Ilana Shafir: Spontaneous Mosaics
Mosaic Garden and House.
Born in the city of Sarajevo in 1924, now the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ilana Shafir knew from an early age she was an artist, though her parents were less than enthusiastic. As Shafir remembers, "In those days to be an artist was not a proper career choice for a woman." Her studies at the High School for Architecture were disrupted by the Nazi invasion of 1941. Shafir and her family escaped to the small town of Kula, where they miraculously found protection. No one gave them up, not their neighbors, not the Italian nor even the German soldiers. Shafir painted while in hiding, using old book covers for canvases. She painted landscapes and villagers, and traded her paintings for food. Years later she discovered that both the Italian commander and the local priest had dedicated themselves to saving her family. She insists that "most people, if given the choice, would choose to be kind and humane."
Peacock.
Shafir continued her studies at the Art Academy in Zagreb, Croatia before emigrating in 1949, at the age of 25, to the coastal town of Ashkelon in Israel. She processed the incomprehensible Holocaust and the loss of her extended family with pen and ink, drawing portraits of arriving immigrants. When her sadness was exhausted, Shafir began to explore the beautiful physicality of her new country, both in watercolor and mosaics. The two media are an unlikely pairing. Shafir’s watercolors are ethereal creations of opulent gardens and fantastical creatures. She started with a mono print of abstract stains and drew over the field of colors independent of their abstract shapes until distinct images emerged and every spot of color was defined. It is an unforgiving process that allows no corrections. Shafir credits her years of working in watercolor with providing her the confidence she required to develop her intuitive method of working in mosaic.
Ilana Shafir’s Mosaic Garden (video)
After a lifetime of expressing herself in paintings, drawings and ceramics, Shafir has dedicated herself for the last 20 years to the creation of fine art and architectural mosaics. She works in a garden of ingredients: natural stone, translucent glass, handmade ceramic, rejected sculptures, cast off dishes donated by neighbors, broken tile, Italian smalti, and smooth Mediterranean seashells and pebbles. Buckets of materials litter her studio, sorted by provenance, a choice that acknowledges their intrinsic value of origin. Her method, which she calls "spontaneous mosaics," hinges on the respect paid to each individual element. Working without preconceived ideas, sketches or drawings, Shafir places an assorted palette of materials on her work surface. Then, she listens. She uses her eyes and ears and her finely tuned sense of the relationship between inanimate objects to allow a synergy to develop. She likens this moment, when two elements become "united and inseparable," to a mosaic "kiss," the recognition of a chemistry between two formerly unrelated objects. "I see it with my eyes, but mainly I feel their natural attraction to each other." Pieces are chosen, moved, added, rejected, and played with until she is satisfied with their dialogue. Only then are they glued in place. Following this methodology Shafir creates radically textured, brilliantly colored worlds, inhabited by a stunning life force.
Birds in Garden.
At 87, Shafir still travels the world teaching her spontaneous method, encouraging students to discover unexpected solutions. In October, the Association of International Mosaic Artists and the municipality of Ravenna, Italy will honor Shafir with a solo exhibition at the Biblioteca Classense. This is tantamount to ordaining her the matriarch of contemporary mosaic. The poet Yossi Gamzou said, "there are people with hearts of stone and there are stones with human hearts." Ilana Shafir has given heart to an ancient craft. In her powerful hands it has become a modern art.
Design Resource:
Shafir Art
Ravenna Mosaico Exhibition
Layla Grayce Living Room: Style Maker Look Book
Design and Shopping Resources for Layla Grayce Living Room Look Book
 Oly Studio Kirin Sofa – Layla Grayce |
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Candice Olson Modern Damask Pale Blue Wool Rug – Layla Grayce
About Layla Grayce
At Layla Grayce, we truly, madly, deeply care about design, about creating the perfectly decorated room that expresses your unique sense of self, and finding perfect items for gifts or everyday. These are things that can make a difference in the quality of our lives and those dear to us. We feel that beautiful surroundings bring harmony, balance and happiness to your home and life, and strive to showcase products that will achieve this philosophy. Beautiful surroundings that express your personal take on lifestyle shouldn’t be a luxury – it should be a necessity.
Layla Grayce is an inspiring shopper’s delight conceived by Wendy Rossiter Estes and Tiffany Grayce Harris, lifelong friends with a passion for business and design and a love for discovering unique items. Traveling through Europe after college, they were inspired by the antiques, art and furnishings of the countries they visited. Years passed as they started families and worked on their individual careers, designing homes and interiors for clients, friends and family along the way. Encouraged to share their talents and finds with others, they created Layla Grayce.
Together they have selected a remarkable collection of items for home, women and children, carefully selecting every product, artisan and manufacturer to ensure their business philosophies and craftsmanship are worthy of your home and lifestyle. Never mainstream but always functional, Layla Grayce products are designed for longevity – everyday heirlooms that can be passed on to future generations. For everyone dedicated to creating an inspired haven that reflects a stylish, creative take on lifestyle, we bring you Layla Grayce.
About Wendy Rossiter Estes
Wendy brings the most "mom" experience to Layla Grayce. A mother to four children, including twin two-year old girls she understands the needs of busy working moms. With a family of young product testers on hand, she helps us to select the best items for babies and children. Balancing a career and a family life has always been essential to Wendy, and Layla Grayce has allowed her the freedom to be her own boss. Years spent in commercial real estate leasing and negotiation on behalf of well-known national retailers and developers honed her analytical and organizational skills. These were essential when assisting Tiffany with design projects later, and together they share a passion for textiles and compelling design. Her enthusiasm for discovering new artisans for Layla Grayce is infectious. Wendy brings business savvy, her marketing aptitude and the phenomenal juggling ability of a successful working mom to Layla Grayce.
About Tiffany Grayce Harris
Tiffany is our resident design buff with degrees and education as an interior designer, certified color consultant and a current ASID member (American Society of Interior Designers). She has worked at Sundance Resort designing and updating cottages, and has been the in-house designer for a large construction company, working on both commercial projects and distinguished private residences. Her success has earned her numerous awards and recognition for interior decorating. Tiffany reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is recently married. With her love and knowledge of all types of design and decor, Tiffany is often found assisting customers with decorating suggestions and purchases, as well as training the exceptional Layla Grayce staff in the essentials of great design.
Contact Details:
- Website: Layla Grayce
- Twitter: @LaylaGrayce
- Facebook: Layla Grayce on Facebook
- Blog: The Backroom
3 Decorative Art Gifts the Art Lover on Your List will Adore
Original and whimsical these decorative porcelain plates from Studio Klimenkoff’s “If they could talk…” collection can be found at Seattle-based {far4}.
“Ten” by artist Shelly Peacock. 
Tsunami Glassworks’ “Wisp” in Cerulean Blue.
Read More »Alejandro Vigilante: Artistic Intersection of Pop Culture & Internet Communication
“Art is communication, Internet is communication”
- Alejandro Vigilante, Founder, i-Art Movement
Alejandro Vigilante, the Argentine-born, banker turned jet-setting artist, is the driving force behind an exciting and vibrant art movement called “i-Art” that melds iconic pop culture with the fast and ever-changing world of Internet communications.
Alejandro at work in his studio.
Renowned design author, and Alejandro’s partner, Saxon Henry describes his i-Art process:
In terms of [Alejandro’s] process, his paintings are acrylic on wood. He then transfers images onto the backgrounds in a technique for which Robert Rauschenberg was known. Many people think that because he’s inspired by the internet, it means he is just doing digital art. It’s far from it; his painterly hand definitely shows in his work and the transfer technique on top of the paint is an incredible tricky process that has taken him years to perfect.
Marlon Brando |
Jackie Kennedy Onassis |
How would you describe your artistic influences?
Alejandro: My father, who was an architect and a painter, inspired me to paint. Then, a teacher in art school who taught me sculpture and drawing cemented my philosophy. In terms of artists’ works I admire the most, I’d have to say Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg are my biggest influences.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid plan bank robberies via e-mail.
How has your art evolved throughout your career?
Alejandro: My first pieces were surrealist or metaphysical abstracts. From the late 1970s on, I’ve been moving toward more conceptual work, but my newest work is the most conceptual yet. Once I took the time to really look at what the progenitors of Pop Art were doing, I felt they’d paved the way for artists like myself to explore different aspects of pop culture, and it really appealed to me.
 Alejandro’s I-Art paintings in Miami Home. |
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Looking through your online photo archive I came across a photo of you on the ground on September 11th, 2001- flanked by law enforcement officials covered in the grey-white dust that has become synonymous with that tragic date. As an artist how did the events of September 11th, 2001 impact your artwork?
Alejandro: The day of September 11th was a turning point for me. It was then that I felt how precious life is for those of us who survived and I also saw how much communication has changed our lives. The world and the media were focused on that one section of Manhattan and there was such a massive amount of communication taking place during and after the attacks that I realized it was a rich concept to explore. That’s when my work took a turn toward the i-Art Movement and I’ve never looked back.
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Audrey Hepburn |
What are your favorite museums?
Alejandro: Hands down, it would have to be Museum of Modern Art in New York. I could spend days strolling through the galleries looking at the contemporary art—a retrospective of Jackson Pollack’s work that I saw there remains one of my favorites to this day. Seeing Pablo Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” at MoMA was almost a spiritual experience for me: one I’ll also never forget. I enjoy the Museo de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, as well, because they have one of the most well-rounded collections in Argentina.
Lady GaGa i-Art portrait – one of Alejandro’s most recent commissions.
Being an artist can be wonderful (pursuing a dream and creating) yet, difficult at times (operating a business). How do you find the balance and the inspiration to manage both aspects of being an artist in business?
Alejandro: I view my life as an artist very similarly to how I work when I’m mixing paint—there is a perfect proportion that just feels right when I’m combining colors and it’s like that with the push-pull of marketing versus creating. Of course, there’s never a perfect balance and the creative periods tend to come in waves. When I’m not working on a new series, I am connecting with my community on the internet—one of the strongest ways I promote my work. I’m also fortunate to have a good gallerist in Miami, Dmitry Prut of Avant Gallery, and I’m having my first major exhibition at Daniel Maman Gallery in Buenos Aires in late August.
Alejandro Vigilante on the Web:
- i-Art Movement
- Email Is My Art
- Alejandro Vigilante’s i-Art on Facebook
- Alejandro Vigilante on Twitter
All images copyright of respective owners.
Read More »The Soul-stirring, Mesmerizing Artwork of Ann Marshall
I attend many art shows, meet with a wonderful selection of talented artists, and have an inbox overflowing with requests by artists and artisans for review of their work. From all those exposures, some truly artistic gems surface that capture my heart, soul and imagination. Ann Marshall is one of those creative finds whose artwork holds a powerful grip on my creative spirit. I’m delighted to share a few of my favorite collages and paintings from Ann’s collection with you today.
In the artist’s own words, she describes the inspiration and creative drive behind her hauntingly beautiful art work.
Beige: This is actually a portrait of a math specialist who works at a private school in Manhattan. For this work I wanted to do something a little more dramatic composition wise (the subject was completely game) and was inspired by early Hollywood Glamour shots. At a certain point I became so frustrated with the work’s progress, I angrily turned it to the wall and went on to other projects. I finally came back to it a few weeks later and easily finished it in two days.
Sometimes you just have to be patient.
Garden: This was a commission by the beautiful Kristen Bronson (yes, she has all of those tattoos in real life). Kristen was a great client in that she trusts the artist to do what they will, but only asked that she be pictured with her little dog, Charlie. When I went for the shoot, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do but Kristen, who is a quilter, has a pile of red tulle sitting in her bedroom. I fashioned a makeshift ball gown type skirt and the whole piece flowed from there.
Lauren: Lauren came to my studio wearing a simple white dress. I hung a piece of blue satin behind her and borrowed a neighboring studio’s great antique chair. I tweaked the colors of her outfit to simplify the color scheme and went for a look that was classic and pleasantly languid. The tone in my work can vary greatly, but I evaluate the purpose of each piece and proceed accordingly. My fine art work can be a little more demented and moody, but with commissioned portraits I keep the purpose of the work in mind.
Sunshine and Molasses: Andrea’s simple outfit and striking looks made a graphic solution the best one. I found this great yellow paper and collaged the floor to add a little color. The solution is both classic and modern and the subject’s colorful personality shows through.
Olivia: If every piece could be as easy as Olivia was…I had just finished a project I really labored over (which frankly wasn’t so great) and Olivia was to be what I refer to as a “palette cleanser” piece –that is something quick just to do something quick to clear my head. I drew a picture of a curious little girl (she is no one in particular) and combined it with some great poppy patterned tissue paper I had bought months before, and the entire piece just popped immediately. Its one of the most popular things I’ve ever made.
About Ann Marshall
One can say that art was a passion for Ann since early childhood. She tells us, “I have been drawing as long as I can remember. As a child, my artistic inspiration came mostly from cartoons and animation, and I used to get up early on Saturday mornings, fix myself a bowl of Life cereal, and settle down to hours of cartoons with my tool box full of crayons and black felt tip pen”.
After art school, Ann illustrated children’s books for a bit until coming to the conclusion that illustrating children’s books wasn’t a good fit. She wanted to pursue another artistic direction, and started building her portfolio, while at the same time maintaining a pragmatic view on how she was to fund her artistic dreams, Ann explains, “ I had a very tiny apartment and lived modestly. Meanwhile, to pay the bills I started traveling around the country (and sometimes outside) for a consumer research firm conducting on site studies of retail environments. This experience was invaluable, not so much for the exposure to consumer America (I grew disenchanted with that world), but because of the extensive travel to all parts of our country–good and bad.” Ann has invaluable advice for artists of all ages, and one that may also apply to all career fields- definitely a resource to be bookmarked and referred to often.
As her portfolio grew, so did a following for her work, “I began to exhibit here and there and take on commissioned projects. I eventually had a small show at the Gallery at Lincoln Center ” she shares. Her experience at the Lincoln Center exhibit proved pivotal, as Ann confides ”[the] experience proved so professionally rewarding, I felt like I had finally found my calling.”
Ann goes on to say, “with my current work, I try to combine contemporary and traditional means of working to produce work that is both compelling and relevant to the viewer. Otherwise, I live modestly with my boyfriend and our two cats and make art, ride my bike, and enjoy everything my beautiful city has to offer.”
Ann will have her artwork on exhibit (part of a group exhibition) at the London Miles Gallery from November 12th to December 6th 2010- details below:
Exhibition Title: The Idol Hours
Address:
Westborne Studios
242 Acklam Road, Studio 303
W10 5JJ U.K.
(44) 020 317 08618
CONTACT
Read More »Hugo Franca – R 20th Century Gallery
One of my favorite artists/designers/visionaries, Hugo Franca, has a few beautiful pieces at R 20th Century gallery. I’ve picked some of my favorites from the exhibit to share.
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"Zanta" bench in pequi wood. Designed and made by Hugo Franca, Brazil, 2010. 94.5" W x 36.5" H x 47" D |
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Decorating Resource: R 20th Century Gallery
Read More »Glass Sculpture: Jamie Harris Studio, LLC
Playful, interesting and colorful blown glass orbs from the Mod collection adorn the Jamie Harris Studio booth at the 2010 International Contemporary Furniture Fair.
Decorating Resource : Jamie Harris Studio
Eleanor Moreton
While attending the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) Art Fair at the renowned Deauville hotel in Miami Beach last December, I found myself mesmerized by three paintings created by artist, Eleanor Moreton – one of four artists in the exhibit “Four Women” curated by Jack Hanley Gallery – and wanted to learn more about her and her artwork.
The artist, Eleanor Moreton, commenting on the painted queens series, “I’ve done lots of queen paintings. They are also a site for a similar struggle where I want to break through. I want to make paintings of women where they are actually shouting. The queen paintings are not always queens, they are all sorts of women and making them break through and make some impact is hard; it doesn’t go with my character to do that. I have a tendency to want to keep faces out of paintings and I used a modernist device, the mask, to do what masks are for, which is to make an impact, to speak. Perhaps we need a mask in order to speak out. ” – from Eleanor’s interview with Articulated Artists.
Painting: Bet/h I with Crown, 24 x 30 cms, Oil on canvas (2009)
According to Jack Hanley Gallery, ”…Eleanor Moretonʼs paintings call into question the relationship of authoritative women and symbolic masculine attire. She seamlessly glosses together polemic historical images to create new potentials.”
Art and Design critic, Robert Clark of The Guardian has said of Eleanor’s artwork, “Eleanor Moreton’s paintings verge so dangerously on being downright bad, I suspect they might be very good indeed.”
Painting: Bet/h I, III, 24 x 30 cms, Oil on canvas (2009)
CommentArt.com excavates the superficial, visual aspects of Eleanor’s artwork to find the underlying essence, “There are a number of themes which run through Eleanor Moreton’s work. These themes reflect her interest in psychoanalysis and gender, in history and literature. What links them is a commitment to the imaginary, the fictional and a preoccupation with the way the images of the imagination become paintings.”
Resources:
- Eleanor Moreton
- Jack Hanley Gallery
- CommentArt.com
- ”Exhibition preview: Eleanor Moreton, Sunderland”, Robert Clark, The Guardian, Oct 11, 2008
- “Eleanor Moreton Talks to Articulated”, Articulated Artists, May 21, 2009
Photo Credits: The Decorating Diva, LLC
Mattia Bonetti
Mattia Bonetti exhibit for Paul Kasmin Gallery at Design Miami 2009
Blue and Gold Bonetti Armchair (2009) in patinated bronze, wood, and upholstered in hide. |
 “Alu”chair (2009) in lacquered aluminum, and upholstery with appliqué. |
Bonetti ”Meander” coffee table (2009) in patinated bronze and clear acrylic top.
 “Quasimodo” cabinet, (2009) in patinated resin, tinted wood, and patinated wrought-iron. |
 “Frequency” cabinet, 2009 in clear acrylic and gold-plated brass. |
 “Necklace” console table (2009) in polished stainless steel and black nickel-plated brass. |
 “Necklace” side table (2009) in polished stainless steel and black nickel-plated brass. |
“Cards” commode, 2009 in polished stainless steel, colored acrylic, and wood.
About Mattia Bonetti
Born in Lugano, Switzerland in 1977 and based in Paris since 1973, Mattia Bonetti is a multi-faceted designer and artist who has to his credit various high profile design projects from: interior design to product packaging to graphic design to furniture design.
Mattia emerged on the design scene in 1977 with his much acclaimed interior design work at the prestigious Parisian night club, Le Palace. In 1987, Christian Lacroix tapped Bonetti to design the interior of the house of Lacroix, as well as, the Lacroix brand logo. After the design projects for Christian Lacroix, Mattia went on to design the interiors of castles belonging to the European jet set of the day, the Turn and Taxis’ and for the Picasso family-owned Chateau de Boiseloup. in 1991, Mattia Bonetti was honored with the prestigous “French Prize for Designer of the Year”.
Fans of Nina Ricci cosmetics and skin care may not know this, but Mattia was the creative visionary behind the cosmetic houses’ packaging design in the nineties. His product packaging for the Ricci “Le Teint Ricci” garnered him the coveted “Oscar de L”Emballage” in 1992.
Mattia’s embarkation into furniture design can best be described as the fusion of art and design. His whimsical, sculptural furniture pieces are best described as functional art as can be noted from any one of the pieces we saw on exhibit at Design Miami (photos above). Of course, Bonetti’s genius to create art that functions as design, and design that functions as art, comes with a price tag best fitting a well-financed art collector; the Frequency cabinet is available for $110,000 – only eight editions will be created.
Gallery Information: Paul Kasmin Gallery
Read More »Maarten Baas
German-born, Dutch bred design prodigy, Maarten Baas, has captured the attention of the design world with his boundary-less approach to design – refusing to accept a clear and distinct demarcation between what is art and what is design. The multi-award winning Baas,the most recent design honor bestowed upon him was “Designer of the Year at Design Miami 2009”, believes that the long-held design maxim “form follows function” is outdated and should be relegated to design memory.
Acting as a design iconoclast isn’t a goal he has set for himself, all Baas wants, is to free design from artificially imposed boundaries. Telling “Design Miami” that the only boundaries that can be placed upon design are those imposed equally upon all living creatures: “Every day there are only 24 hours in which that day has to happen”.(Source: Design Miami)
Maarten Baas commission piece (exterior view) for Design Miami 2009.
Interior view of Maarten Baas designed wardrobe commissioned for Design Miami 2009.
Baas the Early Years
Maarten’s fresh and bold approach to design has not gone unnoticed. At the young age of 18, while studying at the prestigious Design Academy Eindhoven, Bass designed the “Knuckle” candleholder. The “Knuckle” was quickly recognized as outstanding design, and was sent into production. Baas’,earliest and most industry-reverberating recognition came at the age of 24 with his “Smoke” series. The “Smoke” collection of furniture and decor is composed of several pieces that have been charred,and then sealed in a clear epoxy coating.
In 2004, his “Smoke” chandelier was exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, his “Smoke” chair was on display at the “Nest” exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum, and at Moss Galleries where Baas’ international acclaim was sealed. At the Moss exhibit of “Where There’s Smoke…”, Baas, “without fear or reserve, torched the classical designs of Gaudi, Eames, Rietveld, Sottsass and the Campana Brothers among many others.”(Source: Maarten Baas) His fearless approach, gained the attention of the Groninger Museum. They decided to turn over some of their most obscure collections of antique furniture over to Baas. Much like the mythical Phoenix that raises from the burning ashes, these long forgotten antique furniture pieces where raised from the ashes of obscurity and onto a splendid rebirth, at the hands of Baas.
The Baroque armchair reproduction from MOOOI (photo on left) for the Maarten Baas “Where There’s Smoke…” collection. The design for the chair from the “Where There’s Smoke…” collection (right) is inspired by Gerrit T. Rietveld’s Zig Zag chair.
Some of the “Smoke” furniture pieces are reproductions of famous mid-century modern pieces produced by Marcel Wander’s design company MOOOI. Other “Where There’s Smoke…” collection pieces are in the private collections of Philippe Starck, Craig Robins and Lidewij Edelkoort.
The Emergence of Studio Baas & den Herder
Maarten Baas’ continuous battle with artificial boundaries set upon design gained strength with the establishment of Holland based Studio Baas & den Herder. With the assistance of Bas den Herder and a team of ten assistants, Baas was able to increase the production quantity of his unique handcrafted works.
Never losing sight of his design ethic, Baas conceives the idea and then works in close collaboration with his team to birth and nurture the idea from inspiration to conception to production. This tightly woven collaborative sense of design community enables Baas to meet the unending demand to create unique commissions for hotels, museums, private collections, galleries and other establishments.
Baas furniture collections from left to right: Clay chair, The Chankley Bore, Plastic Chair in Wood, Sculpt Dining Chair, and Hey, Chair be a Bookshelf. The “Hey, Chair be a Bookshelf” is a composition of various furniture pieces which have been collected from second hand stores and then assembled into one piece creating a new life and function for each piece. (Design Miami 2009)
In 2005, Baas’ designs for “Smoke”, “Sculpt” and “Treasure” were an integral design component for the Ian Schrager led redesign of the Gramercy Park Hotel. Maarten’s handmade pieces can be found in the rooms, and his “Smoke” billiard table and “Sculpt” furniture pieces are on display in the Gramercy’s lobby.
Yellow Dining Chair (Left) from the “Treasure Furniture” collection. The “Treasure Furniture” collection utilizes furniture factory scrap and waste to give life to a new piece of furniture.
Setting Design Free
At Design Miami 2009, Maarten Baas, “Designer of the Year”, was asked the following question:“‘Does design imply the idea of products that are necessarily useful?” His answer provides tremendous insight into his creations:
“ That comes back to the definition of design. To make it easy you could say: once it’s for use, it’s design. But even that is not a definition which covers all situations.
What would happen if you would use a Mondrian painting as a serving tray, or you hang a serving tray on a wall, and never use it? You can discuss for hours about it…” (Source: Design Miami).
Indeed, what happens when we no longer accept our preconceived notions and are open to a design world that doesn’t dictate that which is appropriate and that which is taboo?
Sources for this article.
- Maarten Baas Website
- Design Miami Interview with Maarten Baas, “Questions excerpted from an interview with Charles Eames in conjunction with the 1969 Musee des Arts Decoratifs exhibition ‘Qu’est-ce Que Le Design?’”
