well as a
opened to the very first Kentucky
fundraiser.” Graham was a board member of
Derby. While a cheering crowd of about
the library, and together with staff and volun-
10,000 looked on, fifteen three-year-old
teers there, they created the first Derby Party
Photo by_Daren Whitaker
Five Derby Deets
(YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW)
1
The Kentucky Derby trophy is made of 14
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The Derby is called 'The Run for the Roses'
karat gold and stands on a jade base. It’s 22
inches tall and weighs 3.5 pounds.
because the winner is awarded a blanket
(that weighs about 40 pounds!) sewn with over 400 roses post-race.
3
Almost 120,000 mint juleps are served every year. That many drinks requires 1,000
pounds of fresh mint, 60,000 pounds of ice,
and 10,000 bottles of bourbon.
4
As one of the most prestigious venues at Churchill Downs, Millionaire’s Row boasts
one of the best vantage points at the track. For the 148th Kentucky Derby packages start at $799.
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If you attend, you might see Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, a former US President or some-
one from the British Royal family. Famous folks love the Derby!
BONUS FACT: If all deadlines are met, it costs over $50,000 to enter the race.
event. The tradition continues today – and
auditorium to watch on the big screen. Since
Please visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn
this year marks its post-pandemic return.
no one wants the fun to end, there is even
more about this vibrant library, educational,
“After a two-year hiatus, we are thrilled
an after party with a DJ and dancing. It’s a
arts and cultural institution. For information:
to be hosting our Derby Day fundraiser on
celebration of community, fashion, and the
(203) 259-0346 ext. 115. Follow Pequot Library
May 7 ,” says Stephanie Coakley, executive
magic of this historic race. ☐
on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
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director of Pequot Library. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is evident that Pequot Library’s patrons and friends are very much looking forward to supporting the Library at this trademark annual event.” Pequot’s Derby party is quite a sight to behold and the event sells out fast. The festivities start with tailgaters parking their cars in a horseshoe pattern on the Great Lawn, with elaborately decorated and themed trunks facing the library. Tailgaters and individual ticket holders stream into the event, donning their dramatic hats and stylish Spring apparel as they mingle with other guests, enjoy drinks in the spirit of the day, and delicious local cuisine. A few minutes before the race, everyone convenes in the CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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SPOTLIGHT: WineaPAWlooza
N A PA VA L L E Y ’ S B E LO V E D W I N E AU C T I O N ,
WineaPAWlooza Returns In-Person: Best of Class Vintners Support Animals with Luxury Lifestyle Auction Lot
W
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By Maral Papakhian
hat does an animal parade, cult
in-person, June 2022, supporting Jameson
Compared to the likes of well-known Destin
wines like Scarecrow, Harlan, and
Humane, the Bay Area’s beloved domestic
Charity Auction, Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s
Tusk, and a two-day gathering of
animal rescue and sanctuary. This extremely
Carnivale du Vin in New Orleans, and the High
the industry’s leading minds and talents all for
limited capacity, grand lifestyle event sup-
Museum Wine Auction in Atlanta, WineaPAW-
the sake of animal welfare have in common?
ported by the wine world’s elite and attended
looza raises between $1M-$2M annually to
It can only be WineaPAWlooza! Napa Valley’s
by serious collectors nationwide has become
support Jameson Humane and is ranked
favorite cult wine auction since 2014 returns
the star auction of Napa, Sonoma, and beyond.
within the top 10 wine auctions in the nation.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
“Because of WineaPAWlooza, which has raised $9M since 2014, Jameson has been able to help thousands of animals and their humans in our community and beyond through vital programs that work across the inextricable web between animal welfare, our community, and the environment.”
Crenn, alongside some of the brightest stars in Napa, like Jaime Araujo, Hugh Davies, Amanda Harlan, Alycia and Angelina Mondavi, Will Phelps and Elizabeth Neumann, Samantha Rudd, and Anthony and Suzanne Truchard; private weekends with Superbowl Champions and world-renowned athletes; your very own barrel of wine crafted by wine-
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maker superstars like, Russell Bevan; and ne would be hard-pressed to find a more appealing combination:
Monica & David Stevens
large formats of the impossible to acquire, Screaming Eagle, to name a few.
animals and wine. When gorgeous
The two-day event kicks off in June 2022
rescue animals are the stars of the show
with an exciting and thought-provoking con-
alongside unattainable cult classics from the
versation between wildly successful business
likes of Philippe Melka, Russell Bevan, Heidi
innovators in the food sector and pioneers
Barrett, Helen Keplinger, Andy Erickson, Aaron Pott, Thomas Rivers Brown, Jesse Katz, and more, it is not difficult to see why WineaPAWlooza has become the darling of premiere wine auctions. Auction lots in years past included trips to France visiting old-world bucket list estates like Leflaive, Dujac, Roumier, Bonneau du Martray, Roulot, Lafon-Rochet, Lafarge, Comte de Vogüé, and even Domaine de la Romanée-Conti; dinners by Michelin-starred chefs like Dominique CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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SPOTLIGHT: WineaPAWlooza
and leaders in sustainable technology and practices in the wine industry, all atop the revered and premiere AVA of Pritchard Hill overlooking sweeping views of the beautiful Napa Valley below. Founder, Monica Stevens, speaks to this kickoff event as crucial to Jameson’s mission, “because of WineaPAWlooza, which has raised $9M since 2014, Jameson has been able to help thousands of animals and their humans in our community and beyond through vital programs that work across the inextricable web between animal welfare, our community, and the environment. Our work and our goals are more than simply
Creamery, and wine industry leaders in sus-
rescuing animals. The kickoff Evening in Con-
tainable innovation like, Carlo Mondavi of the
versation is an essential piece of the puzzle
electric Monarch Tractor.
for Jameson. We aim to spread awareness
than just a party with delicious wines and
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plant-based foods - we want to take our mis-
famous Beckstoffer Farm Center in Napa.
sion to the next level and champion solutions
Guests revel in the opportunity to meet and
to the most critical issues facing our local and
mingle with 50 of Napa and Sonoma’s most
global communities - to inspire that not only
celebrated vintners and winemakers who
are we (the Napa and Sonoma Valleys) world-
attend the event to hand-pour their special
lass in wines and hospitality, but we are world
and reserve wines for the evening. You will
class in innovation and compassion as well.”
be hard-pressed to find many auctions that
The Evening in Conversation is a 90-minute
enlist, and in fact require, the attendance of
panel discussion with innovators in the food
the cult winemakers, vintners, and proprietors
system such as Petaluma-based Miyoko’s
to pour the likes of their largely unattainable
and education and provide real solutions to our climate crisis, including the people and animals affected. It is essential to have more
he second half of the weekend, and perhaps most anticipated, is the Grand Tasting, Animal Parade,
and Wine Auction, all taking place at the
“Jameson Humane’s evolution and the way our community responds to wildfires is still in process, which is why disaster preparation, response, and recovery programs continue to lie at the heart of Jameson’s animal welfare work.”
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CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
wines – no general winery staff permitted
animal welfare work. Six years and seven
to represent at this highly exclusive event!
disasters later, we stand committed to forging
Following the Grand Tasting, guests are trans-
a new path for the disaster preparedness,
ported to the Wine Auction via Animal Parade,
safety, and education of humans on behalf
as they delight in the wholesome and inadver-
of our beloved animals in the region,” says
tently often hilarious parade as ambassador
Stevens. In addition to the live auction lots, a
animals from Jameson Humane’s sanctuary
selection of e-lots will be available just prior to
march the guests from the Grand Tasting to
the weekend’s events for both ticket holders
the glamorous Wine Auction. The event of
and non-ticket holders to access.
the weekend is hosted by world-renowned
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Auctioneer and personality, Fritz Hatton, who is sure to get those paddles flying with his high energy callouts complete with fun cos-
ineaPAWlooza provides Jameson Humane the opportunity to tackle issues on a larger scale, not only
• A 7-day per week Helpline to assist those
tume changes throughout the evening. The
limited to disaster relief and preparedness
in need with a variety of requests.
Auction event showcases delicious locally
and local animal rescue needs for the Bay
• Senior Citizen Pet Wellness Program
sourced, plant-based food and free-flowing
Area community. “Case in point: when
maintaining activity and care for seniors’
premium wine from the vintners in attendance.
COVID-19 hit, Jameson Humane kicked
companion animals.
Of course, no party would be started off right
into high gear, providing those in 26 states
• Community Animal Assistance Program
without a glass or two of bubbles – only the
tens of thousands of pounds of food at no
(CAAP) ensuring animals and humans are
best for WineaPAWlooza guests! Wear your
cost, helping save hundreds of animals from
able to stay together through subsidized
wine country finest, enjoy a photograph with
starving or being surrendered or abandoned.
medical care, food, behavioral training,
a rescue animal on the red carpet, and bid to
This need led to the creation of an adjunct
landlord deposits, and more.
win an incredible lot to remember for a lifetime!
program: Napa Valley’s first Community Pet
• Temporary housing and animal care assis-
Tickets for WineaPAWlooza are $2,000
Pantry and Disaster Supply Program, which
tance for those fleeing domestic violence or
for the weekend’s events. This lifestyle
plays a crucial role in ensuring animal needs,
experiencing housing insecurity.
wine auction has extremely limited capacity
like food and supplies, are met year-round,
• Pet Pantry and Disaster Supply Program
and includes ~15 of the most exciting and
disaster or not,” says Stevens.
developed during the wildfires and COVID-
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19 pandemic to provide free pet food for
never-before-seen auction lots including the final Fund-A-Need lot which benefits an organization in need selected by Jameson, or a dedicated Jameson project or program. Last year’s Fund-A-Need raised $300,000 and
ecause of funds raised during
families who are unable to provide for their
WineaPAWlooza and throughout the
animal companions.
year, Jameson can provide:
• Spay/Neuter Assistance program for guardians who need monetary assistance.
was split between the Napa, Sonoma, and
• Disaster and wildfire response for the
Solano Community Animal Response Teams
Bay Area, including partnerships with law
(CARTs) and the Napa Community Emergency
enforcement, fire fighters, first responders,
Response Team’s (CERT) to ensure Fireline
the Community Animal Response Teams
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and
(CARTs), and the Community Emergency
ASAR (Animal Search and Rescue) supplies
Response Team (CERT). ☐
are available for frontline responders to help animals when they need it the most, particu-
Those seeking access to this annual
larly during the life-threatening fires that have
beloved Wine Auction, to view additional
plagued California during the past several
e-lots in advance of and during the
years. “Jameson Humane’s evolution and the
auction, for proxy bidding, or for more
way our community responds to wildfires is
information, should visit: JamesonHumane.
still in process, which is why disaster prepa-
org/2022-wineapawlooza or contact
ration, response, and recovery programs
Arwen Gallenkamp at:
continue to lie at the heart of Jameson’s
Arwen@JamesonHumane.org CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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PROFILES: Photograhper
Sara Kerens
Sara is a visual storyteller, with an eye for people, a heart for social justice, and a responsibility to document the world around her in an honest way. BY ROBIN PHILLIPS
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CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
1. Train arriving in Austria from Slovenia with refugees seeking asylum 2. Fashion Editorial for Platformme Magazine 3. Christian Siriano Bridal shoot 4. Yes Way Rosé book
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hotographer Sara Kerens was that kid in college who always had a camera around her neck. She liked to document
and find meaning in seemingly mundane life. She realized early that photographing people made them feel visible and gave them a voice.
5. Fashion editorial for Selvedge Magazine on location in the Amalfi Coast 6. Backstage for Christiain Siriano in the fall of 2020
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To this day, she loves sharing people’s stories through her photography. A native of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, she spent time throughout the state as well as England before planting roots in New York City. Her passion is capturing the human experience – and she is equally stirred by fashion, travel, commercial, and documentary work.
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As a visual storyteller, she has photographed iconic figures such as Barack Obama, Margaret Thatcher, Coco Rocha, Cardi B, Lil Wayne, Susan Sarandon, Alan Cumming, Fabien Cousteau, and Chinese civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng. Long-form projects are particularly meaningful for Sara. Collaborating with her Syrian CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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PROFILES: Photograhper
1 friend Majd, she traveled through Turkey and Europe, inspired by him and current events,
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to document and tell the stories of refugees escaping traumatic events in their homeland. Her book Displaced focused on the individuals and lives behind the unfolding tragedy. The International Center of Photography (ICP) nominated Displaced for its prestigious Infinity Award, and selected it for a month-long installation in NYC. A versatile artist, Sara partnered with Yes Way Rosé on many of its projects and the company’s first lifestyle book. She also enjoys working on local and national projects with brands like American Express and TikTok.
1. Shot during fittings for Christian Siriano 2. Backstage for Christian Siriano FW22 3. Refugees landing during a storm on the shore in Skala Sykaminias, Lesvos in Greece. 4. TOME lookbook for Vogue 5. Fashion editorial for Solstice Magazine
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For the past ten years, Sara has been one of designer Christian Siriano’s go-to photographers. After a brief but kismet meeting in a Dallas Neiman Marcus, Sara began working for Siriano and since then, she has photographed his shows and collections. Not one to shy away from a little chaos, she has captured some of the behind-the-scenes beauty that happens backstage at New York, London, and Paris Fashion Week. Her work has been featured in several top publications worldwide. No matter the subject, Sara’s work seeks to develop understanding and connection through the common humanity in all of us. ☐ @sarakerens 22
www.sarakerens.com
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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RESEARCH. EDUCATE. PROTECT AND RESTORE.
A Green Guide to
BOATING
BECOME A GREEN BOATER Scan the QR code and download CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE ‘A Green Guide to Boating’
16
APPETITE
By Fred Bollaci
“Start Spreading the News”
Palm Beach County’s Sizzling Hot Restaurant Scene Welcomes Many New York Notables
Increasingly a winter, and year-round playground for New Yorkers and the international “Who’s Who,” Palm Beach has welcomed several legendary New York restaurants. Le Bilboquet, affectionately called “Bilbo’s” debuted on Worth Avenue, bringing beautiful food to its beautiful patrons (don’t miss the Cajun Chicken Salad). La Goulue, another Upper East Side favorite, serves classic French bistro fare. Almond, a favorite in Bridgehampton and Manhattan, opened on the North End, joining Sant Ambroeus, the gorgeous café, and ristorante with sibs in New York and Milano. Swifty’s, another UES landmark, also moved south, now poolside at the stylish Colony Hotel. LoLa 41 and the chic new White Elephant Hotel bring a touch of Nantucket glamor. Longtime island favorite Trevini, relocated two blocks east on Sunset Ave to a beautiful new space, still featuring excellent Italian and Gianni’s gracious hospitality! In West Palm Beach, The Ben, part of the Autograph Collection, is THE place to stay and play! It doesn’t get more convenient or comfortable with a beautifully featured rooftop pool, two full-service restaurants, Spruzzo on the rooftop, and Proper Grit adjacent to the stunning lobby downstairs. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, steps from the Palm Beach International Boat Show site, The Ben pays homage to Old Palm Beach with a hint of Italian sophistication. Other recent additions to West Palm include RH Rooftop, a dramatic space with stylish American cuisine atop Restoration Hardware’s flagship store. Grandview Market, located not far from the Norton Museum, is a popular new food hall. If you haven’t visited the Norton in the last few years, it underwent an extensive renovation and now features a lovely restaurant. 1: Peach Melba, Le Bilboquet 2: Burger at Swifty’s at The Colony
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3
3: Bucatini Amatriciana, Santucci, 4: Prime Porterhouse Steak, Avalon, 5: Pasta with Beurre Blanc and Caviar, Sant Ambroeus
Now for a quick visit to some old and new favorites. Nothing beats drinks or bites at the Square Grouper overlooking the famed lighthouse and inlet in Jupiter. The Woods (owned by Tiger) and Guanabanas are also fun. La Masseria in Palm Beach Gardens has its roots in NYC and Rhode Island, where people know a few things about Italian food! In West Palm, we love Avocado Grille for cocktails and tapas. Zuccarelli’s has the best NY pizza and Italian (everything is made from scratch). The Regional by Lindsay Autry (Top Chef and James Beard nominee) features elevated Southern cuisine. Ristorante Santucci is a hip, Sicilian-inspired spot near Rosemary Square. In Lake Worth and Boynton Beach, the area’s best Greek is Chris’ Taverna. Real Wok serves the best dim sum in Palm Beach County. For great Detroit-style pizza, go to Pizza Panz—think Sicilian with a crunchy, cheesy edge! In Delray Beach, the Delray Market is an expansive food hall with something for everyone in a gleaming contemporary space. Avalon Steak & Seafood by NYC’s Host Restaurant Group brings beautiful, upscale steakhouse meets beach cuisine to Atlantic Avenue. Lionfish (sustainable seafood), Hawkers (Asian), and Amar (Lebanese) are all new
For more information about Fred Bollaci Enterprises, visit: www.fredbollacienterprises.com 24
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
5
additions worth checking out, which join a long list of favorites including Tramonti, Dada, Cut 432, and Caffé Luna Rosa. For your New York Deli fix, visit 3G’s in Delray and Ben’s Kosher Deli in Boca. In Boca Raton, seafood lovers will kvell over Copperfish (from Maryland) and Luff’s Fish House. Francophiles will adore La Nouvelle Maison (contemporary French), Kathy’s Gazebo Café (Old World French Continental), and Côte France (best pastries). Tucci’s is my favorite coal fired pizza! A Farmer’s Table can’t be beat for the area’s best farm-to-table restaurant (Boca and North Palm), and Fries to Caviar gives everyone something to toast to! “The Boca Raton” (FKA Boca Raton Resort & Club) is undergoing a massive makeover, and is bringing in an exciting array of new restaurant concepts by NYC’s Major Food Group (Carbone, Parm) which will be available exclusively to resort guests and members (Flamingo Grill and Sadelle’s among the first to debut). Gallagher’s, another NYC landmark is set to open in Boca in 2022! These exciting developments should put to rest any doubt South Florida is indeed “The Sixth Borough” of New York. Start spreading the news and bon appetit! ☐
VENÜ VINES: AFWC
Best Wines of the Americas The Results are in for the AFWC’s All Americas Competition BY FRED BOLLACI
Best of Show Sparkling: N/V Breathless, Late Disgorged Brut, Russian River ($59) White: 2019 Bee Hunter Semillon, Anderson Valley ($42) Red: 2019 Silver Spur, Aglianico, Comanche County, TX ($59) Dessert: 2019 Ferrante Vidal Blanc, Ice Wine, Grand River Valley, Ohio ($30)
The event took place at FIU Chaplin School of
Best of Class
Hospitality & Tourism Management in Miami on January 15th, 2022. Over 250 wines were
Cabernet Franc: 2016 The Winery SF, North Coast ($40)
evaluated and judged by five, four-member panels of industry professionals including
Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Ehret Family, Hillside Reserve, Knights Valley ($115)
educators, distributors, retailers, journalists, restaurateurs, and sommeliers. Star judges
Chardonnay: 2019 Bee Hunter, Anderson Valley ($60)
including writer Peg San Filippo, sommelier Jenn Schmitt, educator and reviewer Ray Sholes, restaurateur Angelo Romano, writer
Dessert: 2019 Ferrante Vidal Blanc, Ice Wine, Grand River Valley, OH ($30)
Sunny Fraser, sommelier Ervin Machado,
Fruit Wines: Barefoot Fruitscato Mango ($7)
and Sara and Monty Preiser, publishers of “The Preiser Key ” and vintners (Shadowbox
Ervin D Machado, Shari Gherman, Daniel Gonzalez
Cellars in Napa). All spend hundreds of hours each year evaluating wines. According to
front of the wine-loving public. Currently the
Shari Gherman, certified sommelier and
AFWC runs three contests: All Americas (these
president of the AFWC “Panels of inde-
are the results of it) The Invitational, and THE
pendent judges who taste wine, as these
Rosé Competition. Since inception, the AFWC
people do, are able to arrive at non-biased
has donated more than $1.1 million to multiple
conclusions that benefit the consumer and
charities. Venü Magazine has been a proud
the entire industry,” citing the Texas winner
media partner of the AFWC since 2015. Along
as an example. “Silver Spur is a small winery
with Shari Gherman, we cordially invite you
in a state not known for top wines, but it won
to attend AFWC’s many charitable food and
Best of Class for ‘Other Single Red
wine events that take place throughout the
Varietal’ AND Best of Show Red.
year from Palm Beach to Miami-
You can bet that it would not have
Dade Counties. Attendees have
won either but for blind tasting.”
the opportunity to enjoy hundreds
The results yielded a number of
of excellent wines that were part
exciting and a° ordable options.
of the competitions. It’s a fantastic
Judge Monty Preiser said “Each
way to expand your wine knowl-
of these winners is special, and
edge and palate, as well as
fairly priced. The consumer
network and meet other wine
should run to find them.” The
lovers in South Florida. Cheers
full results are on the AFWC
to your good health!
website: americanfinewinecom-
For more information about the
petition.org
American Fine Wine Competi-
The AFWC began in 2007,
tion, upcoming events, and full
determined to find small, inde-
competition results, please
pendent wineries, find the best
visit:
they produce, and help get their name in
www.AmericanFineWineCompetition.org
Merlot: 2018 Ehret Family, Bavarian Lion Vineyard, Knights Valley ($55) Other White Single Varietal: 2019 Bee Hunter Semillon, Anderson Valley ($42) Other Red Single Varietal: 2019 Silver Spur, Aglianico, Comanche County, TX ($59) Petite Sirah: 2019 Bricoleur, Kick Ranch, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma ($55) Pinot Noir: 2019 Papapietro Perry, Pommard Clones, Russian River Valley, Runner up Best of Show ($80) Red Blend: 2019 Zina Hyde Cunningham, Redwood Valley, Zin & Petite Sirah ($48) Red Bordeaux Style Blend: 2016 The Winery SF, BDX, North Coast ($50) Riesling: 2020 Winery at Black Star Farms, Arcturos, Dry Riesling, MI ($17) Sake: Yomi, Junmai Ginjo- The Afterlife, NV, Oregon ($18) Sauvignon Blanc: 2020 Okapi, Napa Valley ($30) Sparkling: N/V Breathless, Late Disgorged Brut, Russian River ($59) Syrah: 2018 VIE, Canihan Vineyards, Sonoma ($45) White Blend: 2018 ONX Estate, Field Day, Paso Robles, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, & Grenache Blanc ($20) Zinfandel: 2020 Ehret Family, Knights Valley, Sonoma ($60) CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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VENÜ VINES: Michel
Rolland
The “Traditions in Wine Excellence Award” Dinner
HONORING
Photos by Michael J. Fiedler
Michel Rolland By Diana DeLucia
Michel Rolland and Fernando Silva
I 26
n the Fall of 2021, members and guests
were treated to a charcuterie and French
Liu, guest sommelier, presented Wines and
from the renowned GlenArbor Golf
Cheese Board followed by passed Hors
Champagne including Gosset, Champagne
Club in Bedford Hills, New York, arrived
d’ouevres including Foie gras and Duck
Brut, Grande Reserve, NV France; Yacochuya,
at an exquisitely decorated dining
Toast, Duxelles Chevre Stuffed Goug-
Torrontes, Salta, Argentina 2020; Mariflor,
room and patio that overlooks the 18th
ers’, Baby Lamb Chops, Tuna Tartare
Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina 2017; Chateau
green in fall splendor on the valley below
Spoons, and Brandade Croquettes with
Malescot, St Exupéry, Margaux, Bordeaux,
the expansive Mark Finley designed,
Saffron Garlic Aioli prepared by Michael
France 2016; and Château Fontenil, Fronsac,
30,000 square foot clubhouse. Guests
Ruggiero, Executive Chef, and his team. Wei
Bordeaux, France 2015.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
“The Michel Rolland and GlenArbor Golf Club Dinner collaboration was bliss for the senses and intellect. Bravo to the GlenArbor team for the exceptionally smooth execution of this highly anticipated dinner. Presently, due to travel restrictions, having a non-U.S.-based Winemaker at dinner is extremely rare. However, having a legendary Winemaker such as Michel Rolland at dinner is an entirely next-level honor. As a long-time wine lover and member of the Wine and Spirit business, sitting, sipping, and speaking to Monsieur Rolland has been such a career highlight.” –Wei-Liu The agenda of the evening was to celebrate the fourth “Traditions in Wine Excellence Award’ honoree, Mr. Michel Rolland. Silva kicks off the schedule with a heartfelt speech honoring Mr. Rolland. “The Traditions in Wine Excellence Award has reached a new height, with the exclusive and unique presentation to the most prestigious consultant winemaker in the world, Mr. Michel Rolland, at GlenArbor Golf Club on October 15th. I appreciate the continuous support and entrepreneurial vision of the Gregory’s and the staff of GlenArbor Golf Club.
“To be honored is always a great pleasure. Life is lovely when we are in a beautiful place like GlenArbor Golf Club, with charming people, wine lovers, and a chef creating exquisite cuisine. Thank you, Fernando, for presenting our tasting of beautiful wines. Congratulations GlenArbor!”
Wei Lui and Jessica Perez
Since its creation, The Traditions in Wine Excellence Award at GlenArbor has brought a new and refreshing concept to the wine tastings events, with creativity, vibrancy, and exclusive special guests from around the world!” –Fernando Silva. The French dinner began with a classical bread service followed by the first course which was a Poached Sea Bass with Dill Tomato Broth, Potato Fennel and Rouille, paired with Mariflor, Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019; the second a Short Rib Bourguignon with Fall Vegetables and Braising Liquid Reduction paired with MR, Michel Rolland, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California 2016. After the second course, Rolland, who was uncharacteristically vocal, shared his life’s stories from his beloved industry which spans CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
27
VENÜ VINES: Michel
Rolland
Fernando Silva, Wei Liu, Michel Rolland
Virginie Rolland, Diana DeLucia and Agnieszka (Agnes) Florek
over 40 years.
28
Matthew Sturtevant and Tracey Thomas
Congratulations GlenArbor!” –Michel Rolland.
“To be honored is always a great plea-
Attending this event was one of the few
sure. Life is lovely when we are in a beautiful
times I was present as a guest and specta-
Director seamlessly worked with his team to ensure that communication between the dining floor and the kitchen is seamless.
place like GlenArbor Golf Club, with charm-
tor, and I witnessed Silva at his finest as he
At that moment, the details that accom-
ing people, wine lovers, and a chef creat-
addressed the room with artistic flair and
pany the planning of this and other events
ing exquisite cuisine. Thank you, Fernando,
historical tales of each wine’s journey to
occurred to me. There is more to the evening
for presenting our tasting of beautiful wines.
the table. Charl Marais, Food and Beverage
than the Food and Beverage team. A promi-
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
nent fixture of the evening’s success lies with Jessica Perez, Director of Concierge and Assistant Director of Events. “It has been an honor to be a member of the GlenArbor team since 2015 and see our Traditions in Wine Excellence Award Dinner grow for the last four years. Fernando Silva, GlenArbor’s Wine Director, and Sommelier, never fails to raise the bar for our membership and elevate our wine program. Thanks to his efforts, some of the world’s top wine connoisseurs have graced us with their presence. I am proud to say I have had the privilege to meet people such as Laurent Drouhin, Jean-Charles Boisset, and the recipient of the 2021 Award Michel Rolland. For everyone who attended and serviced this unforgettable evening, I am sure you will forever cherish it as I will. My contribution to such events is to plan and help execute to the standard our members are accustomed to and
As the conversations and bonds grew
manage their reservation and seating needs.
during the evening, Marisa Hernandez,
truffles followed.
Creating eye-catching yet simple touches in
Executive Pastry Chef, served Classic Prof-
décor and printed materials is what I am all
iterole, Praline Crème, Salted Caramel,
about! Together the entire Food & Beverage
Plum Compote paired with Château Lafau-
Past Honorees:
and Culinary Team make each time a success.
rie, Peyraguey, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
2018 - Laurent Drouhin, Maison Joseph
Specials Guest Wei Liu is always a pleasure to
1997 followed by a much appreciated speech
Drouhin
be around and is full of knowledge and sophis-
by Ruggiero and a standing ovation for
2019 - Jean-Charles Boisset, JC Collection
tication.” –Jessica Perez
his culinary team. Coffee and house-made
2020 - Sir Nick Faldo.
Many thanks to all that attended this event. ☐
Fernando Silva and Michel Rolland
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
29
REAL ESTATE: NFT
30
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Let’s Get
Phygital Imagine you are thinking about a home purchase in 1996. Simultaneously, you’ve been hearing about this new thing called the Internet and the World Wide Web.
Y
ou don’t pay much attention to the constant drip of stories, but eventually you realize it isn’t going away and you should understand what the Internet is and how it’s relevant to your world.
Fast forward 26 years and we are on the cusp of another revolution. You’ve been hearing about cryptocurrency, bitcoin, NFTs, crypto mining, and
even virtual real estate. What is all this stu˜ and how will it change your life? Rich Hopen, of COMPASS, expressed these thoughts directly with the COMPASS community and in his Crypto News for Realtors newsletter. COMPASS principal agent, Susan Vanech, shared with Rich that she was the first real estate agent to list a home in Connecticut for cryptocurrency in 2017 and is now the only agent in Connecticut to list a home with an NFT attached. Rich reached out to Susan as he leads the COMPASS crypto and real estate group that explores, educates and informs agents about the crypto world. Rich was curious why Susan chose to have digital art created as an NFT and included in the sale of a physical property. “I was inspired by the conversations
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
31
REAL ESTATE: NFT
see a resurgence of interest and requests to tour the home, but ultimately, the buyer will purchase the home using US Dollars with the NFT ownership transferred as well. This will be Connecticut’s first Phygital real estate transaction! To learn more about creative marketing solutions or to share your NFT and real estate happening at Art Basel in Miami among art-
stories please contact Susan Vanech, she
ists, tech geeks, family o˛ ces and even the
continues to be curious!
cannabis world. There was such a variety of audiences and participants that it felt impossi-
Susan Vanech, Real Estate Strategist
ble to ignore the potential crossover of NFT’s
Team SVP
into real estate,” Susan shared. “Days later
203-685-2348
I sat with my 17-year-old son and asked him
SVP@compass.com
to teach me everything he knew about NFT’s and how he could imagine integration into what I do in real estate as an investor as well as a strategist for sellers and buyers in unique markets.”
Susan was most fascinated by the concept of the Phygital world. At the art show, she saw the digital art of a jacket created in memory of Kobe Bryant. Steps away, the physical jacket was displayed on a mannequin. Susan’s first thought was to bring some digital art as NFT’s into homes as staging but she knew there was more that could be exciting to explore. After collaborating with her son, they engaged a digital artist to create a piece of art that is essentially a 3D digital rendition of the home, had it “minted” and listed it for purchase using Ethereum. Rich is curious to know if the home will draw a new audience based on this unique exposure. Susan shares the home did in fact
32
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Photo by Brian Spurr @bespurr
s t e el p o i n t e b o a t s h o w s . c o m | @ s t e el p o i n t e b o a t s h o w s CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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DESIGNER: Brenda
Houston
Dallas Design Scene Q&A WITH DESIGNER BRENDA HOUSTON
34
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
By Megan Reilly
B
renda Houston has long been captivated by the allure of gemstones, crystals and min-
never seen before. Dallas is finally coming
erals. She gives these exquisite materials pride of place in her opulent tables, lighting,
into its’ own, and we are able to keep and
decorative accessories and wallcoverings. What makes Brenda’s work so unique is the
encourage great designers to stay in Big D!
nature of these one-of-a-kind materials, and the way she crafts them into her couture furnishings,
Dallas has always had a strong art movement
creating ‘jewelry for the home’. She has steadily been growing a loyal following, counting A-list
and that is finally crossing over into design
interiors firms, celebrities, royal family members and luxury hoteliers among her clients.
where people are beginning to appreciate
Brenda launched her namesake design studio
investing in their interiors. And whereas L.A.
in Dallas in 2008. And although she has lived in
and N.Y. rely heavily on their Design Centers,
L.A., New York, and Italy and traveled all over the
Dallas has small communities of designers
world sourcing materials for her collections, she
and artists scattered throughout the city,
keeps coming back to Dallas for good reason.
making it really fun to get out and explore.
I recently sat down with Brenda to chat about how the city has taken off in recent years and its
MR: Your favorite insider Dallas destination?
burgeoning design scene.
BH: The Tins neighborhood in Dallas across the Sylvan bridge is a secret underworld of
Megan Reilly: What makes Dallas special and the spot you keep coming back to? Brenda Houston: I launched my company in Dallas because it made sense economically at the time. I was living in New York when I started the company, and I could never have taken a year off to develop designs, So the cost of living here in Texas afforded me the time I needed. And strategically, because it is right in the middle of the US, I can hop on a plane anytime to get to the west and east coasts so I never feel I am missing out. MR: We keep hearing how Dallas is booming, and people are flocking to Texas from elsewhere. How do you see this affecting the city first-hand? BH: I have always thought of Dallas as a town that thinks it is a big city but acts like a small town: now that is all about a change! Dallas is growing dramatically and is on track to be the third-largest metropolis in the US. We have an enormous amount of Angelinos and New Yorkers moving here and you can see their influence in new home designs, landscaping, and interior design. Still, you can get a lot done with just a handshake and that speaks to the heart of Texans. MR: Tell us about the Dallas design scene? How is it different from the design communities you’ve been a part of elsewhere? BH: The influx of new artists and designers arriving here from other parts of the US is creating an incredible dynamic and influence that I have
You can find Brenda Houston Designs showroom in the Dallas Design District at 1216 Manufacturing street, Dallas 75207 (by appointment). She also is represented by Profiles - New York, Maison Gerard - New York, Issarch - Dubai, CEDesign - New York, LA Design Concepts - Los Angeles Discover her collections at: www.brendahouston.com New for 2022 is Brenda’s latest website, offering her designs to the public for the first time at www.Wallcovetings.com
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
35
DESIGNER: Brenda
Houston
left: Kips Bay Living, detail from opening spread above: Mica Sheets: GILD, PEARL & SAGE top right: Capri Lamp below: Accento Ruso Ammonita tabletop
MR: Your favorite way to spend a weekend day in Dallas? BH: I would start off with breakfast in Bishop Arts followed by a bike ride along the Trinity. Then I’d walk through the Nasher Museum or the DMA, before heading to Tei-An for dinner and drinks at The Joule. MR: Best thing about Dallas? BH: All the new growth! To see a city, grow so rapidly and quickly is exhilarating and I love being a part of it! Our downtown skyline finally competes with the best of the best bigger cities!
fabulous artists that now call Dallas their home. Developed by Butch McGregor, this neighborhood contains the studios of Dan Lam, James Rizzi, Michael Reeder and many others. One would never know what hides behind these graffiti-covered warehouses, but boy is it worth it! MR: Any other spots design aficionados should add to their lists? BH: Knox Henderson is becoming a great neighborhood for design retailers such as Restoration Hardware, Serena and Lily and Grange
MR: Worst thing about Dallas? BH: The weather. If you don’t like 30 degree mornings, just wait, it will be 80 degrees by the afternoon! The weather is never dull here, but does make it hard to organize your closet! Thanks for these insider tips Brenda. We can’t wait to visit! ☐
Hall, but I still favor the Dallas Design District (DDD) for true, distinctive offerings like those found at Garde. The DDD offers a number of small showrooms from local artists and that is where you can truly find the one-of-a-kind and custom pieces that make a statement. Our new showroom is located in the DDD. MR: Top places to eat, socialize, hang? BH: Network Bar - to socialize, Ten Ramen - to eat, Midnight Rambler - to hang, Tei-An - to eat, Eataly at North Park Mall – to eat, drink, shop and socialize! 36
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
MEGAN REILLY covers the interior design and home furnishings industries, and is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of WestEdge Design Fair, a tradeshow and lifestyle event taking place in Los Angeles and Dallas. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, two great destinations for all things design-related.
for the
of design
COMING TO DALLAS
SEPT. 16-18, 2022
DALLAS MARKET HALL, DESIGN DISTRICT
EXPLORE THOUSANDS OF THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND DESIGN IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME VISIT WESTEDGEDESIGNFAIR.COM FOR TICKETS AND DETAILS CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
37
DESIGN: Mandala
Lab
Photo by Liz Ligon
38
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
A universal
connection Mandala Lab: An interactive space where emotions can turn to wisdom BY KAMI SLOAN
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
39
DESIGN: Mandala
Lab
esigned by Brooklyn-based architecture and design firm
enlightenment within one lifetime through
Peterson Rich Office, the architectural and conceptual
philosophical practice. “We took our cue
vision of the Mandala Lab took its inspiration from the
from the premise that to have a deeply under-
Tibetan Buddhist Mandala, the Sarvavid Vairochana Man-
stood physical journey; it must be felt to be
dala. Buddhist practitioners use mandalas as visualization
effectively witnessed, voices Tim.” The role
tools to help achieve enlightenment.
of cognitive neuroscience plays an integral
Divided into four quadrants pointing to the cardinal
part in the four different psychological exper-
directions with a central circular chamber – the nucleus
iments. “We took the approach from Dr. Lila
of the Mandala represents the Rubin Museum’s spiral
Davachi, Professor of Psychology at Davachi
staircase. Each quadrant features an activity informed by
Memory Lab- Columbia University, that any
the Mandala’s insightful teachings about a particular emotion, and its corresponding wisdom
interaction however small it may seem ampli-
envisioned as a sensorial experience, “The Mandala Lab is an orientation exercise because it
fies the ability for us to register memory more
uses the circumference of space and the four cardinal directions as a compass for self-inves-
strongly than passive knowledge. Even by
tigation and orientation of your energy management within the universe,” says Tim McHenry,
reaching and touching a screen makes a stu-
Deputy Director at the Rubin Museum.
dent or practitioner register the relationship
The architecture was the impetus for the entry and exploration of The Mandala Lab with the transformative ability to create a healing space of empathy and connection, as well as it allows for open views, interactive dialogues, and perspectives. As Tim mentions, “Both Nathan Rich and Miriam Peterson had a supreme understanding that light could not only be used to illuminate but can be seen as a larger metaphor for healing and understanding. We wanted our family visitors to engage with the art itself in a meaningful and visceral way- both school and family programs around the elliptical staircase on one floor in the gallery tower.” “The majority of the Rubin Museum galleries are designed for the display of artworks and objects,” say design principals Nathan Rich and Miriam Peterson. “This new space is designed for collective experience. The floor is deliberately more open and connected than the other five levels of the Museum. Individual spaces are separated from one another by a translucent scrim, allowing for interactive experiences that are physically distinct but visually interconnected.” “At its core, The Mandala lab invites you into a communal sensorial experience where you get to explore different afflictive emotional states through sight, touch, smell, and hearing in each of the four cardinal directions, South, West, North, and East – through recalibrating your awareness that you are not only alone in this world, but there are others, and those others are you,” says Tim. You get to interpret and process your thoughts and emotions. “Reactions to these experiences underscore or amplify the subsequent visitor’s experience; that’s kind of a Rubin Museum thing; it’s what we do for a living. To engage the visitor, it’s like tilling a garden and making it more and more fecund with contributions of people who come through.” True to the particulars, tantra is about reaching a form of understanding and 40
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Photo by Rafael Gamo
15% more than if they just sat there.” Photo by Rafael Gamo
Photo by Rafael Gamo
by the COVID-19 pandemic. “In Buddhism, the five kleshas are the key distresses that are the source of our suffering. “Tantric Buddhist practitioners use mandalas as visualization aids to help transform these emotions,” says
“The Mandala Lab is an orientation exercise because it uses the circumference of space and the four cardinal directions as a compass for self-investigation and orientation of your energy management within the universe.” Patrons can engage with a scent and memory library with contributions from six artists and
Tenzin Gelek, Senior Specialist, Himalayan Arts, and Culture. “With the Mandala Lab, we’re using Buddhist pearls of wisdom coupled with creative and interactive artworks and experiences to understand, unlock, and heal these difficult emotions within ourselves. This ‘mental gym’ invites us to face life with renewed wisdom and insights.” SOUTH QUADRANT
Journey Portal
FROM PRIDE TO EQUANIMITY
master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel; participate in a synchronized breathing activity with the
At the start of the journey, guests are invited
aid of a newly commissioned pulsing light sculpture by New York-based artist Palden Weinreb;
to recognize a “prideful” state of mind and
take part in a gong orchestra with eight gongs suspended over water curated by international
get to see what others have acknowledged.
musicians; and more. As you get further into the space, your journey examines feelings of
This first activity is designed to impact peo-
pride, attachment, envy, anger, and ignorance - known as “kleshas” in Buddhism that cloud our
ple’s perceptions, first of themselves and
understanding of the world around us.
humankind, a first step toward the wisdom
The Mandala Lab aims to offer tools for coping mechanisms for the day-to-day challenges, and emotional burdens brought about by personal and societal complexities—all heightened
of equanimity, which is an abandonment of judgment. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
41
FEATURE
Photo by Liz Ligon
“In Buddhism, the five kleshas are the key distresses that are the source of our suffering. Tantric Buddhist practitioners use mandalas as visualization aids to help transform these emotions.”
Laurie Anderson, Sanford Biggers, Tenzin Tsetan Choklay, Amit Dutta, Wang YaHui, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The west quadrant serves as a flexible space for learning with family and K–12 school programs. In partnership with Emory University, the Rubin is developing a social, emotional, and ethical learning curriculum to help children and youth self-regulate and manage stress during a critical period in their lives, giving them the
WEST QUADRANT
Scent Library
FROM ATTACHMENT TO DISCERNMENT In this quadrant, you encounter a curved counter custom-made by PRO with six stations, each with a scent selected by an artist and created by master perfumer Christophe. You get to contribute an emotional response to each scent, then view a two-minute video created by the artist about
42
tools to navigate change and their emotions with confidence and clarity. NORTH QUADRANT
Breathing Alcove
FROM ENVY TO WISDOM OF ACCOM-
their memory attached to this scent. By watching these videos and reading previous visitors’
PLISHMENT
memories associated with the same smell, you’ll perceive how diverse—and sometimes radically
Visitors will find a serene space for engaging
different—our reactions can be to the same stimulus. Feelings of association and attachment
in the most fundamental activity of human
to the memory and scent may start to shift to a more empathetic awareness of others’ expe-
life— breathing. They will encounter a com-
riences, touching on the wisdom of discernment. Scent library participating artists include
missioned, site-specific sculpture by New
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
York–based contemporary artist Palden
Photo by Liz Ligon
Weinreb that pulses with light, emulating the regulating pace of mindfulness practices worldwide. Visitors will engage in a collective, synchronized breathing activity, fostering a sense of community and engagement rather than separateness. Instead of coveting or competing with the achievements of others, individuals are motivated to move toward an appreciation of others, known here as the wisdom of accomplishment. The north quadrant is round with retractable mesh walls, allowing participants seated around the perimeter to be visually aware of one another during the breathing practice. Indirect lighting and acoustic dampening walls will enhance a sense of focus and calm. EAST QUADRANT
Gong Orchestra
FROM ANGER TO MIRROR-LIKE WISDOM Habitués will find eight gongs of different shapes, sizes, materials, and pitches—designed by eight international musicians and sourced from around the world —suspended over a long basin of water in the center of the gallery. When striking on a gong and lowering into water, you feel the vibrational energy of its sound warp until it dissipates. When we get angry, there’s a pent-up energy, an unrelentless oppression that overtakes us. This exploration metaphorically challenges us to keep the gong in water until the surface is calm and the reflection of ourselves is visible. Not only is this a practice of patience and clarity, but a mirror-like wisdom that eases your mind into a hypnotic state of stillness which brings you back to center. Participating musicians include Billy Cobham, Sheila E., Peter Gabriel, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Sarah Hennies, Huang Ruo, Shivamani, and Bora Yoon. EXITING THE MANDALA LAB FROM IGNORANCE TO ALL-ACCOMMODATING WISDOM Tim expounds, “Beyond an exposition of Himalayan art and its ideologies, the posture of the Mandala Lab is being more aware of your own sensibilities and emotional state of mind, “a reality check “- creating a little bit of distance between what you may feel about an event and the event itself.” Not only will you be able to reflect upon how you confront your emotions, but it lends itself to giving you an interpersonal self-discovery, “a snapshot” of your reactionary responses with the instrumental tools to navigate you through times of stress and discomfort. Serving as one of the city’s first cultural healing spaces in the aftermath of 2020, education and experiential learning is broadly shared and witnessed as a foundation to their curriculum, helping children and their families during unruly and turbulent times. Photo by Liz Ligon
Whatever you walk away with, it will leave a lasting memory of wholeness and oneness. RubinMuseum.org | pro-arch.com CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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CODE RED
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Artist: Stephanie Dillon Photography: Jeff Remas Model: Chelsea Wichmann Creative Direction: Kami Sloan
FASHION: Philanthropy
Sustainable Living is the
New Fashion We Don’t have time, Code Red for Humanity
T
he VIP Sustainable Goals Banquet
“It’s a fashionable lifestyle choice which
goal of the campaign,” sheds light Evangelou.
that took place at the Pierre hotel
was developed to communicate and excite
Citizen-T, founded by artist Stephanie
in cooperation with the United
people about the benefits and possibilities
Dillon made hand-painted jackets and
Nations Mission of Italy in October
of sustainability. It is the way forward to a
recycled tees in collaboration with designer
‘2021 hosted by Evie Evangelou, President
healthier you and a healthier world beginning
label, Burnett New York, inspired by the UN’S
and Founder at Fashion 4 Development
with the lifestyle basics: Food and Fashion.
urgent commentary, “Code Red for Human-
(F4D), sparked the global campaign “Sus-
Through your daily choices of what you eat
ity to support the call in a race against the
tainable Living is the New Fashion” with its
and what you wear, you not only impact
clock to create a “net-zero” environment
focus on an end-to-end solution in building
your life but others on the planet. Inspiring
that reduces, reuses, and recovers excessive
a circular economy and partnering with the
and motivating individuals to be Conscious
streams of global consumption that converts
world’s most significant social network on
Consumers, to develop Conscious Brands and
to valuable material resources.
climate action, We Don’t Have Time (WDHT).
to adopt Conscious Business Practices is the
Dillon Says, “Seventy-three percent of
Ralph & Russo Graced the Runway in 2016
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FASHION: Philanthropy
clothing that’s bought is sent to landfills,
business operations with the investment for
whereas 95 percent of it could be used or
a resilient and regenerative future. It’s the first
recycled. Isn’t that staggering to you? Do you
non-for-profit to unlock commitments scaling
know how much we throw away? We have
transformative actions towards the SDGs and
enough T-shirts for seven generations, and
link the Paris agreement to execute measures
people should stop manufacturing them and
toward systemic change.
use what we have. Artists could champion this
Jeanine Ballone, F4D’s Managing Director
cause; ethical abiding citizens could buy into
of Solutions and Lead at The World Collective,
it, and we could save the planet one t-shirt at
asseverates. “We need to ‘move the needle’
a time.” “It was all business the day I met Evie.
to create an ‘economy of collectives.”
I’m happy to collaborate and foster her vision.”
Renowned for its annual First Ladies Lun-
Setting the bar, Evangelou created The
cheon on the opening day of UNGA since 2011,
World Collective – A global consumer goods
Fashion 4 Development (F4D) has celebrated
industry platform that’s geared to provide a
and honored over 40 game changers on the
database of scalable innovations across the
global stage over the years in their efforts to
supply chain, along with educational support programs that help implement successful 46
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First Lady of Malta, Michelle Muscat, Donna Karan, Evie Evangelou, First Lady of Iceland Dorrit Moussaieff
advance, educate, develop, and fuel crucial programs for underserved communities
around the world while highlighting leading and upcoming fashion designers. Leaders from philanthropy, fashion, entertainment, politics, and diplomacy, as well as private sector CEO’s that were honored in the past, have included: Madam Ban Soon-Taek, President Macron, Paul Polman, Natalia Vodianova, Diane Von Furstenberg, Victoria Beckham, Nobel Prize recipient Mohammad Yunus, HRH Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway, Charlize Theron, Franca Sozzani, Livia Firth, Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi, Arianna Huffington, Annie Lennox, Nadja Swarovski, Tina Brown, Naomi Campbell, IMAN, Donna Karan, Caroline Scheufele, to name a few. At the helm, Evie sets the standard to preserving culture, empowering women, and advancing social development and economic growth of communities worldwide with compassion and empathy. This is the real work of a humanitarian. ☐ For more information or inquiries on
Victoria Beckham at F4D’s First Ladies Luncheon 2015 on opening Day of the High Levels Meetings of UNGA
how you can make a difference, go to: www.fashion4development.com www.wedonthavetime.org
Evie Evangelou & Ellie Goulding
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we buy... 48
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Zero SAVE BY
Sustainably yours,
Stephanie Dillon PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF REMAS
D
LIES Mixed media, projection photography
Dillon’s artistry takes an uncharted route
“Heroes,” DAVID BOWIE, “Stand or Fall,” THE FIXX,
in the juxtaposition of her commentary,
“Get the Balance,” DEPECHE MODE, “Please Read
depicting the degradation of social unrest
the Letter,” ALISON KRAUSS and ROBERT PLANT,
and environmental inhumanities. Between the
and “Strawberry Letter 23” by THE BROTHERS
brushstrokes of her canvas and penned disciplines,
JOHNSON to name a few.
a contemplative ambiguity engages the viewer with
At the root, Dillion’s passion project is Citizen-T,
a spatial simultaneity. The complexion of her work
an apparel company she founded in ‘2020 which
is palatable, both tender and depraved, averse, qui-
involves sourcing clothing and discarded items
etly vehement - deliciously riveting with exemplified
from landfills and then recycling them. Stephanie
messages of disillusionment through a vulnerable
collaborates with other artists and the charitable
and observational lens. We get a bird’s eye view
organization: FASHION 4 DEVELOPMENT in her
into the cavernous depths of Stephanie’s existen-
tireless pursuit to save the planet.
tial expressionism and activism arising at her own
“As an artist, one way to be remembered is to
policies of truth. Dillon implies, “I do not view myself
become hyper-cognizant of what you’re leaving
as a healer; art gives me the vehicle to heal from
behind in terms of your words, in terms of your
my experiences, desperate to be seen and heard.”
material things. So, art is one of those things that
Music is an extension of her paintings. When
when I’m not here, my paintings still will be, as well
asked about what artist or song she’s drawn to
as my writing. “It’s all or nothing; half-heartedness
when painting, she mentions “Eminence Front,”
and in-betweens will not suffice, not when we’re out
THE WHO, “Slippery People,” TALKING HEADS,
of time.” — Stephanie Dillon
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CHANEL CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Left: SWIRLS & SPATTER This page: LOVE CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Creative Direction: Kami Sloan Models: Chelsea Wichmann , AJ Knapp MUAH + body paint: Nikki Copeland Lead Digital Artist: Daniel Enrique De Leon Silhouette Photography: John Ciambrone Graphic Design: Tim Ravenna Lighting Assistant: Ken Carlson Art collaborators: Jon Linton, & Linnea Maas stephaniedillonart.com citizen-t.com CEMETERY CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Photography by Juan Carlos Ariano Presenting models Dunja & Nataniele
Sculpture by Morgan Robinson Paintings by Frank Arnold 56
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la mode de l’art vivant Unlock the Equity of Your Luxury Assets at Shutter Speed
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Painting by Melanie Giguere Sculpture on the left by Santiago Medina 58
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FEATURE
The rare beauty of high art contributes to its tangible intrinsic value. As alternative asset classes generally hold or appreciate in value, it should come as no surprise Paintings by Frank Arnold
using them as loan collateral is an effective financing strategy. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
59
Painting FEATURE by Bruce Rubenstein
“One of the best advantages to owning artwork is how strong returns have been across periods of time compared to other traditional assets.” Mary Ann Cohen Owner, Mac Art Galleries
Traditional sources of capital can often be too slow, invasive, or burdensome to address a situation or meet an opportunity. 60
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FEATURE
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Ferrari Portofino M ferrarifl.com 62
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Luxury assets can yield impressive returns. Yet, unlocking their equity through private sale or auction takes significant time and effort and may have unexpected tax implications. Borro makes it easy to capitalize on the true value of luxury assets without the wait, and, more importantly, without the need to sell. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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FEATURE
(Acrylic sculpture Michael Enn Sirvet 64
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FEATURE
Alembika.com beatriceb.com dicekayek.com jnby.com maliparmi.com karinagrimaldi.com inearnestofficial.com papucei.ro redvalentino.com rolex.com studiorundholz.de unitednude.com Representation: Model Dunja M.//@ Select Model Miami Model Nataniele R.//@ Next Models Miami MUAH: Natalia Fernandez Photo Assistant: Edward Perdomo Production Assistant: Chelsea Wichmann Creative Direction: Kami Sloan Graphic Design: Daniel Enrique De Leon
Location: MAC FINE ART Delray Beach Special Thanks to Owner: Mary Ann Cohen macfineart.com
The leader in confidential, non-bank loans that use borrowers’ luxury assets as collateral. BORRO.com CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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FEATURE
Jesus Rojas: a retrospective
Art NUSTAS
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MUJER PANTERA
“Academics don’t necessarily define the outcome of an artist. Education is one thing, and art is another. What an artist can say or doesn’t say has nothing to do with the erudition of information. Art is about subjectivity.” – JESUS ROJAS
of
color TWINS
and
DYPTICH
light BY KAMI SLOAN
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FEATURE
esus Rojas defines the most authentic aspect of what an “artist” represents in its most simplistic terms. Since his inception onto the art scene, he has never strayed away from his creative cultural origins. The composition of his canvas is a testament to the vicissitudes of his graphical elements and orchestration of color. Rojas mentions, “My visual language is very particular. I just found a language in which I can muster into my own.” Jesus has an insouciance for the poetic vernacular and the romanticized notions of art. He goes on to say, “I’m very straightforward. I like to work from the color provided by the tube and mix it. People don’t realize how hard it is to create certain colors I produced. They look very pure. I don’t like to muddy colors. It took many years to develop this process.”
Top Right: SPIRIT OF LIFE
We are simply drawn to the physicality of his work and the conceptual re-occurring themes that his paintings embody –
Below:
Mandala in Buddhism as a symbol of unity
MATERNITY
and consciousness, the coexistence between animals and man as a metaphor for oneness on this earth - and the concept of creation in the dualities of femininity and masculinity with an infinite exchange of how we view the world. “The marination of these concepts come; naturally, I look for simplicity as an essential prerequisite of artistic expression,” says Jesus. The main draw of his oeuvre is the element of surprise, the brilliance of bright colors, and sensual forms that create the entire whimsical effect. “I’m not going to tell other people what they see in my work. My own pieces surprise me. What people say about my paintings varies. It’s a matter of filter and perception.” – A cultural perspective from his childhood in Peru. “I see this erotism as natural as the creator- my love for animals, my love for human beings, my love for the vibrancy of life.” For nearly 47 years, Jesus has exhibited in his native homeland Peru, Argentina, and across the United States. His passion for his art and lighthearted quality is attributed to the development of his niche. There’s an air of sensuality and intrigue that’s simply part of his undeniable DNA. “When children look at my work, they tend to look at the positivity of
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“My visual language is very particular. I just found a language in which I can muster into my own.” viewer. Often people think the images might be airbrushed, but upon closer inspection you can see the thousands of brush strokes creating an everchanging rainbow of composition. It’s been an unfolding story to collect his work over the years. I feel he has a great genius for color and a magic of his narrative to these mythological creations and compositions brought to life in his art.” – Doug McCraw, the colors. To have the ability to bring a smile to a child is a humbling experience”, says Jesus.
Doug McCraw and Jesus Rojas
Founder of FATVillage Jesus Rojas Art of Color & Light is the first
There was a black and white period when he came to Florida and,
retrospective of Peruvian artist Jesus Rojas.
as Rojas describes it, regained his love for color and the Caribbean.
This exhibition encompasses work that spans
He reminisced about the mountains of The Andes. His appreciation for
over 25 years, and is on view at Project Space
illustration stemmed from the American illustrator of children’s books,
in FATVillage through April 30th.
Maurice Bernard Sendak. This set the foundation for several storybook pictorials that Rojas did. “Jesus Rojas, a Peruvian artist living in Miami, is a master of color that he translates into canvases that share a magic and power to the
With palettes of color, frolicking, cavorting, intertwined into shapes of animated canvases of deft, these are the prolific compositions of Jesus Rojas. ☐ CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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THE NEXT CHAPTER OF
FATVillage “The world will increasingly see more technology and technological innovations happen. The art world has been ‘analog’ for quite a bit, and with digital worlds taking over, we’re shaping a new era in where the physical and the digital can live hand in hand. Artwork can be fully physical without any digital notion, like a painting or sculpture. It can be half a half in where there might be a digital version of the artwork, or a piece can live totally in digital realms, like ideologies around a ‘metaverse’ or ‘digital gallery’ of things. This makes it such an important time for the art world. Where traditional galleries might have a hard time adjusting to this ‘experimental nature in where things like ‘phygital’ might be hard to adjust to, art hubs like FATVillage can be more flexible and push for these new trends to co-exist amongst old ways of presenting and representing art. “– Anouk Wipprecht
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FATVillage, a downtown historic warehouse
co-op spaces, creative labs, film studios, and
district, is in the process of going through
even a fine art print cooperative. This aggre-
a new transformation. Techies, designers,
gation of talent and disciplines has provided
artists, and creative professionals make up
a creative cluster that has continued to
the community that has been a part of Fort
evolve over the years, making the unique-
Lauderdale’s magic. Just miles north of Miami
ness of FATVillage special.
and a couple of blocks away from the Bright-
“This has comprised cutting-edge exhi-
line high-speed rail train, FATVillage further
bitions, art performances, theater, music
develops integration with artists and design-
presentations, concerts, and many creative,
ers. Many artists from the South Florida area
experimental productions. A particular
have found a home in FATVillage’s years of
outstanding result of this creativity was a
exhibition. This creative art hub has evolved
venue in FATVillage that became Arts Up!
into an ecosystem, providing a HOME for
Concepts where the art became an instal-
Photo courtesy FatVillage
sitions to Food, Art, and Technology. This transition has happened due to a continuing focus on food and design as culinary art. This targets those interested in an organic, cultural dining experience. The emerging transformation of FATVillage will stay true to its roots and authentic history of a warehouse district based on the industrial grit of this place. This new sustainably designed food art and technology mecca infused with art will be unlike anything South Florida has experienced today,” voices Doug. “Art and Technology have been colliding Fashion Tech designer Anouk Wipprecht Photo by Criss Gomez
since the dawn of times but have never been so obviously connected as they are now. Partly because of technological innovations, somewhat because artists, designers, engi-
lation of experience within the height and
launched companies with its resident artists
neers, architects, and whoever wanted to
expanse of the space. The interdisciplinary
and tenant creatives partnerships. Art Light
join started to share or borrow skills, cocre-
fusion would see more ideas incubated in
Space has done several public projects,
ate, or emerge themselves in one another’s
FATVillage. One exciting project in FATVil-
including a water tower, commercial devel-
discipline. Another is because hardware and
lage was to provide a creative environment
opments, interactive murals, and public art
software haven’t been as affordable and
to present Anouk Wipprecht with a space
projects. This experiential, participatory, and
readily available as ever before. An artist
for the maker documentary, ‘A LEAGUE of
immersive way of engaging the viewer has
wants to craft emotions, an engineer wants
EXTRAORDINARY MAKERS,” says Doug
resulted in a new and exciting experience
to create perfection, an architect wants to
McCraw, Founder of FATVillage.
in the art world. This blurring of the lines
make beauty and history, and they all start
creates a transition between visual art and
to meet in the middle. Hence, the reason
a viewing experience.
why these modern-day times are so fasci-
“A League of Extraordinary Makers is a documentary series that celebrates and chronicles the Maker movement worldwide.
“A new direction of this artistic and
nating; we have access to tools that have
Set against the backdrop of different regions
creative process will be a unique experi-
never been so readily available for any of
and economies, it explores extraordinary
ence with the culinary arts. FATVillage will
us to use whatever discipline you are in.”-
maker narratives from hobbyists to entre-
have a new food lab and exciting new food
Anouk Wipprecht
preneurs, artists to coders, designers to
collaborations. The FAT in FATVillage tran-
www.fatvillage.com | www.story-tellers.in
changemakers. The movement that started by default in garages is now resetting the future. Paving the way for designers like Anouk to reshape the present and reimagine the future of fashion technology. Spaces like FATVillage are a playground for makers to experiment with reality, to challenge the boundaries of their realms, to collaborate and intersect.” - Storyteller Films, Mumbai. FATVillage incubates artists blending them with professional business design and technology on-site. This produces art, not in the traditional sense or not how we are accustomed to seeing it. FATVillage has
Photo by Criss Gomez Model AJ Knapp
Photo courtesy FatVillage
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Ron Galella
Behind the Camera BY CINDY CLARKE
Jackie Kennedy and Ron Galella
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FEATURE
Before I set out to interview celebrity photographer Ron Galella, dubbed, and I quote, “Paparazzo Extraordinaire” by Newsweek, “the Godfather of the U.S. paparazzi culture” by Time magazine and Vanity Fair, and “arguably the most controversial paparazzo of all time” by Harper’s Bazaar, I wanted to know where the term itself originated.
enthusiastic about the countless celebrity photographs he took years ago as he is today, Ron Galella is an original much like his pictures are. He learned his craft while he was serving in the US Airforce where he was tasked with working in the lab, then taking photographs at official events. He took his skills with him when he left the service after five years, and gave them wings when he continued shooting the high life. He fell in love with photography during his years in the Air Force, he told me, and learned all he could about the process, from taking pictures to developing film and even attending the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena to study photojournalism. “I was also interested in celebrities from day one,” he said. “Even when I was at the ArtCenter, I would crash premieres just to see them.” That passion for photography and movie stars came together to launch his rather colorful career as a paparazzi persona, both loved and loathed by some of the bestknown celebrities in history. Take Jackie Kennedy, for example, by far Ron’s favorite subject. His photos of her number in the thousands, most of them shot in New York City where she lived and worked. His favorite and best-selling picture is one he calls “Windblown Jackie,” named by Time Magazine in 2016 as one of their “Most 100 influential Pictures.” And
Paparazzo is an interesting Italian sounding word after all, which the dictionary suggests is rooted in the surname name of a character named Paparazzo in Federico Fellini’s 1960 film, La Dolce Vita. In the movie, Paparazzo is a news photographer who accompanies his bold tabloid journalist colleague Marcello (played by Marcello Mastroianni) in getting headline-worthy celebrity stories. Both men are ruthless in their quest for catching celebrities in compromising situations, but Paparazzo comes across more as a loveable hooligan than one of the invasive camera-toting predators some associate paparazzi to be today. Which is exactly how I found the man behind the camera, a now 90-something Bronx-born, Italian descent Ron Galella, to be. Gentle, unassuming and as
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he remembers every vivid detail of how he got that priceless shot back in 1971, as if it were yesterday. “On that particular day, I saw her walking along Madison Avenue and followed her. At one point, I hopped in a cab so she wouldn’t see me. When I pointed her out to the cab driver, he honked at her and she looked right at me – and my camera. The wind was blowing and it was a great picture. It is my most famous picture of all time.” There’s more to the story about his photographs and interactions with Jackie, including the two lawsuits she very publicly won against him, citing his constant invasion of her privacy, but that didn’t
stop him in the end. “Jackie will always be my favorite subject,” he admits. What really attracted and inspired him every day was being able to capture a celebrity doing what ordinary people do, spontaneously. He wasn’t interested in posed
TOP: Marlon Brando and Ron Galella RIGHT: Michael Jackson and Madonna LEFT: Betty and Ron Galella
shots. He wanted the “real them.” So he did what other photojournalists do in the course of their assignments and went after in-the-moment pictures that were both newsworthy and original. And yes, when it comes to photographing famous figures who want to control when and how they are portrayed, he did get into trouble along the way.
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Marlon Brando, not known for his friendliness, actually punched Ron so hard that he broke his jaw. “It happened after he was a guest on the Dick Cavett show. I followed Dick Cavett and him to China Town, with another photographer. Brando knew about the court battle with Jackie. He asked Cavett, ‘Which one is Galella?’ And he said, ‘The tall one.’ Brando called me over and said, ‘What else do you want?’ They both had sunglasses on even though it was at night, and so I started to say it’d be nice to get a shot without the glasses, and before I said that, he socked me. He knocked out five teeth and broke my jaw. And I believe
“My second best-selling picture is the one of John Lennon looking at Mick Jagger. It was taken at the American Film Institute at the Century Plaza Hotel. I sneaked in and used a long 300-millimeter lens to get that picture.
that was all payback for Jackie.” Ron did sue Brando and won. “But it wasn’t about the money,” he added. “I didn’t want him to think he could
Ron for following Elizabeth Taylor and him to Mexico
punch other photographers and get away with it.” Ron
where they caught him hiding in a cave adjacent to
famously donned a helmet the next time he approached Brando with his camera in hand. Then there was Richard Burton. Burton was angry at
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beach where they were filming a movie scene. He actuRIGHT: Windblown Jackie BELOW: Andy Warhol
ally took all of the film out of Ron’s camera, along with the key to his hotel room where he had his men destroy
all 15 rolls of film he had taken of Elizabeth Taylor that week. They also beat him up for good measure before he spent 45 minutes in a jail cell with one of Burton’s bodyguards. Ron eventually sued them and lost the case without getting any remuneration. “The worst thing was that they destroyed all of my art, my photography,” he lamented. With highly coveted high-profile photographs in his portfolio, Ron takes his craft very seriously and tries to photograph his subjects in the best light. “My second best-selling picture is the one of John Lennon looking at Mick Jagger. It was taken at the American Film Institute at the Century Plaza Hotel. I sneaked in and used a long 300-millimeter lens to get that picture. It’s a great picture because of the composition and the one focal point of Mick Jagger facing the camera. The lighting was tremendous because CBS had it all lit up for TV.” Look closely at the woman facing John Lennon and you’ll see a young woman named May Pang who was having an affair (with Yoko’s blessing) with John during the time he and Yoko were having problems in their marriage. May Pang is still in contact with Ron decades after the photo was taken. That’s another side to Ron Galella that most people don’t associate with the paparazzi. Longtime friends with columnist Liz Smith, praised by Andy Warhol, thanked by Suzanne Somers, Robert Redford, Helen Gurley Brown, Ali McGraw, Frank Sinatra, Priscilla Presley and others whom he sent photographs he had taken of them, and hired by some of the biggest magazines, including Life, to take pictures of star-studded events, ever polite Ron Galella has made friends throughout the industry.
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ABOVE: Sophia Loren and Ron Galella LEFT: John Lennon and Mick Jagger
He even had an informal contract with Steve McQueen allowing him to take pictures for 10 to 15 minutes in exchange for not taking any unauthorized photos of the movie he was shooting with Ali McGraw. Ron handwrote and kept his promise, reading it to me during our interview. His words speak volumes about his integrity and many celebrities he candidly photographed were impressed by his unfailing sincerity. While he is an expert at sneaking into events uninvited – it’s easy to enter through the kitchen he advises – he has his standards and techniques, all of which he freely shares with aspiring celebrity photographers in his 22 published books. Among them, trust your intuition. Be persistent. Never give up. Find a loophole. Dress right. Ask a celebrity to participate – it worked wonders with Beatle
unrehearsed, spontaneous, no appointments allowed. We finished our conversation with a nostalgic look back at the famous photographs he has taken in his 60-year career, many of which are icons we’ve all seen and admired. Among them are unforgettable shots of Michael Jackson and his right hand, Madonna, Sophia Loren, Paul Newman, Queen Elizabeth and Jackie, of course. He remembers them all and remembers them well, taking great personal pleasure in the memories they created for him and the world. You can see some of his best works in his books at rongalella.com/books and you can learn more about the man himself by watching the documentary film Smash his Camera. To order books or original photographs, contact Barbara Galella at barbie65g@aol.com. If you do, we can almost guarantee that the next time you bring your camera along for that once-in-a-lifetime photo of someone you’ve admired from a distance, you’ll think of Ron Galella and let nothing stop you from giving it your best shot.
Paul McCartney. Communication sometimes pays off. Always act like you belong. There’s more. To be a great paparazzi, he says, you need to catch celebrities off guard. Your photos must be CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Hints of his native Haiti announce themselves in artist Guy Stanley Philoche’s expressive use of color, blocked, bold and beckoning with a lifetime of emotions thoughtfully layered within.
For the Love of
Guy Stanley Philoche
COVER STORY
Art
BY C I N DY C L A R K E
Photography: Zspop Editing Male Grooming: Kendall Dempster 80
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A
COVER STORY
glimpse of his Connecticut schooling – the beginning of a love affair with art during a high school field trip, mastering mediums at Paier College then upping his game at Yale – comes through in paintings perfectly executed and unfailingly engaging, voicing
LEFT: No comment Series Kimberly 60x70 mixed medium on canvas RIGHT: No comment Series
thoughts and feelings locally born and univer-
Saba
sally appealing. But it is in New York, where he
60x70 mixed medium on canvas
has lived and evolved for some twenty years, that defines him today as the people’s artist. His art is all about communication, delivered with a playful magnetism and philanthropic intellect full of possibilities and impossible to resist. We had the good fortune of meeting Guy during Miami Art Week (Art Basel), where his art and his heart captured ours. Like his paintings, he radiates enthusiasm for life in all its incantations, turning memories into moments immortal and important. That he and his work had us at hello is a given. That his love for humanity, unconditional and unfailing, took it to a new level of admiration is the reason why the world should know more about him. Our conversations, like his art, revealed the personal side of his public persona and his steadfast dedication to sharing his craft not only with an audience of inspired admirers but with aspiring artists as well. As he tells it, Guy really didn’t know much about art as a child, growing up as he did in a family of athletes whose passion for sports 82
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dominated the household and whose dreams for their sons didn’t include the idea of his becoming a starving, struggling artist. What he did know was that he loved cartoons and comics books and that he was pretty adept at copying images, creating picture-perfect lookalikes that don’t come easy to anyone other than the artistically talented. Photo by Michael Foster
“I remember a time when I was in my fourth-grade art class drawing a picture, and my teacher came over to my desk and asked me if I
traced the picture I was working on. I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t know what tracing was. I did know that you could put something in my face and I could draw it but her comment didn’t mean much to me then. I had my ‘Oprah aha moment’ in high school when we took a field trip to a museum, and
I saw Rothkos and Picassos, along with Monets and other greats that took my breath away. That’s when I fell in love with art and realized that was what I wanted to do for a living.” His parents, West Indian traditionalists who emigrated to America to give their children a better life, weren’t so eager to come on board with his plans. “They wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer or get a government job CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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old and worked his way through school
Photo by James Weber
attending classes by day, bartending at night and weekends. It was a grind and the most difficult time of his life, he admits, but worth every late night and lost night’s sleep. He dabbled in a variety of genres before finding his niche in contemporary art, channeling the vibrant color palette and style of 20th-century abstract artist Mark Rothko and making it his own. His first series of works, “Untitled,” pays homage to the influence Rothko had on his work. Rothko’s work is all about expressing human emotions through immersive works that bring viewers to tears. According to experts at the Museum of Modern Art, “Rothko painted to plumb the depths of himself and the human condition. For him, art was a profound form of communication, and art making was a moral act.” When Guy’s Untitled series first debuted in New York with tactile, abstract expressionist paintings, it turned heads in the art world, with critics and collectors alike proclaiming that “his colors drew people in but the texture and
where I would benefit from a lifelong pension. After all their sacrifices on our behalf, they did not want to see me struggle to make a living or scrub toilets as my mother would often say. They strongly opposed the path I wanted to choose and made it very clear that they would not support me in this fantasy of mine. Even then, I really didn’t blame them for thinking that way, but I was determined to follow my dreams come what may.” After graduating from high school, he kissed his parents good bye and headed off to art college on his own dime. He was 17 years 84
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OPPOSITE PAGE: Untitled series 48x60 mixed medium on canvas Private collection
His first series of works, “Untitled,” pays homage to the influence Rothko had on his work.
break up of space was ingenious.” Philoche wanted his viewers to immerse in his work, feeling, touching and smelling it to engage all their senses.” The paintings did what he hoped, selling well, launching his career and moving people with the power of art. Untitled, introduced when he was relatively unknown after a decade of pounding the pavements in the city, rightfully catapulted him into an elite group of talents whose work hangs with the movers and shakers of the city he loves. You’ll find his signature pieces in
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the esteemed corporate collections of money men from Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Barclay Investments. You’ll see them in the star-studded residences of George Clooney, Uma Thurman and Tommy Hilfiger. You’ll view them in galleries in Palm Beach, Greenwich, New York and Nantucket and shows exhibiting the world’s best. And you’ll recognize them by the inherent sense of humanity, each stroke of the brush masterfully, thoughtfully and intentionally infusing the canvas with his personal, palpable perspectives on life. Robust sales from that first series opened doors and floodgates for Philoche, who seized the momentum to show the world how
Photo by James Weber
I was raised in a family where failure was not an option so I persevered until I achieved my goals. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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that New York is dead. To remind people of
he feels about life in pop-culture series that portray the nostalgic games
all the great things New York represents, Guy
his family played during his youth, heroic cartoon icons that evoke
came up with a new series that combines the
the age of innocence in works titled Love and Revolution, high-flying
two things he loves to do in New York City:
interpretations of the value of money with dollar bills doubling as paper
take pictures of everyday sights and capture
airplanes and butterflies, and his playful painted reasons why he, we, will always love New York. Each series is stamped with his goal of making people smile, of giving them pleasure and filling their senses with joy, gifts he enjoys and shares through his art. “Art saved me,” he tells us, in an explanation so genuine and heartfelt it’s not difficult to fathom. He came to the United States from Haiti as a little boy, moving with his family, a trio of sons in tow, to Connecticut to start a new life. He didn’t speak the language and was daunted by the cold climate. He found solace and his newfound communication skills in the cartoons he watched on TV, making friends with the colorful caricatures as they taught him to speak English and provided the inspiration for the drawings he made in his room while his brothers played sports. Later, when he experienced his first eye-opening field trip visit to an art museum which housed works by some of the most famous artists in the world, works he wanted to touch, something clicked inside of him that changed the course of his life forever. “I vowed then and there that I was going to make art that people can touch.” He did that and then some, making art that can touch people as well. “Putting myself through art school was a gift,” he said, adding that had his parents paid for his college education he may not have had the drive to take the journey he has been on for the last twenty years. “I was raised in a family where failure was not an option so I persevered until I achieved my goals.” That perseverance included knocking on the doors of countless galleries that weren’t interested in his work, stuffing Village Voice newspapers in high-net worth neighborhoods with some 2,000 flyers of his work every Wednesday night at midnight in hopes of a sale, and personally transporting his artwork on a dolly he pushed from his Upper East Side apartment to a lower Manhattan gallery for his first exhibition because he couldn’t afford to rent a van. “My apartment was my work space. During the day I would paint all day and at night I would make my rounds and invite people over to look at my work. I turned my bed into a couch for business meetings and lived out a duffle bag for years. And thank goodness for Subway’s sandwich promotion ‘buy one, get one free’ that enabled me to eat during the leanest of times.” Through it all he kept right on working, undeterred and uniquely dedicated to his craft. “I don’t have the luxury of articulating my feelings sometimes. So therefore, I express my feelings in art.” He did that during the pandemic when he got tired of people saying 88
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LEFT: New York, I Still Love You Series Subway token 48x48 mixed medium on canvas Right: New York, I still love you Series Hamilton 48x48 mixed medium on canvas
enjoyable moments in time in his paintings. “Just remembering why New York is New York resonates with people. When we did the big reveal of this series in Art Miami, we realized how much people still love New York. The paintings were right on the mark and it was so gratifying to see how much they meant to the people who bought them.” Comprised of 10 mixed-media paintings, the collection was exhibited by Cavalier Gallery where he is
currently represented and quickly became a highlight of Miami Art Week. They were also timely. That’s another talent that Guy brings to the table, the ability to be ahead of the curve. “Sometimes as artists,” he explained, “your audiences aren’t even born yet.” A perfect example is his “No comment” series, painted a decade go, featuring powerful women who had high profile jobs but who weren’t part of that proverbial boys club culture. “I thought these were probably some of the most powerful works I had ever done and I was super excited. I remember shopping them to my dealers and collectors. And guess what, nobody wanted to touch them,” he explained. Fast forward 10 years later, after the much publicized “Me Too” movement, and those works have sold out. How did he stay confident in the days before his big break? He powered through it knowing he had something people wanted. Talking to him, we also knew he worked hard to be the best he could be
because as he said before, success was his only option. “What you need to know about me,” he said, “is that no one opened doors for me. I was that kid that went through the back door and through the window just to get to the room. Now I actually have a seat at the table in the room. Being an artist is not for everybody but, I’m making it my obligation to make sure I open doors for people who want to try.” That’s another thing about Guy Stanley Philoche. While determined and tenacious on his own behalf, he does not have that competitive edge. Instead, he is interested in sharing the spotlight with other deserving artists. To that end, he has made good on his promise to buy a painting whenever he sells one of his, launching a collection of original works, which today is valued at more than $100,000, by artists ready for their close-up. Serendipitously, I happened to watch a Kelly Clarkson show recently where Guy was a featured guest. During the show, Guy surprised a talented young painter by buying one of her pieces and showcasing it in an exhibition of new works. The look of sheer joy and happy tears on her face were mirrored on his and I knew I had just witnessed the unabridged secrets of Guy’s success. Work hard, be kind and bring joy to those around you. And when it comes to purchasing art, buy what you love, buy what you love, and buy what you love. ☐ About the Artist Guy Stanley Philoche is an internationally acclaimed contemporary artist and philanthropist whose mixed media abstract realist paintings voice richly textured, colorful images of daily life, past and present, in themed series that blend nostalgia with unspoken cultural commentary. He is represented by Cavalier Galleries, with locations in New York City, Greenwich, Connecticut, and Nantucket. For more information, please contact Cavalier Galleries at 212.570.4696 or visit, www.cavaliergalleries.com CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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UNCUT, UNEDITED AND UNCAGED BY C I N DY C L A R K E
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Lucia and Dionne Warwick celebrating Life together after one of her concerts
LUCIA Kaiser FEATURE
Lucia and Mikhail Baryshnikov I was Chairwoman and totally responsible for bringing him to Honolulu to perform for one time only this was at the Honolulu Club afterparty I threw for him
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er birthday party, fittingly over the top in every way, revealed a lot about the Lucia Kaiser her friends knew and loved, and as newly minted acquaintances of this lovely lady, we reveled in the opportunity to get to know her better. Among
the VIP guests we mingled with, on hand to celebrate her in the style she so obviously adored, were A-list celebrities, gifted musicians, media moguls, cover girl models and invited intimates, luminaries all, who clearly enjoyed shining the spotlight on the birthday queen.
Personal well wishes came from far and wide, crossing COVID-closed borders all over the world in message form so they could join her
entertainment industry? We were excited to find out.
in spirit and not miss her big day, heartfelt notes from best friends
We had the delightful opportunity to speak to her about an adven-
Quincy Jones and Dionne Warwick among them. As you might expect
turous life lived on her terms and the self confidence that kept her safe
for an Emmy-winning entertainment industry insider, fabulously gifted
along the way. What she shared is the stuff of movies and romance
performers, from jazz to opera to salsa stars, sang, played and danced for her, wowing the room with talents like the ones she booked during her reign with Johnny Carson. Guests sipped on exquisite, très chère Louis XIII cognac, barrel-aged to rare perfection, crystal toasted with the very best French champagne, and indulged in a luscious dream cake as decadent and picture pretty as Lucia herself. And the setting in a beautiful spacious New York City loft apartment in Soho that owned
novels, with royal intrigues, passionate affairs,
There was one surfer who was really mad that we were allowed to join them and he rammed me with his surfboard, making it look like an accident. I ended up in the emergency hospital with my foot in a cast.
spectacular city views was equally as warm and welcoming as everyone knew Lucia to be.
daring escapades and a star-studded line up of jobs, saviors and lovers that had us riveted from the start. As she tells it, she was born to travel, having arrived in the middle of an ocean crossing during her parent’s voyage from Sicily to America to start a new life. Her mother, an Old World Roman Catholic, became a Jehovah’s Witness, and often sent her eightyear-old daughter out on the streets in their Bronx neighborhood to peddle the nationally
syndicated Witness publications: “The Watchtower” and “Awake”
Which begs the question: how did a girl from The Bronx like Lucia
Magazines. Even then, Lucia (then known as Sandra) instinctively
climb to the top of a traditionally cut-throat, couch-casting career and
knew how to make the best of any situation she found herself in,
not only remain remarkably her own person, but also gain recogni-
selling 25 cent magazines and pocketing a nickel from each sale
tion as one of the best-liked, universally respected women in the
for her own calling. All the while she was breezing through school with exceptional grades, skipping a year before graduating from high school at the tender age of 15. Money and Hawaii was on her mind then so, with a fake ID in hand, she auditioned for an American musical variety show that would set the stage for her life in show business. She was cast on the spot as a caged go-go dancer on Hullabaloo, a TV showcase for leading pop stars featuring major
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musical artists and hosted by a different top-name star each week, including Sammy Davis Jr. who would become one of her dearest lifelong friends. When he found out that the pretty raven-haired dancer was underage, he took her under his wing. Her time dancing was cut short when her mother got word that her young daughter was dancing inappropriately on television and proceeded to march down to the NBC studios to rescue her from evil. She actually saved the money she made dancing on the show and was able to fund her way to the life of luaus and leis she dreamed of – and off she flew to Hawaii to make her obsession with a place where the wealthiest of the wealthy lived in an ocean-lined paradise come true. Fearless and fun loving, she dove right into Hawaiian life, modeling hats and bikinis for a living and getting her feet wet – then winning 2 back-to-back women’s championships – in surfing competitions, before a collision with another surfer sidelined her. In those years, she told me, women could only compete against women; she wasn’t allowed to officially challenge the men. “Did that
stop her?” I asked, knowing the answer before she had a chance to tell me her story, one of many I would discover where she stood up for women’s rights. She recalled that she and a girlfriend were allowed to surf Opposite page: Kevin Costner & Lucia at Bill Clinton’s inaugeration party at Ethel and Robert Kennedy’s home Top: Lucia at Bette Midler’s birthday party Left: Johnny Carson Photo by Ron Galella
with the guys in a casual contest. “There was one surfer who was really mad that we were allowed to join them and he rammed me with his surfboard, making it look like an accident. I ended up in the emergency hospital with my foot in a cast.” “That’s when I returned to New York and landed a job with Johnny Carson,” she added, somewhat nonchalantly I thought, as CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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if getting a job with the late great king of late-night television was something anyone, let alone a woman, could easily do. But Lucia is not just any woman. Carson called her the gutsiest
Clockwise from top left: Donna Summer, Steffan Kaiser and Lucia
woman he had ever met with more balls than any guy he ever met, first
Dolly Parton and Lucia
hiring her as an intern, one foot in a cast, the other in a very sexy high
Muhammad Ali being honored and Lucia was his special VIP guest
heel shoe, then promoting her in the coveted role as Talent Booker for his television show, the first time a woman would hold this position. She also took on the job as show publicist, again making waves in a
Tony Curtis and Lucia
“Are you kidding me?” he said, trademark Johnny Carson expression on his face. “Do you, did you ever look in the mirror?” Laugh track, then serious again. “And you turned out to be one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met in my life.” And from all accounts he meant it. Lucia and Johnny would work closely
high-profile role that made people stop and take notice. She was just
together for five years, he fully confident in
19 at the time and had landed one of the most powerful positions with
her abilities to do anything she set her mind
one of the most powerful celebrities on TV. She remembers asking
to, he was always confident in her value as
Johnny why he ended up interviewing her.
an exceptional executive. What she endured behind the scenes reinforces the person he believed her to be. “I was sexually harassed many times over the years because of my looks but I never once gave into their demands. In fact, when
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FEATURE
I went on to make a lot of money for women in my day, sadly never equal to what men were paid, and traveled the world because of it. I’ve lived all over and have experienced so much.
I told Johnny about the men who were harassing, or inappropriately propositioning me - some who were from his powerful inner circle, and told him I was leaving, he said, ‘No, you’re not leaving, they are.’ And he fired them just like that.” To say that Lucia was ahead of her time is a given. Blessed with beauty and brains and the self-assuredness to live life on her terms, she never thought twice about compromising her standards. Never one to be intimidated, no one, no man, was going to tell her what to do no matter how omnipotent he considered himself to be. “And I always paid my own way,” she added proudly. “I had an uncle who early on warned me about the dangers I would face as a woman. He described exactly what could happen, leaving no
profile as a Revlon Lipstick Girl, making her
details to the imagination, if I were to be sexually assaulted or trafficked
agency a success from the get-go. It is also
to someplace I couldn’t escape from. I never forgot his words and
where her fortune and fearlessness grew – as
gratefully share them with parents and young children whenever I can.”
did her disdain for men who would denigrate
She ended up leaving the Johnny Carson show to head up an
women.
all-women’s advertising agency as President at the extraordinary offer of a man who recognized the many assets she brought to the table. She had top-tier connections and social contacts from her job with Johnny Carson – think Joan Crawford, Burt Reynolds, the Rat Pack, and a wide range of headlining superstars – and from her very visible
The Alliance Francaise Org. Honoring Lucia’s dearest friend Quincy Jones with Morgan Freeman and all the A-Stars from Hollywood
“Disgusted” with the man who backed the business, she ended up closing the agency after a year. Following that chapter, her need for wanderlust emerged again and this time she decided to take an extensive trip throughout Europe with Amsterdam being the first stop. The entire trip was filled with too many adventured to be told - some highlights including getting stopped and held at Check Point Charlie for 24 hours in East Germany for being mistaken for another woman; getting caught at a Marine Base in Naples, Italy for sneaking in to visit a boyfriend and again almost getting arrested and told she could never come back to Naples, just to name a few. During another trip to Rome, after being smothered by an ardent admirer who followed her, she flew to Egypt, a dream destination for Lucia who had studied Egyptian art and wanted to see The Pyramids, her trip resulted in imperial intrigues in Anwar Sadat’s royal
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Photo by Jeff Smith
FEATURE
While she mentioned having a gun held to her head for some act of cultural disobedience, she assured me she had the freedom to come and go from the palace as she pleased. Living the life of a princess was not a bad deal for her, a kid from the Bronx. That is until her partner explained that she was to be taken away the very next day and he didn’t have the power to stop it. When she voiced her horror at the Prince’s plans, he helped her escape in a thrilling edge-ofyour-seat story that is destined to be retold on the big screen and one that underscores her life’s mission today. While she supports an array of causes on behalf of the homeless and the helpless, she has been especially focused on making the world a better and safer place for women and children and by bringing awareness to the very real dangers
Photo by Jeff Smith
of sex trafficking, having experienced it
palace, a passionate six month relationship with a handsome courtier which sadly ended when an ultra-powerful Saudi Prince who wanted to purchase her from her lover to be part of a “high class” subversive sex trafficking ring - He threatened her life when she would not comply. Listening to her stories, my imagination raced back in time to the days of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, where their ever-watchful enemies were always ever present, when kidnappings and murders were rampant, and star-crossed lovers fled to safety by any means possible. 96
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Clockwise from top left: Françcois Belizaire, Mikaela Rae, Paulette Cleghorn and Lucia Lucia’s Birthday celebration in SOHO, NYC, December 4, 2021 Rita Cosby, Bob Tate, Lucia and Tomaczek Bednarek Opposite page: Surprise Birthday Party for Lucia’s husband Steffan Kaiser in Honolulu Hawaii
firsthand. “Were it not for my friend in Egypt, my story would have ended very differently and I wouldn’t be here today to tell it. I could have been one of those women who are forever
To say that Lucia was ahead of her time is a given. Blessed with beauty and brains and the self-assuredness to live life on her terms, she never thought twice about compromising her standards.
After her husband Steffan Kaiser’s tragic and untimely passing, Lucia turned her attention to documentary filmmaking and philanthropic causes, winning two Emmys in the process and making a huge difference in countless lives. She has received The Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Cannes Film Festival, Philanthropy and Leadership in Pioneering Women in the Business Entertainment Industry for breaking barriers for women, an incredible HBO Legacy Award for her role as President of Bruce Lee’s Film Company in Hong Kong, The Lifetime Achievement Humanitarian Award from GEM (Global Empowerment Movement Organization) at The United Nations and was chosen at The Davos International Forum in Switzerland as
lost to a world of slavery. What he did by warning me and secreting
one of the 100 Most Influential Women in America just to name a
me away on a boat bound for Beirut and a flight to the US, Egyptian
few. She’s raised millions for Charity, including building a ballet school
law enforcement would never have dared do, and I owe him my life.”
in Hawaii, was one of the original founding members of The Maui
“I went on to make a lot of money for women in my day, sadly never
Film Festival and continues to support causes dear to her all over
equal to what men were paid, and traveled the world because of it.
the world. And after making many an actor and actress household
I’ve lived all over and have experienced so much. If you saw pictures
names, she’s now back home in the New York metropolitan region
of me from the past, you’ll know that I have always been able to blend
where film companies are in discussions to finally produce a movie
in with different nationalities, from the time I was kidnapped to South
and a TV series about her.
America to my days passing for an Egyptian with my sun-darkened
This time, they won’t have to embellish the script to make her story
skin and long black hair to a visit to Israel where the locals thought
a riveting box office hit because all of the scenes in Lucia Kaiser’s
I was a local”
life, as unimaginable as they are, are the real deal. We can’t wait to
That blending in opened doors to cultural experiences few Amer-
sit in the front row. ☐
ican women have. Her travels and the travails she encountered along the way were in turn dangerous and delightful, pitting her against good men and bad until she met the love of her life. While traveling in Hong Kong, she agreed to accompany a man to meet a potential employer which led to her job as president of Bruce Lee’s Film Company, a role traditionally held only by men in a centuries-old chauvinistic society. Riding head-to-head with machismo motorcycle racers – Steve McQueen taught her how to ride – While motorcycle racing in Bangkok she got into a terrible accident and ended up in an army hospital with soldiers from Vietnam. She jumped out of a plane 32 times, letting nothing hold her back from soaring through life her way. And while she admits to being a real player back then with no interest in marriage or children with a bevy of men at her beck and call, meeting a handsome golden-haired stranger in a Munich Disco Club and going home with him on that first night lasted 23 blissful years of marriage she’ll never take for granted. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Of S und Mind Chrystabell x Vital Neuro Explores the Spectrum of Frequency
BY KAMI SLOAN
Music is the universal language” that crosses cultural
“Our psychophysiological and emotional life
and societal boundaries. The frequencies and vibrations
depends on the efficiency and relevance of our
it gives off not only unify us as a people but celebrate
brain operating system to the time and era we live
our humanity - our life - our core existence. Did you
in. Currently, our operating system and unconscious
know that sound can be an elixir of life when your brain
physiological responses are out of tune with our
is guided and bathed in therapeutic sonic waves? The
socio-psychological life and actual reality”, shares Dr.
communicative response sound has on our psyche
Kamran Fallahpour, Ph.D. Founder & Chief Science
and physiology plays an integral role in impacting our
Officer at Vital Neuro.
well-being. Vital Neuro ™ is a neurotech platform that
Venü converses with singer and actress Chrystabell
integrates music, sound, and real-time brain monitoring
and Dr. Kamran Fallahpour, Ph.D., about their collabo-
to alleviate stress and anxiety.
ration and the healing power of music. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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VENÜ: How did you meet, and how did the collaboration initiate? CB:The story essentially is indicative of how my favorite connections are made – which is where you tap into a situation, and you feel like there’s an alignment that is happening without trying or forcing. This is often when magic can happen. It was the case with this collaboration. I was making a music video for “Suicide Moonbeams”, one of my favorite songs on Midnight Star, with Melana Abramov, a director who has been very significant in my life, as a guide and a giver of insight. We collaborated on expansive projects that contributed to my spiritual evolution. Our reciprocation process was that I would star in a short film that she was directing, and she would direct my music video. Through the course of bringing the team together to create the video, Melana met FashionTech designer Anouk Wipprecht, and all the pieces after that came into alignment for the video and the experience– Kamran was one
the brain-computer interface to change people’s frequencies, helping
of those pieces. If I were the type of artist who made jingles brands and
to shift from one locked brain mind-space to another, which is a more
products, I don’t think I could have written a more appropriate song for
expansive, more inclusive, better place to be. We are at a place in our
his product. My song lyrically mentions “tuning in” to frequencies that
society and the planet where our focus is fixated on the wrong variables.
can change the paradigm of your reality. You can focus here, or you can look over there. Kamran created a tool you
Vital Neuro’s™ mission is to provide the tools to shift conscious planes away from places of anxieties, stress, and obsessive values. Our planet needs it! We believe we can
can use for the process. Bring it on! I thought it was
make an impact of change.
remarkable – a lovely alignment. When you get
My scientific background in neuroscience
things that start to feel like “The Cosmic Yes”,
and clinical psychological research led me to
you go with it.
develop Vital Neuro™ in delivering a platform KF: I certainly agree with you on multiple levels,
and a lifestyle product that guides our brain
there was a strong synchronicity between
plasticity direction towards a better state of
everything that was happening. Anouk
mind. Human beings have an unconscious
expressed that a collaboration with Chrystabell
operating system, an autonomic nervous system that’s always on autopilot. If we spend too much
would be the right match for how I foresaw Vital
time in fight or flight state, then we lose a sense of
Neuro’s™ direction. I was looking for a brilliant artist to engage with musically, to co-produce music that would have a scientific impact based on neuroscientific principles. When I initially spoke to Chrystabell over the phone, I thoroughly enjoyed
what humanity is all about. We believe that neurotechnology in that regard has the potential to help make a giant leap forward in human consciousness.
her style of music. At this point, I wasn’t privy to the song. When I met her on the set at the video production, I realized the deeply profound layers
VENÜ: What has music given to you on a deeper level?
of what she was singing about. She sung about the process we use with
CB: Music, in general, has been my medicine when I needed a friend and a complete support system for my emotional welfare. As an artist,
Kamran Fallahpour, Ph.D. Founder & Chief Science Officer at Vital Neuro
I want to be someone who can offer comfort to others knowing the depths music has given to me in certain moments in my life. My life purpose is significant; it’s a life dedication that is deeply rewarding. All the sacrifices that you could perceive are made. As artists, we want to reach out to so many people and being supported is a bit of a bridge to cross. Sometimes you feel like you’re not making the right choice as a lifelong artist, musician, creator performer, and you’re waiting to get on the other side during the midst of that journey. Music is my mantra, and other meditations + TM. I’m deeply and soulfully aligned in what I feel my soul purpose is. Everything else is inconsequential. I’m exactly
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where I should be – I’m right on time, and I hope people get this. VENÜ: Can you share how you collaborate with David Lynch? CB: David is an example of another microcosm-another massive cosmic yes in my life. I was blessed to meet someone at Creative Artists Agency who not only saw me as an artist and supported my vision but was one of the only people on the planet that David trusts to carefully select people for possible collaborations. I would say that when meeting David it was “love at first chord”. We’ve nurtured a musical partnership spanning more than two decades. As humans, we enjoy sharing time and space. His influence has been nothing less than profound in my life as a person and an artist. In Twin Peaks, season 3, our characters essentially mirror the personal dynamic we share, and now it’s immortalized in this phenomenal piece of art that continues to reconnect us on this plane. VENÜ: Please explain what the new album MIDNIGHT STAR means to you. What’s the message? CB: My whole endeavor was to lift and orally massage out of a dip or valley. I felt a bit enlivened and inspired. In past projects, my musical references have been on the darker side of things as with red wine, hot baths, and dark dreamscapes.. KF: Which has its own beauty, by the way. CB: All of that brought me to where I am now. I’m still drawn to that time and place, but the space, time, and dimension that we’re moving into is more electric - more ephemeral, ethereal in nature. Things don’t have to be so heavy. We can get the upgrades faster- be more open to information and surrender without asking so many questions. This album, for me, is about offering “diamond raindrops,” sparkle – a tiny opening with possibilities of seeing each other in this way. There’s no need to get fixated with other directions- shake it up, clear the debris. There’s a mystical side, a hero’s journey. MIDNIGHT STAR takes you on an adventure that is enthusiastic about the peaks and valleys; there’s a sparkling Merkabah on this trip, and I was like – ok, let’s go!
VENÜ: How did you feel when you put on the headsets for the first time? How did it move you? KF: The music currently being played through the headphones is music that we’ve composed and produced based upon neuroscientific principles. The music we hope to collaborate with Chrystabell also includes SM, (Suicide Moonbeams). Its an iconic song that matches our vision well and is an excellent example of positivity in its messaging. It’s challenging to compose and produce upbeat music that doesn’t sound trivial and shallow. Chrystabell has achieved this in her work by giving meaning, drive, positivity, and a profound message. This is very difficult to achieve. CB: The idea that Vital Neuro incorporates this scientific understanding and awareness in raising frequency is fascinating and ultra, ultra, cool. KF: We look at Vital Neuro ™ as a music and meditational brand that couples a fashion-savvy lifestyle with a cognitive approach. “Our brain can rewire and optimize when given precise real-time information about its functions using sensor technology and brain-computer interface.” Vital science produces a deep relaxed state, reduces stress, improves sleep, enhances focus, increases energy, and simply makes you feel happier. Get the shift you need with Vital Neuro.™ ☐ www.chrystabell.com | www.vitalneuro.com CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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PULSE: Music
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Directed & Edited by: Melana Abramov Photographer: Yanni De Melo Fashion Tech: Anouk Wipprecht Make-Up: Maggie Strunk Hair: Crystal Pratt Studio: Robot Studios CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Oh Savannah A trip down Perry Lane BY CINDY CLARKE
T
The last time I was in Savannah
her art-rich townhome, each flavored with
simply won’t do. Like an exemplary valet
was a virtual drive-by stop en
the sensibilities of a city long-revered as the
staff that doesn’t just open doors for you,
route to the airport for lunch with
“Hostess City of the South.” That I would
but that introduce themselves, like Alex did,
never again experience such a mem-
Spring Island. I didn’t know anything about
orably authentic welcome by a
her sister – or the city – but I was game to
stranger in an unfamiliar place
say hello and enjoy a good meal before my
was something I resigned
might add, inside the hotel
flight. Turns out her sister was none other
myself to, because even as
they love working at. And
than cookbook author and caterer Susan
a well-seasoned traveler,
Pops, the congenial gent
Mason. A local culinary legend and an irre-
this visit was a true rarity.
pressible grand dame of Savannah society,
That is, until my next visit
Susan serves up elegant southern hospitality
to Savannah at the Perry Lane
with her distinctive Auntie Mame flair in the
Hotel.
stately homes of the city’s oldest families
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and hand you a bottle of water, or a
the sister of a friend I had just met in nearby
I am prone to superlatives when
bottomless glass of champagne, as they invite you, warmly I
in the seer-sucker suit who offers you insider tips and a complimentary drive to city landmarks you may want to see. And the hospitality team who
and the celebrities who come to town. I was
I discover some place worthy of words that
refill your champagne as they fill you in on
intrigued by her stories and tell-all walk to
don’t yet exist because the ordinary ones
all the hotel’s amenities – and Adelaide
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TRAVEL
Harcourt’s artful adventures – you’ll discover during your stay. And Laura Cunningham, the beyond-knowledgeable concierge who not only knows the ins and outs and hidden gems of a city steeped in squares, haunts, and SCAD-designed treasures, but who is a member of the elite Clefs d’Or, famous for orchestrating golden key access where others can’t and for keeping the word “no” out of their vocabulary. And that is only in the first 30 minutes of an unexpectedly memorable stay at this award-winning hotel, aptly set in the heart of the historic district. Newly built and opened in 2018, the elegant Perry Lane Hotel, rated #1 in Savannah, is the epitome of past made perfect, and then some. A refreshing blend of understated luxury and all-out home-inspired comforts – think morning coffee, all day long; 5:00 PM cocktails, creatively concocted, generously poured, and gratis of course; sink-in-soft Luxury Collection beds that hug you to sleep; spacious rain showers that may have
ready to pack for a whirlwind trip, are hung
Thoughtfully put together by NINE dots ART
closet style as an irresistible homage to her
from the perspective of a single collector,
whimsical flair.
Miss Adelaide Harcourt, the collection gives
The art is part of the appeal of the hotel.
a well-deserved nod to the local art scene.
you rethink drying off and getting dressed; and dining venues that pamper your palate with seasonal fare and chef-proud specialties – this is not just any Marriott Luxury Collection hotel. For one thing, it’s managed by Sage Hospitality Group, purveyors of perfection when it comes to top-tier guest service and satisfaction. At Perry Lane, the smiles and friendliness of their exceptional team of hospitality professionals, from the front door to the front desk to the rooftop bar, are genuine give-aways for the happy home ambiance you’ll indulge in at the hotel. Add the striking design and vintage chic décor, intimately informed by the imaginative tales of the hotel’s most famous resident, Miss Adelaide Harcourt, whose eclectic travel memorabilia, artwork and collected treasures line the halls, walls, nooks and crannies of the hotel, and you’ll agree there is wisdom to their vision here. Adelaide’s penchant for artful design is also evident in the hotel’s gift shop, MUSE, where clothing and accessories, CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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TRAVEL
There are over 1,200+ works of art, not counting the unique objets d’art and antiques, displayed throughout the hotel.
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There are over 1,200+ works of art, not count-
work by Paul Gauguin and one by Sandy
ing the unique objets d’art and antiques,
Skoglund. Guest favorites include a capti-
displayed throughout the hotel. They include
vating picture of little boy blue blowing his
pieces by 81 artists with ties to The Savannah
horn made from a cancelled check collage
College of Art and Design (SCAD), 75 artists
innovatively created by a SCAD student, and
from Savannah, 23 international artists, one
the two expressive little sculpted men who
affable and talented barkeep at the Wayward, before indulging in regionally fresh Southern cooking at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, where the shrimp and grits tantalized with delectable Savannah tradition and our ever-attentive hostess made sure everything was to our liking. It was. Which brings me back to my first time in Savannah when I was greeted like a long-lost friend by a fascinating resident who uncannily has lot in common with the globe-trotting Adelaide at the Perry Lane Hotel. A visual passion for art and travel. Curated treasures that speak volumes about the interests they share. A fondness for reverie. A love of life. Fine food and fun with friends who are welcomed like family. And a place alive with the spirit of Savannah, where the door is always open and the memories last lifetimes. It’s no wonder I plan to make my way back guard the ballerina wall near the elevator
easy to navigate city with cobbled charms,
to the rooftop Peregrin bar and are oft the
majestic moss-draped oaks and horse-
target of new collectors who would love to
drawn carriages at every turn.
bring them home.
When we got hungry for a different taste
to Perry Lane soon, friends in tow. ☐ For more information and to book a stay at the Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury
The 167-room boutique property is also
of the city, we returned to the hotel for sig-
Collection Hotel, Savannah, please visit:
ideally located within walking distance
nature drinks personally concocted by the
www.perrylanehotel.com
of Savannah’s must-see sights, midway between fountained Forsyth Park and the riverfront, a block from Bull Street. You can take in a panoramic overview from the Peregrin, the hotel’s undeniably alluring rooftop bar, complete with a sun-kissed pool, before heading out to wander through 300 years of architectural history past its cottages, early row houses, Georgian colonials, Federal homes, Victorian mansions and art deco addresses like we did with Jonathan Stalcup, SCAD graduate and architectural historian extraordinaire. Or you can hop aboard a trolley for a narrated ride past the city’s 23 park-like squares, engaging with “true” tales about the haunted houses and ghosts of the city’s illustrious and literary heritage. Weather and energy permitting, you can pedal to the parks on one of the hotel’s complimentary bicycles, seeing the sights eye-to-eye like the locals do. Savannah is an CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Become a Leader in Ocean Conservation:
A Green Guide to Boating BY IVONNE GAMBOA
T
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he International SeaKeepers Society, a
appointed based in London to start expansion
non-profit organization that facilitates
of programming in Europe.
oceanographic research, education,
SeaKeepers Asia focuses on introducing
and conservation, enables the yachting
marine science and conservation through the
community to advance marine science and
Educational Outreach Program dedicated to
raise awareness on global ocean issues. Sea-
youth. The chapter covers the territories of
Keepers accomplishes its mission through the
Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia,
DISCOVERY Yacht Program, which comprises
Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia,
scientist-led expeditions, citizen science trips,
and Thailand. Since its inception, the chapter
educational outreach events, and commu-
has engaged with 14 schools and participated
nity engagement activities. Vessel owners
in over 55 projects focused on marine con-
and captains can participate in a 10-minute
servation. The efforts in Asia are founded
instrument deployment while en route to the
on creating better local awareness of our
next port, to an afternoon outreach trip with
oceans’ current situation to build a sense
children, to week-long expeditions with a
of appreciation and commitment to protect,
team of researchers and scientists. Program-
conserve, and restore the marine ecosystem
ming in the United States is accomplished
where possible.
through its headquarters in Miami, Florida. In
Since early 2021, SeaKeepers Asia and
2015, SeaKeepers expanded with a chapter
SeaKeepers Headquarters have estab-
in Singapore headed by Director of Programs,
lished the Carbon Impact Program (CIP),
Gail Tay and in the fall of 2021 a position was
which was launched to the public in Asia
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YACHTING: Seakeepers
in November of 2021. The CIP is a hub of resources that include a carbon footprint calculator, blogs that cover topics on eco-conscious living, a recognition page that spotlights vessels implementing sustainable practices, and A Green Guide to Boating, a manual that highlights tips and resources for recreational boating.
“Do not leave shore without a copy of ‘A Green Guide to Boating,’ a wonderfully rich source of wit and wisdom about how to explore and enjoy the ocean with a light touch, and of inspired ways to safeguard ‘what’s under the boat’ – Earth’s living blue heart.”
advantage of our water planet by abusing her as an endless resource and a universal sewer. In order to do our part, we must not take what she offers; we must nurture and protect her as well. ‘A Green Guide to Boating’ is an excellent common sense ‘relationship therapy’ book which helps us find a
Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, Marine Biologist, Oceanographer, Explorer, Author, Lecturer & National GeoExplorer in Residence.
balanced relationship with our life support system, our ocean planet.” – Foreword by Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Conservationist &
“Do not leave shore without a copy of ‘A Green Guide to Boating,’ a wonderfully rich source of wit and wisdom about how to explore and enjoy the ocean with a light touch, and of inspired ways to safeguard ‘what’s under the boat’ – Earth’s living blue heart.” - Foreword by Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, Marine Biologist, Oceanographer, Explorer, Author, Lecturer & National GeoExplorer in Residence. Vessels now have a comprehensive guide to adopt good boating practices that protect the ocean and reduce their carbon footprint. A Green Guide to Boating offers plenty of advice, resources, and examples. To download a copy, scan the QR code or visit WWW.SEAKEEPERS.ORG/A-GREEN-GUIDETO-BOATING/ “People of the sea: boaters, divers, surfers, fishermen, and vacationers alike have always had an integral relationship with our ocean world. For too long, we have taken CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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YACHTING: Seakeepers
“People of the sea: boaters, divers, surfers, fishermen, and vacationers alike have always had an integral relationship with our ocean world. For too long, we have taken advantage of our water planet by abusing her as an endless resource and a universal sewer. In order to do our part, we must not take what she offers; we must nurture and protect her as well. ‘A Green Guide to Boating’ is an excellent common sense ‘relationship therapy’ book which helps us find a balanced relationship with our life support system, our ocean planet.” Fabien Cousteau, Ocean Conservationist & Documentary Filmmaker
Documentary Filmmaker SeaKeepers is supported through the generosity of donors, many of whom provide vessels as donations to the charity. In working with industry partners such as Camper & Nicholson’s International, Northrop & Johnson, and more, SeaKeepers is able to accept donated vessels that will help support ocean conservation, education, and exploration. Donating your vessel can immediately eliminate ownership costs and considerably reduce
Scan the QR Code to download a copy of A Green Guide to Boating 112
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your income tax burden. For more information on the vessel donation program, go to www. seakeepers.org/yacht-donations-program/ yacht-donation-program-details.
WELL-BEING: Grounding
Sardinia, Italy | Photo by Reiseuhu
GROUNDING Bringing Medical Advice Back Down to Earth BY CINDY CLARKE There have been a lot of hit and misses in the news of late,
what worked and what didn’t in terms of a healthy lifestyle. But
especially when it comes to the mixed messaging in media-re-
today, with the great mask debate, heart health reversals, EMF
leased medical advice surrounding COVID. But this is not new
controversies, multiplying misdiagnoses and more muddling
news. Throughout the centuries, clinical studies have trumped
access to the answers we seek, it is increasingly difficult to
or trounced published studies that came before, illustrating
know who and what to trust in our quest to live longer and
conflicting medically sanctioned recommendations when it
better.
comes to our health.
I came across the term “medical never minds” recently
There once was a time when everyone thought it was cool
and wondered why so many publicly touted findings, once
to smoke. It was OK that coke had cocaine in it, and radium
sacrosanct, are later refuted by the very scientists and medical
cure-alls and deep dark suntans, now deemed dangerous,
professionals we look to for sound guidance. I was reminded
were considered healthy. Modern day medicine and health
of a conversation I had with cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sina-
organizations put an end to all that, learning through research
tra who shared that doctors, health officials, scientists and
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WELL-BEING: Grounding
learn that they had been wrong in believing that people would die earlier with high cholesterol. That was a total paradigm shift for them and they had a difficult time accepting it. But the science showed them the facts. Up until that time, we doctors grew up with the notion that the higher the cholesterol, the fewer years a person would live. In other words, higher cholesterol predisposed them to strokes, heart attacks, dementia and more. But now we know that cholesterol is vital for protecting neurons, and the workings of the brain among other things.” “What is constant is that medicine is always changing. What we considered dogma 100 years ago is a fallacy today. One of the hallmarks that good doctors are privy to is the myth fallacy. Sometimes a myth becomes fact and the dogma becomes the fallacy. I’ve seen that happen in my own lifetime when we treated gastric ulcers by surgically cutting them out Photo by KoolShooters
and cauterizing them. Twenty years later it was discovered that gastric ulcers were caused by, H Pylori, a bacteria, that could be treated with
researchers can provide deep expertise and
have, the more tools you have in your tool
vital perspective, but they are also fallible and
chest and the more versatile you are. That’s
have their own biases.
the basis of conventional training. Then there’s
Many studies are refuted over time. Paid researchers embark on studies wanting certain results. We tend to think of the scientific
A highly respected researcher, author and
non-conventional training, like what the Ameri-
integrative health practitioner, Dr. Sinatra is
can College of Nutrition does, where you learn
frustrated by misrepresentative health claims
about energetic medicine, herbal medicine,
too. He explained that a third of the medical
vitamins, minerals, and the like. That’s not
what we want to be true, but in fact it’s easy
literature doctors read today in top-of-the-line
taught in medical school, and as we know there
to manipulate results and arrive at conclusions
medical journals has been declared fraudu-
are so many other lifestyle choices that impact
you hope for, especially if there is money on
lent. Research is a big part of that misleading
a person’s health.”
the line.
process as being objective, rigorous, and even ruthless in separating out what is true from
science because of the way it’s conducted
In the last few years especially, we have
So what can we believe when we want to
and calculated. “Studies underwritten by
seen a lot of misinformation come to light. Even
know what’s best for our health, especially as
pharmaceutical companies tend to report data
doctors admit that you can go to five different
we age?
based on relative rather than absolute risk. It’s
doctors and get five different opinions. There
“You can look at all of the studies that
a difficult concept to understand. But when you
are so many variables when it comes to health.
celebrate healthy lifestyles without promoting
are talking about relative risk, it is really only a fraction of what really occurs.”
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antibiotics,” said Dr. Sinatra.
“For years and years, we doctors believed
products. These studies take into account the
that cholesterol was the villain in heart disease
choices people make in terms of their well-be-
“Doctors learn by trial and error,” he
until the Framingham Heart Study proved
ing, with no profit margin coercion influencing
continued. “They go to medical school, take
otherwise. When I was a young cardiology
their findings. From unbiased research, ongo-
an internship, do a residency and maybe a
doctor, I participated in this decades long study
ing clinical studies and anecdotal observations,
fellowship, all the while training and observing
by sharing data. I remember towards the end
we know that we can improve our health by
and experiencing the real life-and-death issues
of the study, doctors, who had preached that
changing our habits and lifestyles, including
doctors face every day. The more training you
cholesterol was the enemy, were surprised to
eating organic foods, exercising every day
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
and avoiding harmful toxins in our diet and environment. In many cases, we can even reverse diseases naturally, without turning to prescribed medicines. People who have discovered the secret sauce to a healthier life have also added grounding to their daily routine,” said Dr. Sinatra. “In my fifty years of practicing medicine, I believe the greatest health discovery I’ve ever made is grounding.” Grounding, the simple act of connecting to the freely abundant, nourishing energy of the Earth’s surface, skin to soil, has been scientifically and medically proven through numerous studies to have significant positive effects on our physiology. It helps to restore
Photo by Cleo Stracuzza
energy, heighten feel good endorphins, improve circulation, calm heart rates, alleviate stress, and help assure a better night’s sleep, returning the body to a naturally balanced state of homeostasis the way nature intended. It also reduces inflammation – the culprit
behind rising health problems today, including
Similarly because of the warm climates of the
heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, high blood
Blue Zones, people are enjoying the outside
pressure, chronic pain and even cancer. The
all year round and doing a lot of swimming,
Earth’s surface keeps our bodies in balance
hiking and walking, common activities these
through a constant exchange of electrons and
communities share. They are also great ways
electric vibrations that literally recharge us with
to get grounded if you are barefoot or wearing
positive healing energy. That’s the essence of
natural leather footwear.
grounding and you can do it while you are
Researchers who have studied the lon-
out walking, swimming, gardening or doing
ger-life phenomena of the Blue Zones attribute
anything that puts your body in direct contact
their longevity to their down to Earth lifestyle
with the earth.
practices. Dr. Sinatra believes that grounding
Take a look at the health revelations of
Photo by Kevin Wolf
has a lot to do with it.
people who live in the so-called Blue Zones,
“Grounding is the antidote for millions of
the places where longevity and centenarians
people. And it's free. Unbelievable. I can't get
rule. The Blue Zones are areas of the world
over it myself. I believe in this 100%. Grounding
where people live 100 years or more, with less
is the greatest free thing you can do for your
stress, more connections and fewer incidents of
body. And it's the greatest kept secret. Only
dementia and disease. These regions include
a small part of the population knows about
the Mediterranean, the Greek Island of Ikaria,
this. Once the public realizes that this is free,
Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Costa Rica’s
and it is healing, especially in this enormous
Nicola Peninsula and Loma Linda in California.
inflammatory time we live in, it will have an
Common lifestyle factors among the residents
incredible effect. If you ask me, it's the best
include natural physical activity, like walking or
healing modality I have come across in my 50
hiking, and gardening, often growing their own
years of practicing medicine. The breadth of
fruits and vegetables in keeping with a fresh
validation from trustworthy data and real-life
seasonal diet.
testimonials is absolutely enormous.”
Research shows that gardening can boost
As Hippocrates said, “Nature itself is the
your mood and well-being while also providing
best physician.” And with centuries-long evi-
a physical activity that’s rewarding and produc-
dence to support that heralded dogma, that
tive. Gardening is also one of the best ways
is one piece of medical wisdom that you can
to tap into the restorative powers of the Earth.
count on. ☐ CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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2022 GLOBAL WELLNESS TRENDS OUR WONDERFUL FUTURE
LIQUIDROOM, Melbourne, Australia
WELL-BEING
BY JUDY CHAPMAN
L
ike many others around the globe, I returned home at the start of 2020 to
Each year the GWS releases its annual well-
take comfort in a place that felt clean,
ness trends forecast based on the insights of
Ellis, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO. Here’s a look at several of the wellness trends featured in this year’s report…
healthy, and safe. My family home happens to
hundreds of global executives of wellness
A New Dirt-y Wellness - The health of the
be in Byron Bay, Australia, a beautiful region
companies, economists, doctors, investors,
world’s soil—and the impact of soil exposure
renowned for being at the frontier of many
academics, and technologists.
wellness movements; organic food co-ops,
What makes this year’s 110-page report
regenerative farming, off-the-grid homes and
particularly inspiring is the global shift
retreats, and most significantly, a community
towards wellness, sustainability, naturalism
dedicated to sustainability and self-reliance
and self-reliance!
when it comes to personal and planetary wellbeing.
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Summit (GWS).
“One thing that this forecast makes clear
on human health—become far more important. Think: “soil-bathing” - Beth McGroarty - VIP research, GWS. “Human,” derived from the Latin word “humus,” meaning rich, living soil. Did you know that Soil is our planet’s
is that the future of wellness will be anything
most extraordinary ecosystem? One handful contains 50 billion life forms and for millions
This brings me to the wellness trends high-
but a ‘restart’ of 2019. What consumers now
lighted in the 2022 Global Wellness Trends
need most, what they perceive as ‘true well-
of years, the microbial stew that is living soil
Report produced by the Global Wellness
ness,’ has profoundly changed” , says Susie
did its job: from cycling nutrients to plants
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
to capturing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon.
blood.
evident in the global growth of outdoor survival
Most of us are aware of how industrial
That said, we must act fast to restore the
schools, foraging, homegrown produce, and
soil if we want to be able to feed the world,
agricultural methods have quickly decimated
TikTok #ecohacks. And it’s a trend that’s very
fight climate change, and protect human
much in line with the larger shifts towards
the world’s soil microbiome: one-third of all
health. That isn’t some “trend” it’s our very
back-to-basics wellness. Just as wellness is
farmlands is intensely degraded to the extent
future.
returning to the fundamentals, Next-Gen Natu-
Next-Gen Naturalism -
cation of one’s life and consumption, placing
that we are now living in what is known as a ‘soil crisis’. We are soil-deprived and no longer bathing in all that bacterial and fungal richness.
‘The return of self-reliance’
ralism requires a Marie Kondo-esque simplifia refreshing focus on the natural world and
Mounting research indicates that the
Written by Skyler Hubler and Cecelia Girr, ‘Next
soil and human microbiomes are anciently
Gen Naturalisim’ is one of the most inspiring
ness that forces us to rethink how we use
connected, and that soil exposure has an
trends for 2022.
our natural resources, how we source our
impact on everything from food to mental health and our immune system.
For decades, the concept of progress has
food, and ultimately—how we prepare for a
been praising automation, rewarding the busi-
shaky future. Because in unpredictable times, preparedness equals peace of mind.’’
However, the good news is there are many
nesses who deliver convenience on-demand,
trends emerging to get people back to some
and admiring nature from a safe distance—
soil bathing.
glorifying it without respecting it. However,
There’s an unprecedented greening of the
according to this trend, the looming threat of
urban landscape and at wellness resorts, the
global upheaval is forcing us to change our
farm—and increasingly the regenerative farm—
ways. As we collectively reckon with the fragil-
is becoming as important as spa and fitness.
ity of our planet and the instability of our food
Think: soil-to-guest, beyond farm-to-table.
supply chains, we’ll see a long-overdue return
New regenerative agriculture (techniques that restore soil’s biodiversity) is the hottest topic in farming and will now become a hot topic in wellness. “Regen,” or “soil-certified,” will be the next food label, because it’s far more meaningful than “organic”, not only for its huge environmental impact but because soil health is the true lens into food’s nutritional value. In wellness real estate, regen-agrihoods are a real trend to watch. There’s also an incredible research boom in decoding the soil microbiome and unriddling how it impacts human health (through what we eat, through exposure). There are
ancient practices. It’s a no-frills kind of well-
to self-reliance. After years of unlearning ancient skills— from how to start a fire to how to grow our own food—we’re finally getting our hands dirty again and taking pride in DIY projects. This shift is called Next-Gen Naturalism. Next-Gen Naturalism challenges us to turn old practices into proactive solutions. By learning how to work with nature, rather than against it, we can get back to the timeless skills that once kept us alive. This self-sufficiency boom is already Resorts World Sauna Aufguss
Wellness Travel: Seekers, Welcome
Post-pandemic travelers are ready for adventure and engagement
As an avid wellness seeker for the last two decades, I resonated with ‘Wellness Travel, Seekers, Welcome’ trend presented by Elaine Glusac, a New York Times journalist and freelance writer. ‘Intention is the future of travel this year,’ says Glusac. ‘Social indicators such as the “great resignation,” record retirements and global nomadism reveal profound commitments to work/life balance and personal growth and happiness.’ Gluscac explains the travel industry is rolling out the welcome mat for intentional travelers. These new experiences world tap into a sense of purpose, a desire to grow creatively and intellectually and flourish in
engineering interventions that help the soil
new environments. From underwater breath-
thrive, so that we thrive. The future will be as
work in the Caribbean to exploring trauma
intuitive as it is high-tech.
while hiking the Canadian Rockies, the travel
Wellness businesses are getting people
industry is seeking to satisfy our thirsts for
back to the soil in so many simple ways;
intellectual, spiritual and physical experi-
whether gardening, farming, foraging, or
ences. Just some of these include:
forest bathing. A recent Finnish research created ‘forest floor’ playgrounds daycare centers and in just a month the children showed significantly increased T-Cells and other important immune markers in their
Exploring ancient wisdom
From camping in a Sami lavvu or teepee in
northern Sweden to learning Haida weaving and language in Haida Gwaii, Canada, indigCONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
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Connecting with community After years of social distancing, travel operators aim to satisfy our social cravings with rich community-based tourism offerings. For example, Noble House Hotels & Resorts has partnered with a technology firm to create a platform where guests will find area recommendations and tours to encourage local spending. Says Glusac, as the industry recovers from the crippling pandemic, travel offers a myriad of ways for intentional travelers to fulfill their personal missions. In 2022, it’s clear that future trips will provide an opportunity for travelers to reclaim their lives, improve their health, and discover their purpose.
OTHER 2022 WELLNESS TRENDS… 'MARRDJA BOARDWALK' Tourism and Events, Queensland, Australia
Senior Living -Disrupted
A wrinkle in time no more!
According to leading aging experts, 90 will be the new 40 within a decade. The exponen-
enous experiences are growing as travelers seek out the original locals and native popu-
Whether it’s ocean surfing as therapy in
lations reclaim their homelands.
Mexico or raising and releasing monarch
Learning to grow your own food
butterflies at the Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas, adventures are increasingly positioned
During the pandemic, as global awareness
as wellness quests. An example is Native Like
of climate change and sustainability grew,
Water runs “coastal distancing” retreats in
many resorts vowed to source more locally,
Mexico focused on surf therapy and healthy
including from their own grounds. Resorts are
eating to address depression, post-traumatic
increasingly offering guest activities themed
stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma.
around foraging, beekeeping and regenerative practices.
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Healing through nature
engaged with personal growth into old age. In this trend, Laura Powell examines new models for intergenerational living environments that can set the stage for reducing age segregation, while increasing social connections, decreasing loneliness, and resulting in better health and wellbeing outcomes for all residents.
Emotional healing journeys
The devastation of the pandemic has also elevated emotional healing programs. At
Lifelong learners who want to make a differ-
Miraval Resorts & Spas a new grief and loss
ence can now participate in citizen-science
program nurtures guests through major life
programs. There are expeditions allow-
transitions, while San Diego’s California
ing passengers to contribute to work being
Golden Door has seen a boom in post-Covid
carried out by scientists in Antarctica. An
recovery demand.
example is Quasar Expeditions’ where the
Says Nicole Hernandez, who works as
18-guest yacht Conservation will engage
The Traveling Hypnotist, offering hypnotism
scientists and passengers in archipelago
sessions at Four Seasons resorts in New York
research, monitoring the impacts of intro-
City and beyond. “The pandemic showed us
duced species and tourism.
what really matters and realigned our values.”
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
tial jump in longevity means that people are retiring later and focusing on being active and
BILLY TEA SAFARIS' - Tourism and Events, Queensland, Australia
Healthier, more youthful, and more active
ity and augmented reality to merged reality
than their cohorts in previous generations, this
and haptics, the coming wellness metaverse
incoming senior class doesn’t “feel old” and
will create vast opportunities for each sector
doesn’t want to be defined by age, nor socially
of the $4.4 trillion global wellness economy.
segregated by it. That’s why today’s age-seg-
More about the 2022 Global Wellness Trends Report
regated models of senior living communities are no longer cutting it with a new generation that doesn’t believe in the concept of being put out to pasture upon retirement.
Every year, The Global Wellness Summit (GWS)
Urban Bathhouses & Wellness Playgrounds
releases an annual wellness trends report that illustrates the new directions in wellness around the world. This year's 110-page report
A˜ordable wellness is coming to a city near you
goes in-depth on the major shifts ahead in nutrition, wellness travel, wellness real estate,
Whether it’s new or renovated bathhouses
women’s health, men’s wellness, healthcare,
featuring hydrothermal bathing (saunas,
MEA REGENERATIVE COMMUNITY (Modern Elder Academy)' located in Baja, California Sur, Mexico
steam rooms and pools), large-scale wellness water resorts or public parks, cities around the globe are suddenly making the pursuit of wellness accessible, affordable and inclusive. Sauna bathing (and communal sweating) is becoming more popular and playful. New public playgrounds that merge nature and art with wellness are also transforming cityscapes—with new manmade beachfronts, scenic boardwalks, pop-up wellness classes, and even water sports becoming available in very unexpected places: like New York, Paris, London, Sydney, Madrid, Tokyo, and more.
Health & Wellness Coaching Gets Certified Coaches trained in the art and science of motivating healthy changes have been the missing link in both healthcare and wellness
Even though the world spends $8.3 trillion a year on healthcare and $4.4 trillion on wellness, we can’t stem the tide of chronic diseases? Behavior change is the toughest nut, but the positive news is the certified health and wellness coach (HWC) is finally here. A certified HWC is trained in evidencebased, nuanced conversational techniques that get people developing the intrinsic motivation and confidence to hit realistic wellbeing goals. Unlike the 15 minutes doctors give you,
technology, sustainability and spas. ☐ Visit the website below for more information: www.globalwellnesssummit.com.
a certified HWC can spend around 50 minutes a week for at least 3 months. This trend explores how rigorous training and certification programs are now in place and how more insurance companies are covering. It looks at an avalanche of digital health companies plus change: resorts like Mexico’s Cartesiano are now incorporating HWC and Six Senses and Canyon Ranch are opening urban wellness centers for more “everyday” coaching. More doctors argue these coaches need to be central to all primary care - because behavior change comes from within.
Wellness Welcomes the Metaverse
Health & wellness are attractive to the Metaverse which needs to diversify beyond
gaming The metaverse is happening…it isn’t a
MEA REGENERATIVE COMMUNITY (Modern Elder Academy)' located in Baja, California Sur, Mexico
Judy Chapman is an International Spa Designer and consults for hotel, spa and wellness brands around the world including Menla Mountain Retreat in the USA. Judy
maybe. With wellness front and center in
also develops white label skincare products
consumer’s minds—and at the forefront of
for spas and individuals. She is the former
business and government strategies around the globe—the world is seeking new technologies that can far better engage and impact the health of many more people. From virtual real-
Editor-in-Chief of Spa Asia magazine and author of several books on wellness and spas. Judy is currently based in Byron Bay, Australia. www.judychapman.com.au
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“SPRING”
VENÜGRAM
SPRING Photography by Meriç Da°lı
“S˜°˛n˝ ad˙s ˆˇ w life and new beauty to all that is.” ˜ Jessica Harrelson ˜
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Margot Nimiroski
Memories of the Sea, acrylic on canvas, 72”x 72” 2021
@margotnimiroski
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