LUAR WORLD的动态

My latest article reviewing two excellent Alaia exhibitions is now live!

Did you know that I used to work at Twentieth Century Fox Films, in London? I worked in the European Marketing Office (for two years, back in the 1990s!) and while I was there, we launched the biggest grossing film of all time (at that time) - Titanic, which was the first film to earn more than $1bn globally at the box office. The job was as glamorous as it sounds: we went to premieres with stars and royals, watched new Fox releases during the day, and we'd talk about films all day long. As an avid movie goer, it really was my dream job! One of the best things was watching all the new films before they came out, because all of the distributors would swap new releases on Wednesday nights for staff screenings (and they were actual films, back then, in canisters, that got transported around Soho by couriers. So much has changed in terms of technology and how people consume content.) I've started watching weekly movies again - I'm having a movie afternoon on Sundays - and last weekend I watched "Mrs Harris goes to Paris"... Have you seen it? It was so enjoyable on several levels: as well as being transported to the city of light, and swept away by high fashion, I had a lightbulb moment about how architecture is like the House of Dior. Stay with me here! In 1957, Christian Dior's already iconic haute couture brand was struggling to survive. There weren't enough clients to support the hugely labour intensive business model. Then along comes Mrs Harris - a cleaning lady from London - with a literal bag of cash to spend on a one-off dress. (Who wouldn't love a few more Mrs Harris clients?!). In her week at the atelier, she realised what the house needed and pushed the accountant to step forward with his big idea to save the business: introduce ready-to-wear. (Yes, I'm aware that this is a movie, and I've fully suspended my disbelief!) It turns out that Dior did introduce pret-a-porter (aka ready-to-wear) in 1967, and today the brand continues to offer both: ??the super-luxury, reserved for a few custom offering, and ??the slightly more affordable off-the-shelf offering. The "high" offering informs the "low" offering, and drives the demand for the more accessible product. That's what architecture needs to do, to remain relevant AND address some of society's greatest challenges (climate emergency; housing crisis; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging). This transformation won't be easy, but it will be worthwhile. Are you ready to make the switch from haute couture only, to haute couture AND pret-a-porter? #mrsharrisgoestoparis #movieinspiration #affordablearchitecture #architectureisforeveryone #architecture #architects https://lnkd.in/gRWUnhE2

THE ARTIST SKETCHES: This preparatory sketch entitled“DEDICATION BIRTHS TRUE TRANSFORMATION” depicts how genuine commitment to purpose is rooted in a deep understanding of the essence of sacrifice. As illustrated by the figures enclosed within meticulously crafted prisms and adorned with carefully chosen words, dedication is remaining rooted to your purpose and assignment, even in the face of formidable circumstances…(Read Entire Synopsis, 3 Minutes)

THE ARTIST SKETCHES: This preparatory sketch entitled“DEDICATION BIRTHS TRUE TRANSFORMATION” depicts how genuine commitment to purpose is rooted in a deep understanding of the essence of sacrifice. As illustrated by the figures enclosed within meticulously crafted prisms and adorned with carefully chosen words, dedication is remaining rooted to your purpose and assignment, even in the face of formidable circumstances…(Read Entire Synopsis, 3 Minutes)

The bronze statue of Perseus with the head of Medusa, which you can still find in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria, is a unique sculptural achievement, which the artist Benvenuto Cellini completed in Florence between 1545 and 1554. ? The statue of course has plenty of political references and contemporary allusions, which I won’t examine here, but more than its public iconography what made the piece so relevant is the epic of its forging, as heroically narrated in Cellini’s own Autobiography. ? The artist’s #storytelling, describing his monumental effort to complete the work, added a new value to his own gesture, shifting the act of making from an artisanal to a critical dimension and reconfiguring #authorship from anonymous work (statues were not signed) into a key component of the artwork’s meaning. For the first time with Perseus (in parallel with Vasari’s lives of artists, published over the same years), #art acquires its value from the discourse that surrounds it—whether a critical appraisal or narration. From that moment onward, making becomes inseparable from #mythmaking. ? If we apply this logic applies to #brands, and in particular to Italian #manufacturing and #branding, the making of products is similarly inextricable from the making of their aura. Mythmaking is the quintessential value of many Italian products, giving them “delight” or “incanto” (in Riccardo Illy’s words). Think of Ferrari without legend, of Ferrero without the glow of Nutella, of Armani without glamor... Designing a product is parallel to designing its #meaning. Designing a #story is designing the product’s ultimate #value. ? More on the relationship between #storytelling #advertising and #design in the Italian milieu at ?? https://lnkd.in/e-4atiZk #italianinnovators

Vintage Glamour: Rare Pair of Old European Diamonds ?? It took years to find this extraordinary pair of 10-carat each Old European cut diamonds, each one a treasure in its own right. Their unique charm and timeless elegance make them a true find for those who appreciate the allure of years ago. DM for more details. #VintageSparkle #TimelessElegance #OldEuropeanDiamonds"

Black Business Month.......let's discuss with?Ovico Gallery and Korede House. #art?#fineart?#contemporaryart?#africanart?#africancontemporaryart?#staugustine?#stlouis?#stlouisevents?#thingstodoinstl?#stlevents?#visitstlouis?#blackbusiness?#blackbusinessmonth?#blackbusiness?#buyblack?#blackownedbusiness

News from Art Basel! The leading fair is in full swing, and media outlets are vying for the first sales figures. Meanwhile, Vogue Business raises an intriguing question: Are art fairs the next hub for lifestyle retail? In a bold move, Art Basel is launching the Art Basel Shop, spearheaded by Sarah Andelman from Colette. Visitors can explore merchandise and The Artist Collection, a series of home goods in collaboration with American artist Christina Sun Kim. Additionally, limited-edition prints?are available, including David Shrigley's "Criminal Reading" and Caran d’Ache x Keith Haring pens. Art Basel's pricing strategy is a testament to its commitment to accessibility. There's something for every budget from 3 Swiss francs ($3.35) for stickers to 5,500 Swiss francs ($6,135) for Josh Sperling's puzzle from the Perrotin gallery. For instance, sweatshirts start at 135 Swiss francs ($150), and plates by artist Carrie Mae Weems are priced at 280 Swiss francs ($312). Shopping at the Art Basel Shop is not just about buying products. It's a unique and engaging experience that you don't want to miss. #ArtBasel #ArtBaselShop #LifestyleRetail #ArtFair #ArtMarket #Creativity #Innovation

Is Art Week the new Fashion Week? Perhaps... ?? Here are some of the things I kept thinking about after running that art-filled, brand-forward marathon called Art Basel: Why are fashion house events turning into the week's hottest tickets? Are our tote bags quickly turning us into walking billboards? Should we let fashion brands positively resignify terms like vanity, when they commercially profit from such move? Are brands turning into galleries, while galleries turn into museums? More thoughts: https://lnkd.in/eYS2naEr