14.11.09

TOMB OF TUTANKHAMUN SET FOR FIVE YEAR RENOVATION PROJECT


EGYPT'S FAMOUS TOMB OF TUTANKHAMUN WILL UNDERGO A FIVE-YEAR PROJECT TO CLEAN AND RESTORE THE LAVISH WALL PAINTINGS IN THE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS OF THE BOY KING WHOSE GOLDEN MASK AND ARTIFACTS HAVE LONG AWED THE WORLD. THE PROJECT TO RESTORE THE COUNTRY'S MOST FAMOUS TOMB IS THE LATEST COLLABORATION BETWEEN EGYPT'S SUPREME COUNCIL OF ANTIQUITIES AND THE LOS ANGELES BASED GETTY CONSERVATION INSTITUTE, WHICH IN THE PAST RESTORED NEARBY TOMBS AND DESIGNED AIRTIGHT CASES TO DISPLAY EGYPT'S MUMMIES. SINCE THE SMALL, FOUR-ROOMED TOMB AND ITS FAMOUS GOLDEN BURIAL MASK WERE DISCOVERED IN 1922 BY BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGIST HOWARD CARTER, OBSERVERS HAVE NOTED STRANGE BROWN SPOTS MARRING THE WALL MARKINGS. "I ALWAYS SEE THE TOMB OF KING TUT AND WONDER ABOUT THOSE SPOTS, WHICH NO SCIENTIST HAS BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN", SAID JAHI HAWASS, THE HEAD OF THE SCA, IN A STATEMENT. "NOW I AM HAPPY THAT THE GETTY WILL LOOK AT THE TOMB AND PRESERVE ITS BEAUTIFUL SCENES", HE ADDED. THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS VISIT THE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS IN THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS EVERY MONTH, BRINGING HEAT AND HUMIDITY, WHICH DAMAGE THE MORE THAN 3,000 YEAR OLD TOMB. TUTANKHAMUN WASN'T EGYPT'S MOST POWERFUL OR IMPORTANT KING, BUT HIS STAGGERING TREASURES, RUMORS OF A MYSTERIOUS CURSE THAT PLAGUED CARTER AND HIS TEAM, DEBUNKED BY EXPERTS LONG AGO, AND SEVERAL BOOKS AND TV DOCUMENTARIES DEDICATED TO HIM HAVE ADDED TO THE INTRIGUE. ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN PRESENT YEARS HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE LINGERING QUESTIONS OVER HOW HE DIED AND HIS PRECISE ROYAL LINEAGE. IN 2005, SCIENTIST REMOVED TUT'S MUMMY FROM HIS TOMB AND PLACED IT INTO A PORTABLE CT SCAN FOR 15 MINUTES TO OBTAIN A THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGE. THE SCANS WERE THE FIRST EVER DONE ON AN EGYPTIAN MUMMY. THE RESULTS RULED OUT THAT TUT WAS VIOLENTLY MURDERED, BUT STOPPED SHORT OF DEFINITIVELY CONCLUDING HOW HE DIED AROUND 1323 BC. A RECENT HIGHLY PUBLICIZED GLOBAL TOUR OF TUTANKHAMUN'S ARTIFACTS DREW MORE THAN 4 MILLION PEOPLE DURING ITS INITIAL FOUR-CITY AMERICAN TOUR. THE CONSERVATION PLAN WILL INVOLVE A TWO-YEAR RESEARCH PERIOD TO DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF DETERIORATION, FOLLOWED BY THREE YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION. THE SCA SAID IT HAD YET TO DECIDE HOW LONG THE TOMB WOULD BE CLOSED DURING THAT TIME. THE GETTY CONSERVATION INSTITUTE WORKS TO ADVANCE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES FOR ART, PARTICULARLY ANCIENT SITES, AROUND THE WORLD.

SMITHSONIAN'S ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN ART PRESENTS SEASON'S GREETINGS: HOLIDAY CARDS



'SEASON'S GREETINGS: HOLIDAY CARDS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN ART' CELEBRATES THE PERSONAL STYLE AND SENTIMENT OF ARTISTS' HANDMADE HOLIDAY CARDS. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM 20.NOVEMBER THROUGH 10.JANUARY. 2010, IN THE LAWRENCE A FLEISCHMAN GALLERY AT THE SMITHSONIAN'S DONALD W REYNOLDS CENTER FOR AMERICAN ART AND PORTRAITURE. THE CARDS FEATURED IN THE EXHIBITION OFFER INSIGHT INTO HOW ARTISTS IMAGINED THE HOLIDAYS. GREETINGS OF THE SEASON AND WISHES FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR RANGE FROM PHILIP GUSTON'S WATERCOLOUR OF A COZY WINTER FIRE TO ERNEST BLUMENSCHEIN'S SILK SCREEN OF TAOS. WHIMSY AND HUMOR CAN BE FOUND IN DESIGNS BY WILLIAM GROPPER, WILLIAM T WILEY AND ALEXANDER CALDER. DAN FLAVIN, HANNE DARBOVEN AND KAY SAGE SENT QUIRKY GREETINGS IN THE FORM OF STICKERS, MICKEY MOUSE AND RUBBER BANDS. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARNOLD NEWMAN AND NICKOLAS MURY SNAPPED HOLIDAY CHEER WITH THEIR CAMERAS WHILE OTHER ARTISTS MAILED WEAVINGS, COLLAGES, PAINTINGS AND PRINTS. COLLECTIVELY THESE HOLIDAY CARDS CONFIRM THE IRREPRESSIBLE ARTISTRY OF THEIR SENDERS.

MOET & CHANDON UNVEILS LIMITED EDITION MOET CELEBRATION HOLIDAY SET


TO CELEBRATE THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON, MOET & CHANDON HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED A SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION MOET CELEBRATION, WHICH IS LIMITED TO JUST 500 STUNNING SETS. THE SET COMPRISES OF EIGHT INDIVIDUAL CRYSTAL CHAMPAGNE FLUTES AND A BOTTLE OF MOET & CHANDON IMPERIAL MAGNUM. EACH GLASS HAS IMPERIAL GOLDEN BUBBLES, MARKED INDIVIDUALLY WITH COLOURED SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL GEMS. THE DESIGNER SET WAS CREATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RENOWNED PARISIAN JEWELERS AND ENGRAVERS LA MAISON ARTHUS-BERTRAND.

ITALY OPENS FIRST NATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM


ITALY IS OPENING ITS FIRST NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE IN A BID TO SHED ITS IMAGE AS MERELY A KEEPER OF A GLORIOUS ARTISTIC PAST. THE $223 MILLION MAXXI CULTURAL CENTER OPENS 14.NOVEMBER, FOR A LIMITED WEEKEND RUN BEFORE ITS FULL-FLEDGED OPENING IN THE NEW YEAR. THE MUSEUM, LOCATED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA OF ROME, WAS DESIGNED BY ZAHA HADID, THE IRAQI-BORN ARCHITECT WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN THE PRESTIGIOUS PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE IN 2004. THE CULTURE MINISTRY DECIDED TO BUILD THE MUSEUM IN 1998, RECOGNIZING THAT THE COUNTRY THAT PRODUCED GIOTTO, MICHELANGELO AND BERNINI, THE AVANT-GARDE ARTISTS OF THEIR TIMES, MUST CONTINUE TO PROMOTE CONTEMPORARY CREATIVITY IF IT WANTS TO HAVE A CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE FUTURE. THE CENTER, OFFICIALLY CALLED THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE XXI CENTURY ARTS, IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF CUTTING EDGE ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS TO BE BUILT I THE ETERNAL CITY, WHICH IS BETTER KNOWN FOR ITS ROMAN RUINS, BAROQUE BASILICAS AND RENAISSANCE PALAZZI. RENZO PIANO'S AUDITORIUM OPENED IN 2002, GIVING ROME ITS FIRST MAJOR-LEAGUE CONCERT HALL. MORE RECENTLY AND CONTROVERSIALLY, RICHARD MEIER'S ARA PACIS MUSEUM, WHICH HOUSES A 2,000 YEAR-OLD ALTER, OPENED IN 2005. CRITICS COMPLAINED THE BOX-LIKE SHELL WAS A MODERN BLOT IN ROME'S HISTORIC CENTER. NO SUCH PROTESTS BEFELL HADID'S DESIGN, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF A FORMER MILITARY BARRACKS IN ROME'S FLAMINIO NEIGHBORHOOD, FAR FROM THE COBBLESTONED STREETS OF THE CENTER BUT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE REACHED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND NEAR THE NEW CONCERT HALL. HADID SAID SHE INTENDED THE SPACE TO BE AN 'URBAN CULTURAL CENTER', AND ARTS CAMPUS WITH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EXHIBITION SPACES. THE BUILDING ITSELF; A SLEEK, WINDOWED BOX ON TOP OF A BOX, IS MADE OF CEMENT WALLS, STEEL STAIRS AND A GLASS ROOF, GIVING THE GALLERIES A NEUTRAL BACKDROP ILLUMINATED BY FILTERED NATURAL LIGHT.
HADID IS BEST KNOWN FOR HER TRAM STATION IN STRASBOURG AND HER VITRA FIRE STATION IN GERMANY, WHICH WAS CITED BY THE PRITZKER JURORS IN AWARDING HER THE 2004 PRIZE, ARCHITECTURE'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS HONOUR. MORE RECENTLY, SHE DESIGNED THE AQUATICS CENTER FOR THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS, THE GAMES' ARCHITECTURAL SHOWPIECE.

13.11.09

PINEL & PINEL GAME TRUNK



PINEL & PINEL HAS BEEN DESIGNING AND CREATING EXCLUSIVE LUXURY THEME TRUNKS, AND ITS LATEST STUNNING CREATION IS THE UNIQUE 'GAME TRUNK' FOR ALL THE ELITE GAMERS. CLAD IN SUBTLE LEATHER, IT HOUSES MORE THAN FORTY GAMES RANGING FROM CHESS TO TRIVIAL PURSUIT TO SCRABBLE AND MONOPOLY. FIVE DRAWERS IN VARIOUS SIZES TAKE CARE OF THE GAMES WHILE THE HAND CARVED CHESS PIECES ARE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN A LIGHTED RECESS, AND ON TOP THE LIDS OPENS UP TO REVEAL A SET OF SPECIALLY MADE CERAMIC POKER CHIPS. SURELY, IT IS A PIECE OF TOTAL LUXURY FOR SOMEONE WHO CANNOT KEEP AWAY FROM PLAYING GAMES WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON STYLE. THE PINEL & PINEL GAME TRUNK CAN BE ORDERED IN 51 DIFFERENT COLOUR COMBINATION OF LEATHER EXCLUSIVELY FROM PINEL & PINEL'S PARIS BOUTIQUE.

HARRODS VERY GOLD CHRISTMAS CRACKERS



DESPITE THE ONGOING RECESSION, A NUMBER OF STUNNING AND LUXURIOUS HOLIDAY GIFT SELECTIONS ARE BEGINNING TO MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE BEDAZZLED SHOPS AND BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE. ONE HIGHLIGHT IS THE LUXURY 6 CHRISTMAS CRACKER COLLECTION FROM HARRODS FITS PERFECTLY INTO THE CATEGORY OF DELUXE GIFT ITEMS. VERY GOLD CRACKERS FLAUNT A LUXE 'VERY GOLD' DESIGN WITH GLITTER LEAFING AND RIBBON BOWS. IT ALSO FEATURES GLITTERS GOLD FEATHERS AND CHRISTMAS TREES. HANDCRAFTED TO EXCEPTIONAL STANDARDS THESE CRACKERS CONTAIN LUXURY GIFTS SUCH AS AN MP3 PLAYER, A FINE LEATHER PASSPORT HOLDER AND CRISTAL EARRINGS, CLOISONNE ENAMELED BOX WITH CRYSTALS, HANDBAG HOLDER TRAVEL SET, LUGGAGE TAG SET, AND MEN'S FINE SOCKS. EACH CRACKER ALSO CONTAINS A HAT FOR HIM AND HER, HUMOR AND TRIVIA BOOKLET. ONE BOX CONTAINS SIX HOLIDAY CRACKERS, WHICH IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT HARRODS OR harrods.com/harrodsstore, AND IS PRICED AT £600

KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS TO SELL AUDREY HEPBURN CLOTHING COLLECTION



THE WORLD REMAINS INSPIRED AND INTRIGUED BY THE ETERNAL FASHION ICON AUDREY HEPBURN. SOON HER FANS AND FOLLOWERS CAN SAMPLE HER LEGENDARY STYLE OF JOIE DO VIVRE AT AN UPCOMING AUCTION THAT INCLUDES 36 ITEMS OF CLOTHING ON OFFER DATING FROM 1953 TO THE LATE 1960s, AS WELL AS HATS, BELTS AND ACCESSORIES. KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS WILL BE HOLDING THE STUNNING SALE ON 8.DECEMBER IN LONDON. IN 1951, AUDREY LEFT EUROPE FOR AMERICA TO STAR IN THE BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF 'GIGI'. SHE SORTED THROUGH HER UNWANTED CLOTHES AND PASSED ON THE THINGS SHE NO LONGER NEEDED TO HER CLOSE FRIEND TANJA STAR-BUSMANN. OVER TIME THIS BECAME A HONORED TRADITION FOR THE STYLISH STAR AND HER FRIEND. THE AUCTION ALSO INCLUDES A GROUP OF LETTERS IN WHICH SHE DESCRIBES AN EARLY FILM BREAK, HER PROPOSED WEDDING TO JAMES HANSON AND THE TIME SHE SPENT FILMING 'ROMAN HOLIDAY'.
SOME OF THE ITEMS UP FOR SALE INCLUDE A GIVENCHY-DESIGNED BLACK SILK GOWN FOR AUDREY TO WEAR FOR THE FILM 'PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES' IN 1962 (£10-15,000), A CHANTILLY LACE COCKTAIL GOWN WHICH SHE WORE IN 'HOW TO STEAL A MILLION' IN 1966 (£15-20,000). A HIGHLIGHT OF THE SALE IS THE IVORY SATIN BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNED BY THE FONTANA SISTERS FOR AUDREY'S PLANNED MARRIAGE TO JAMES HANSON. IN 1952, WHILE FILMING 'ROMAN HOLIDAY', HEPBURN APPROACHED THE FONTANA SISTERS TO ASK THEM TO MAKE HER BRIDAL GOWN. WEEKS LATER WHEN SHE CALLED THE WEDDING OFF SHE REQUESTED THAT THE DRESS BE GIVEN AWAY TO 'PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO COULDN'T AFFORD A DRESS LIKE MINE, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, POOR ITALIAN GIRL YOU CAN FIND.' THE DRESS WAS GIVEN TO A YOUNG ITALIAN GIRL NAMED AMABILE ALTOBELLA. THE DRESS WILL BE SOLD WITH A PHOTOGRAPH OF AUDREY WEARING THE ORIGINAL FONTANA GOWN AND A LETTER FROM THE VENDOR CONFIRMING THE PROVENANCE, AND IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £8000-12000. 50% OF THE SALE PROCEEDS FROM THE VARIOUS LOTS WILL BE DONATED TO THE AUDREY HEPBURN CHILDREN'S FUND.

12.11.09

MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART, GEORGIA PRESENTS RESPONSE AND MEMORY: THE ART OF BEVERLY BUCHANAN


'RESPONSE AND MEMORY: THE ART OF BEVERLY BUCHANAN', A SELECTION OF BOLD, COLOURFUL, AND EXPRESSIVE DRAWINGS AND SCULPTURES BY THE LEADING CONTEMPORARY ARTIST, OPENS TO THE PUBLIC 21.NOVEMBER.2009, AT THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. ORGANIZED BY THE ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF ANN AND TED OLIVER, THE EXHIBITION REMAINS ON VIEW THROUGH 31.JANUARY.2010. "THROUGH HER CONTINUED EXPLORATION OF THE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF THE SOUTH, BEVERLY BUCHANAN HAS CREATED RICHLY EXPRESSIVE WORKS OF ART THAT SYMBOLIZE COMMUNITY AND THE ENERGY AND IMAGINATION THAT ARE REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN IT. SHE IS A GREAT STORY TELLER, AND, IMPLICIT IN HER WORK, LIE THE STORIES BEHIND THE RURAL SHARECROPPER SHACKS SHE DEPICTS . . ." SAID KEVIN GROGAN , DIRECTOR OF THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART.
BEVERLY BUCHANAN, BORN IN 1940 IN FUQUAY, NORTH CAROLINA, WAS RAISED IN ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THE CAMPUS OF SOUTH CAROLINA STATE COLLAGE, WHERE HER FATHER WAS DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE. ARMED WITH DEGREES IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, PARASITOLOGY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH FROM THE BENNETT COLLEGE AND COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SHE WAS A MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST FOR THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION IN THE BRONX AND THEN A HEALTH DIRECTOR FOR THE EAST ORANGE NEW YORK HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IN 1971 SHE ATTENDED ART CLASSES AT THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE, WHERE SHE STUDIED WITH NORMAN LEWIS AND DURING THE 70s, ROMARE BEARDEN BECAME A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FRIEND AND MENTOR. IN 1971 BUCHANAN MOVED TO MACON, GEORGIA, TO DEVOTE HER FULL TIME AND ATTENTION TO ART. BUCHANAN'S EARLY SCULPTURES DEMONSTRATE AN INNATE INTEREST IN THE ARCHITECTURE OF POVERTY. MADE OF CAST CONCRETE, CLAY, PIGMENT, AND OTHER MATERIALS, THESE PRIMEVAL, BLOCKLIKE FORMS CONVEYED A SENSE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RUIN AND MYSTERY. BUCHANAN'S ART GRADUALLY EVOLVED FROM THE ABSTRACT, ORGANIC FORMS INTO THE EXPRESSIONISTIC, REPRESENTATIONAL WORKS SHE EXECUTES TODAY. HER SCULPTURES ARE BASED, IN PART, ON THE SHARECROPPER SHACKS THAT CAN BE FOUND ALONG THE BACK ROADS OF THE RURAL SOUTH THAT SHE WITNESSED WHILE TRAVELING WITH HERE FATHER. BUCHANAN'S SCULPTURE AND DRAWINGS CHALLENGE THE ICONS OF HOPELESSNESS; THEY ARE ELEGIES THAT SALUTE THE INTEGRITY, RESILIENCE, AND RESOLUTION OF HUMANITY.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON PRESENTS CAFE AND CABARET: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC'S PARIS


MORE THAN 30 BOLD AND SUBTLE POSTERS, PRINTS, AND PAINTINGS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOHEMIAN NIGHTLIFE OF LATE 19th-CENTURY PARIS ARE PRESENTED IN "CAFE AND CABARET: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC'S PARIS" AT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (MFA), BOSTON, THE FRENCH ARISTOCRAT HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (1864-1901), ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ARTISTS OF THE POST-IMPRESSIONIST PERIOD, IS KNOWN FOR HIS STRIKING IMAGES OF PERFORMERS IN THE CENTERS OF PARISIAN ENTERTAINMENT IN THE 1880s AND 1890s, SPECIFICALLY THE CAFE CONCERTS AND CABARET NIGHTCLUBS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF MONTMARTE. TOULOUSE-LAUTREC SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME IN THIS LIVELY SECTION OF THE CITY, WHERE WOMEN DANCED THE CANCAN AT PLACES SUCH AS THE MOULIN ROUGHE, AND CHRONICLED IN HIS CANVASES AND LITHOGRAPHS THE EXTRAVAGANT NIGHTLIFE OF PARISIAN DANCE HALLS AND NIGHTCLUBS. "CAFE AND CABARET" WILL BE ON VIEW FROM 21.NOVEMBER.2009 THROUGH 8.AUGUST.2010, IN THE MARY STAMAS GALLERY. IN ADDITION TO WORKS BY TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, "CAFE AND CABARET" HIGHLIGHTS EVOCATIVE IMAGES OF PARISIAN NIGHTLIFE BY SEVERAL OTHER CELEBRATED ARTISTS OF THE PERIOD, INCLUDING PABLO PICASSO'S PAINTING 'STUFFED SHIRTS', THEOPHILE-ALEXANDRE STEINLEN'S POSTER 'COLLECTION OF THE CHAT NOIR', AND PIERRE BONNARD'S LITHOGRAPH 'AT THE THEATRE'.
THE MFA'S DEPARTMENT OF PRINTS, DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS HAS ALSO ORGANIZED TWO ADDITIONAL EXHIBITION AT THE MFA, BOTH ON VIEW FROM 21.NOVEMBER.2009 THROUGH 3.JULY.2010: 'ALBRECHT DURER: VIRTUOSO PRINTMAKER', IN THE CLEMENTINE HAAS MICHEL BROWN GALLERY, WHICH SHOWCASES WORKS BY THE GREAT GERMAN PRINTMAKER, AND 'HARRY CALLAHAN: AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER', IN THE HERB RITTS GALLERY, WHICH INCLUDED NUDES, SCENES OF STREET LIFE AND ELEGANT VISIONS OF NATURE BY THE CELEBRATED 20th CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHER.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.mfa.org

11.11.09

BillionaireXchange.com THE NEW ONLINE AUCTION SITE FOR THE MEGA-WEALTHY AND FAMOUS


MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES WHO ARE DOWN ON THEIR LUCK NOW HAVE A NEW PLACE TO SELL THEIR MEGA-YACHTS, LUXURY CARS, AND FAMILY JEWELS WITHOUT HAVING TO RESORT TO THE LOCAL PAWN SHOP. AN INTERNET AUCTION SITE DEVOTED TO MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED MONDAY, AND IS LIKELY TO PROFIT FROM THE WORST RECESSION IN DECADES. BUT YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE AT LEAST A MILLIONAIRE TO JOIN: BillionaireXchange.com REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE A MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION IN NET WORTH BEFORE BECOMING AN EXCLUSIVE MEMBER. THE COMPANY SAID ITS WEBSITE AIMS TO EXPLOIT A MARKET NICHE BETWEEN INTERNET SALES SITES SUCH AS EBAY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND AUCTION HOUSES SITES SUCH AS SOTHEBY'S AND CHRISTIE'S FOR THE FINE ART AND COLLECTIBLES. GIVEN THE NATURE AND PRICE OF ITEMS AUCTION HOUSES COME TO MIND AS POTENTIAL COMPETITORS. BUT BillionaireXchange's COMPLETELY ON-LINE MODEL, IS LIKELY TO HAVE A KEY DIFFERENCE. THE SITE FACILITATES SALES AND TRADES OF EVERYTHING FROM FINE ARTS AND ANTIQUES TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, BUSINESS AND FORECLOSED HOMES. ABOVE ALL ELSE, IT AIMS FOR COMPLETE PRIVACY AND EXCLUSIVITY, REQUIRING OF PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS A MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION IN VERIFIABLE INCOME. BillionaireXchange HAS REPORTED THAT IT HAS ALREADY PLAYED A ROLE IN THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF MORE THAN $180 MILLION IN ASSETS DURING A TEN MONTH TEST PHASE, AND HAS NOTICED A TREND OF DISTRESSED TRANSACTIONS FROM AMERICAN CLIENTS. BillionaireXchange WILL CHARGE SELLERS A FEE OF 5% OF THE SALES AND SAID IT WOULD HAVE GENERATED APPROXIMATELY $8.75 MILLION IN REVENUE HAD THOSE FEES BEEN CHARGED DURING THE TEST PHASE. THE MIAMI-BASED COMPANY SET HIGH FINANCIAL QUALIFICATIONS MAKE SURE BIDDING FOR THE HIGH PRICED ITEMS WOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, ACCORDING TO A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON. OVERALL, THE FIVE MEMBER FIRM CLAIMS MORE THAN 26,000 MULTI-MILLIONAIRES AS WELL AS 'NEARLY A DOZEN' BILLIONAIRES AS ITS MEMBERS.

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PROUST NECKLACE


THE STUNNING VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PROUST NECKLACE IS A STUNNING TOUR DE FORCE THAT WAS A RESULT OF SEVERAL MONTHS OF METICULOUS WORKMANSHIP BY THE JEWELERS AT VAN CLEEF & ARPELS. THE ONE OF A KIND NECKLACE FEATURES A DAZZLING COLLAR OF FLAWLESS WHITE DIAMONDS OF VARIOUS SIZES SET WITHIN 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NECKLACE ARE THE FORTY NINE NATURALLY COLOURED DIAMONDS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT BY THIN STRANDS OF WHITE GOLD. EACH OF THE COLOURED DIAMONDS IS OF A DIFFERENT SIZE, COLOUR, AND CUT GIVING IT A UNIQUE LOOK. THE VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PROUST NECKLACE IS AVAILABLE AT VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, WITH THE PRICE GIVEN UPON REQUEST.

9.11.09

THE WALKER ART GALLERY PRESENTS THE RISE OF THE WOMEN ARTISTS


WORKS BY SOME OF HISTORY'S MOST CELEBRATED WOMEN ARTISTS ARE FEATURED IN A COMPELLING NEW EXHIBITION AT THE WALKER ART GALLERY, LIVERPOOL. 'THE RISE OF THE WOMEN ARTISTS' CHARTS THE PROGRESS MADE BY FEMALE ARTISTS FROM THE 16th CENTURY UP TO THE PRESENT DAY. THE WALKER IS AHEAD OF ITS TIME IN COLLECTING WORKS BY WOMEN ARTISTS, A FACT THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE SCOPE AND DIVERSITY OF THE WORKS ON DISPLAY, THE STUNNING EXHIBITION RUNS THROUGH 14.MARCH.2010. THERE WILL BE A RICH VARIETY OF WORK ON SHOW, FROM BOTH RECENT AND CONTEMPORARY PAINTERS AND DESIGNERS SUCH AS PAULA REGO, HELEN CHADWICK AND ALLISON BRITTON. ALONGSIDE THESE PIECES, HISTORIC WORKS BY ARTISTS SUCH AS ANGELICA KAUFFMANN, MARIANNE STOKES AND LAURA KNIGHT WILL BE ON DISPLAY, WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM THE GALLERY'S HOLDINGS. PAINTINGS, WORKS ON PAPER, TEXTILES, CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE ARE FEATURED IN THE EXHIBITION, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE WORKS BY LOCAL ARTISTS SUCH AS THE SINGH TWINS AND SCULPTOR EMMA RODGERS.
THE WALKER ART GALLERY IS THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF THE NORTH. FOR NEARLY 130 YEARS IT HAS HOUSED LIVERPOOL'S MOST OUTSTANDING ART COLLECTION. MANY OF THE GALLERY'S MOST IMPORTANT WORKS HAVE BEEN ON DISPLAY IN THE CITY FOR NEARLY 200 YEARS. THE HISTORY OF THE GALLERY AND ITS COLLECTION REFLECTS THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL'S COMMITMENT TO AND APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS. IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES THE GENEROSITY OF THE CITY'S LEADERS IN ENSURING PUBLIC ACCESS TO SUCH WORKS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker

PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HONORED WITH CANADIAN ABORIGINAL GIFTS



THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HAVE RECENTLY BEEN HONORED WITH CANADIAN ABORIGINAL GIFTS DURING AN OFFICIAL DINNER HELD IN THEIR HONOR. THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE EACH DRAPED IN 'FIRST NATIONS' BLANKETS AND CEDER WREATHS WERE PLACED ON THEIR HEADS AT THE EVENT. THE PRINCE WAS ALSO GIVEN AN ORNATELY CARVED WALKING STICK BY BRITISH COLOMBIA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STEVEN POINT AND THE PROVINCE'S PREMIER GORDON CAMPBELL, DURING THE EVENT HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN VICTORIA. THE HEIR TO THE THRONE ADDRESSED THE GATHERED DIGNITARIES AND PRAISED BRITISH COLOMBIA'S LEADERSHIP IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE. HE TOLD THE GUESTS THE PROVENCE HAD SHOWED 'REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP' BY SETTING LEGALLY BINDING TARGETS FOR GREENHOUSE GASES. THE PRINCE ADDED: "IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT WE ARE PART OF NATURE. WE CANNOT HAVE OUR OWN ECONOMY WITHOUT NATURE'S ECONOMY. FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE." THE BLANKETS PRESENTED TO THE COUPLE WERE FROM A FIRST NATIONS TRIBE CALLED COAST SALISH. BLANKETS ARE ONE OF THE MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS FOR CANADA'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. ONE WAY TO HONOR SPECIAL GUESTS IS TO GIVE A BLANKET TO RECOGNIZE THEIR SERVICE TO THEIR NATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY. THE WOVEN BLANKET SYMBOLIZES WARMTH, SAFETY AND PROTECTION, A NECESSITY FOR LIFE YET IT ALSO SIGNIFIES WEALTH AND STATUS. THE COMPLEXITY OF THE DESIGN AND THE QUALITY OF WOOL USED IN THE WEAVING GIVE IT ITS VALUE. THE BLANKETS CAN ALSO SIGNIFY 'STEPPING INTO A NEW LIFE'. THE HEADBAND IS PLACED ON THE INDIVIDUAL AS PROTECTION AND A REMINDER TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS TO TAKE PLACE.

8.11.09

THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND PRESENTS 'PAUL SANDBY: PICTURING BRITAIN'


THIS WINTER THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH, PRESENTS A MAJOR EXHIBITION, 'PAUL SANDBY: PICTURING BRITAIN' WHICH CELEBRATES THE BICENTENARY OF THE ARTIST PAUL SANDBY (1731-1809). A PIONEER LANDSCAPE PAINTER AND BRILLIANT INNOVATOR WITH WATERCOLOUR, SANDBY PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN PROMOTING THE APPRECIATION OF SPECTACULAR SCENERY ACROSS BRITAIN AND INSPIRED MANY LATER TRAVELERS AND ARTISTS. ALTHOUGH THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS WORK HAS LONG BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED, THIS IS THE FIRST EXHIBITION TO INCLUDE AND ANALYZE THE FULL RANGE OF SANDBY'S ACHIEVEMENT. ON EXHIBITION FROM 7.NOVEMBER THROUGH 7.FEBRUARY.2010.
PAUL SANDBY WAS BORN IN NOTTINGHAM IN 1731. HE VISITED SCOTLAND EARLY IN HIS CAREER AS PART OF A MILITARY SURVEY, WHICH THROUGH MAP MAKING, FORMED PART OF THE CAMPAIGN TO CONTROL THE COUNTRY AFTER THE 1745 JACOBITE REBELLION. DURING HIS TIME AS THE SURVEY'S CHIEF DRAUGHTSMAN HE WAS BASED IN EDINBURGH AND PRODUCED NUMEROUS GROUND-BREAKING LANDSCAPE AND GENRE STUDIES. THESE WORKS BECAME WELL KNOWN THROUGH PRINTS, AND STAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RICH TRADITION OF DEPICTING THE DRAMA AND BEAUTY OF SCOTTISH LANDSCAPE, WHICH LATER DEVELOPED BY ARTISTS SUCH AS RUNCIMAN, NASMYTH, MORE , AND TURNER. SANDBY ALSO CAME TO KNOW THE WORK OF IMPORTANT ENLIGHTENMENT FIGURES, SUCH AS THE POET ALLAN RAMSAY AND THE ARCHITECT ROBERT ADAM. SANDBY HAS OFTEN BEEN CONSIDERED THE 'FATHER' OF WATERCOLOUR PAINTING IN BRITAIN; HE REFINED THE USE OF THE MEDIUM AND EMPLOYED IT TO EXPLORE A BROADER RANGE OF SUBJECT MATTER THAN ANY PREVIOUS ARTIST IN THE COUNTRY. HE DELIGHTED IN THE STUDY OF RURAL AND URBAN VIEWS, STREET SCENES, ROYAL PARKS AND ANCIENT CASTLES, AND ALWAYS RETAINED AN INTEREST IN FASCINATING ANECDOTAL DETAILS, WHICH EMBRACE THE FASHIONS, OCCUPATIONS AND ENTERTAINMENTS OF THE PEOPLE HE ENCOUNTERED.
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BUTCHER WEARS PEN WHILE RECEIVING HONOUR FROM QUEEN


JUST IN CASE HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WANTED TO SPECIAL ORDER A HOLIDAY TURKEY OR GOOSE FOR CHRISTMAS A CHEERY BUTCHER KEPT HIS TRUSTY PEN BEHIND HIS EAR WHEN HE RECEIVED ONE OF ENGLAND'S HIGHEST HONOURS FROM HER AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE RECENTLY. WILLIAM LLOYD WILLIAMS, KNOWN AS 'WIL THE MEAT' TO HIS LOYAL CUSTOMERS IN A WELSH VILLAGE, IS NEVER SEEN WITHOUT THE BIRO IN ITS TRADITIONAL PLACE. IT HAS BEEN A TRADEMARK FOR 30 YEARS, SO IT WAS ONLY NATURAL TO HIM THAT HE SHOULD WEAR IT TO THE PALACE TO RECEIVE AN MBE FOR SERVICES TO THE MEAT INDUSTRY. SADLY, HER MAJESTY DID NOT PLACE AN ORDER, BUT SHE DID REWARD HIM WITH A SMILE. "SHE NOTICED IT AND GAVE ME A SLIGHT SMILE AS I TURNED AWAY", HE SAID. "I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT ONE WAS AMUSED." IN HIS SHOP YESTERDAY AT MACHYNLLETH, POWYS, WIL, TOLD HOW HE HAD BOWED TO PRESSURE FROM HIS WIFE CARWEN TO REMOVE THE PEN AS HE WENT INTO THE PALACE ON THURSDAY LAST. BUT HE SNEAKILY REPLACED IT AS HE WAITED TO RECEIVE HIS HONOUR. "IF IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY CUSTOMERS THEN IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BUCKINGHAM PALACE", HE SAID LATER. ROYLE FAMILY STAR SUE JOHNSTON, WHO WAS RECEIVING AN OBE, SPOTTED THE ODD FASHION STATEMENT. WIL SAID: "SHE SAID TO ME, 'DO YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A BIRO BEHIND YOUR EAR?' I SAID, 'YES, I'M A BUTCHER AND I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE A CHRISTMAS ORDER.' SHE LIKED THAT. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS HILARIOUS."

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