6.2.10

UNIVERSAL TO OPEN THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER



THE COUNTDOWN IS WELL AND TRULY ON FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HARRY POTTER THEME PARK THAT IS BEING BUILT IN FLORIDA. FANS OF THE POPULAR BOOKS AND FILMS WILL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE A FULL-SIZE VERSION OF THE YOUNG WIZARD'S MAGICAL WORLD, WHEN A NEW 20 ACRE AMUSEMENT PARK AREA IS OPENED AT UNIVERSAL'S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER WILL OPEN THIS SPRING, WITH UNIVERSAL STILL TO CONFIRM THE EXACT DATE. BUT FANS ARE HOPING IT OPENS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER WITH THE HOST OF STUNNING NEW ADVERTS BEING RELEASED TO PROMOTE THE THEME PARK, A 30SECOND TELEVISION AD WILL AIR FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE COMMERCIALS BREAKS FOR THE SUPER BOWL - ONE OF THE BIGGEST AMERICAN TELEVISION EVENTS OF THE YEAR. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HAS ALSO BEEN RECENTLY UPDATED AND FANS ARE NOW GIVEN A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE AN INTERACTIVE MAP OF THE THEME PARK.


HARRY POTTER AND THE FORBIDDEN JOURNEY WILL TAKE GUESTS THROUGH SCENES AND ROOMS FROM THE BLOCKBUSTER FILMS WITH THE TURRETED BUILDING MADE TO LOOK 700 FEET TALL. FANS WILL ENTER THE WIZARDING WORLD THROUGH A STATION ARCHWAY NAMED AFTER HOGSMEADE, THE MAGICAL VILLAGE NEAR HOGWARTS. A PLUME OF STEAM AND A TRAIN WHISTLE WILL SOUND THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS. OTHER RIDES INCLUDE THE 'DRAGON CHALLENGE', A TWIN HIGH-SPEED ROLLER COASTER THEMED AFTER THE TRI-WIZARD TOURNAMENT. THERE WILL ALSO BE A FAMILY ROLLER COASTER CALLED FLIGHT OF THE HIPPOGRIFF, NAMED AFTER A CREATURE WITH AN EAGLE'S HEAD AND A HORSE'S BODY. EVERY SHOP AND RESTAURANT IS POTTER-THEMED. HONEYDUKES SELLS CHOCOLATE FROGS AND 'BERTIE BOTT'S EVERY-FLAVOUR BEANS', OLLIVANDER'S SELLS MAGIC WANDS, ZONKO'S JOKE SHOP HAS SNEAKOSCOPES AND THE BRITISH RESTAURANT 'THREE BROOMSTICKS' POURS BUTTERBEER. AND AT THE OWL POST, GUESTS CAN SEND LETTERS WITH A CERTIFIED HOGSMEADE POSTMARK. ART AND SET DIRECTORS FROM THE FILMS, INCLUDING OSCAR-WINNING PRODUCTION DESIGNER STUART CRAIG AND ART DIRECTOR ALAN GILMORE, WERE HIRED TO TRANSLATE THE FILMS INTO THE PAR. ROWLING, KNOWN FOR CAREFULLY GUARDING THE POTTER FRANCHISE, HASN'T YET BEEN TO ORLANDO, BUT THE DESIGN TEAM HAS MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO LONDON FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH THE AUTHOR. 'THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT HARRY POTTER IS THAT THE STORIES ARE SO RICH IN THEMSELVES, SO DEEP', SAID UNIVERSAL CREATIVE PRESIDENT MARK WOODBURY.

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL MICHAEL CRICHTON COLLECTION


CHRISTIE'S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL OFFER AT AUCTION THIS COMING SPRING IN NEW YORK MAJOR WORKS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE LATE MICHAEL CRICHTON. BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND SCREENWRITER, FILM DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER, CRICHTON IS RENOWNED FOR HIS TERRIFYING AND SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL SCIENTIFIC THRILLERS SUCH AS 'THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN', 'JURASSIC PARK', 'TIMELINE' AND FOR CREATING THE TELEVISION SERIES ER. CRICHTON IS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED AS A LEADING AUTHORITY ON THE AMERICAN ARTIST JASPER JOHNS. CRICHTON'S NOVELS HAVE SOLD MORE THAN 150 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE; THEY HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO 36 LANGUAGES, AND AS MANY HAVE BEEN MADE INTO BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES. EARLY IN HIS CAREER, CRICHTON DEVELOPED A KEEN INTEREST IN CONTEMPORARY ART AND FRIENDSHIPS WITH DAVID HOCKNEY (WHO MADE A PORTRAIT OF CRICHTON IN 1976), ROY LICHTENSTEIN, ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG AND CLAES OLDENBURG. IN THE 1970s, CRICHTON ALSO BECAME A CLOSE FRIEND AND AVID COLLECTOR OF JASPER JOHNS. HE WAS ASKED BY JOHNS TO WRITE A CATALOG FOR HIS MAJOR RETROSPECTIVE AT THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, NEW YORK, IN 1977. THE PUBLICATION AND ITS REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION ARE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE PREEMINENT STUDIES ON AMERICA'S FOREMOST LIVING ARTIST. IN 2006 CRICHTON WAS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ARTS. CHRISTIE'S WILL BE PREVIEWING AND SHOWCASING FOUR IMPORTANT WORKS FROM THE MICHAEL CRICHTON COLLECTION AS PART OF THE PREVIEW EXHIBITION OF MAJOR POST-WAR AND CONTEMPORARY ART TO BE SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S IN LONDON NEXT WEEK. 'THIS EXHIBITION IN LONDON IS AN INCREDIBLE INSIGHT INTO THE MIND AND PERSONAL JOURNEY THAT MICHAEL CRICHTON MADE AS A COLLECTOR', SAID A SPOKESPERSON FOR CHRISTIE'S. 'WE WILL SHOW WONDERFUL WORKS BY PICASSO, LICHTENSTEIN, JOHNS AND RAUSCHENBERG, ARTISTS WHOM MICHAEL RANKED AS THE GREATEST OF OUR AGE. WE ARE THRILLED TO BE EXHIBITING AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF JASPER JOHNS' 'FLAG', ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ICONS OF AMERICAN ART. JOHNS' FLAG HAD AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON ARTISTS WORLDWIDE. IT IS AN IMAGE WHICH LITERALLY CHANGED THE COURSE OF ART HISTORY.'

THE WORKS ON VIEW IN LONDON WILL BE:
• JASPER JOHNS, FLAG, Jasper Johns, Flag, 1960-1966
• ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG, STUDIO PAINTING (COMBINE), 1960-1961
• PICASSO, FEMME ET FILLETTES (WOMAN AND CHILDREN), 1961
• ROY LICHTENSTEIN, GIRL IN WATER, 1965

5.2.10

NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND TO PRESENT 'THE YOUNG VERMEER'


THREE PAINTINGS FROM JOHANNES VERMEER'S EARLY CAREER WILL BE REUNITED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN A DISPLAY AT THE NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH, IN DECEMBER 2010. THE YOUNG VERMEER WILL PRESENT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPARE DIRECTLY THREE WORKS AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CELEBRATED ARTISTS. JOHANNES VERMEER (1632-75) IS WORLD RENOWNED FOR HIS METICULOUS PAINTINGS OF DUTCH INTERIORS, WHICH REFLECT HIS FASCINATION WITH OPTICAL EFFECTS AND SERENELY BALANCED COMPOSITIONS. HE PRODUCED FEW WORKS, OF WHICH LESS THAN 40 SURVIVE, DURING HIS CAREER IN DELFT. THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND IS ONE OF ONLY 17 GALLERIES WORLDWIDE THAT HOLDS A WORK BY VERMEER IN ITS COLLECTION. WHILST HIS LATER WORK CONCENTRATES ON DOMESTIC INTERIORS, HIS EARLY PAINTINGS SEEM TO HAVE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS DERIVED FORM THE BIBLE AND CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY. THE YOUNG VERMEER WILL SHOW THREE PAINTINGS CREATED BETWEEN 1653 AND 1656: THE NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND'S 'CHRIST IN THE HOUSE OF MARY AND MARTHA' (c.1654-55); 'THE PROCURESS' (1656) FROM STAATLICHE KUNSTSAMMLUGEN DRESDEN; AND 'DIANA AND HER COMPANIONS' (c.1653-54) FROM MAURITSHUIS, THE ROYAL PICTURE GALLERY IN THE HAGUE. WHILE THESE EARLY WORKS DIFFER GREATLY FROM HIS LATER PAINTINGS IN TERMS OF SUBJECT MATTER, SIZE AND STYLE THEY ALREADY SHOW VERMEER'S INTEREST IN THE DEPICTION OF COLOUR, LIGHT AND TEXTURE.

LOUIS VUITTON $35,000 WHISKEY TRAVEL CASE


FRENCH LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE LOUIS VUITTON HAS RECENTLY RELEASED AN UPDATED VERSION OF ITS CLASSIC WHISKEY CASE PORTABLE BAR WHICH WAS FIRST OFFERED IN 1955. AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER THROUGH LOUIS VUITTON BOUTIQUES WORLD WIDE AND PRICED AT ABOUT $35,000, THE CASE IS WRAPPED IN ELEGANT TAIGA LEATHER, THOUGH IT CAN BE SPECIAL ORDERED IN THE ICONIC MONOGRAM CANVAS AS WELL. THE ELEGANT CASE IS CONSTRUCTED ENTIRELY BY HAND AT THE LOUIS VUITTON ATELIER IN FRANCE WITH THE FITTINGS, HASPS AND LOCKS OS SILVERED SOLID BRASS. THE ACCESSORIES THAT ACCOMPANY IT INCLUDE A SILVER ICE BUCKET WITH TONGS, SILVER COCKTAIL STICKS IN A PULL-OUT DRAWER, FOUR CRISTAL WHISKEY TUMBLERS, A CRISTAL DECANTER WITH A SILVER LID AND TWO CRISTAL 'COUPELLE' DISHES IN SEPARATE COMPARTMENTS.

PETROSSIAN CAVIARCUBES


THE NY TIMES RECENTLY REPORTED THAT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE HAS NOT PERMITTED THE IMPORTING OF PRESSED CAVIAR BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD TO DISCERN WHAT SOURCE THE STURGEON CAME FROM. BUT NOW LUXURY FOOD PURVEYORS PETROSSIAN IS MAKING DELECTABLE CUBES OF PRESSED CAVIAR FROM SPECIALLY FARMED CALIFORNIA TRANSMONTANUS. PRESENTED IN GLASS JARS CONTAINING ABOUT 18 CAVIARCUBES AND PACKED IN OIL, THE UNIQUE CREATIONS CAN BE USED FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES INCLUDING ADDING A LUXURIOUS TWIST TO PASTA. THE PETROSSIAN CAVIARCUBES ARE SOLD EXCLUSIVELY AT PETROSSIAN FOR $45.

DUCHESS OF CORNWALL VISITS CORONATION STREET SET



THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL WORE A SPECIAL BROOCH DURING A RECENT VISIT TO THE CORONATION STREET SET, FEATURING THREE FLYING DUCKS. CAMILLA WAS PRESENTED WITH THE JEWELRY BY ITV BEFORE HER TRIP TO THE COBBLES OF WEATHERFIELD, IN CELEBRATION OF THE SOAP'S 50th ANNIVERSARY. FOR MANY YEARS THE MUCH-LOVED CHARACTER HILDA OGDEN HAD THREE PLASTER DUCKS HANGING ON HER WALL, WITH THE MIDDLE ONE ALWAYS 'ASKEW'. THE DUCKS SOON BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE SHOW, AND EVEN WAS FEATURED IN THE CORONATION STREET MONOPOLY GAME. THE BROOCH WAS MADE BY KEITH SIMPSON, OF 1849 GOLDSMITHS IN WHITEFIELD, MANCHESTER. THE DUCHESS PULLED A PINT BEHIND THE BAR OF THE ROVER'S RETURN DURING THE VISIT TO GRANADA STUDIOS SET, AFTER WATCHING THE CAST FILM A SCENE WHICH WILL BE AIRED IN APRIL. THE ONLY ORIGINAL CAST MEMBER, WILLIAM ROACHE OBE, WHO PLAYS KEN BARLOW, WAS CHOSEN TO GREET CAMILLA, WHO IS A LIFE-LONG FAN OF THE SOAP. THE SET OF DUCKS WAS PART OF THE STREET AS EARLY AS 1960, APPEARING IN ELSIE TANNER'S HOME, BEFORE IT WAS PASSED TO HILDA.

4.2.10

SOTHEBY'S SELLS GIACOMETTI'S L'HOMME QUI MARCHE I FOR RECORD £65,001,250/$104,327,006


GIACOMETTI'S LIFE-SIZED SCULPTURE L'HOMME QUI MARCHE I (WALKING MAN I) FETCHED £65,001,250/$104,327,006 AFTER JUST EIGHT MINUTES OF BIDDING AT SOTHEBY'S. THE WINNING BID, WHICH OPENED AT £12 MILLION, WAS MADE OVER THE PHONE BY AN ANONYMOUS BIDDER. THE SCULPTURE, CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BY THE 20th CENTURY SWISS ARTIST, WAS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR BETWEEN £12 MILLION TO £18 MILLION. FURIOUS BIDDING SAW MORE THAN TEN RIVALS ESCALATE THE PRICE, EVENTUALLY HITTING THE £65 MILLION MARK. A SOTHEBY'S SPOKESPERSON SAID IT WAS THE HIGHEST FOR ANY WORK OF ART EVER SOLD AT AN AUCTION. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS A PICASSO PAINTING, 'BOY WITH A PIPE', WHICH WAS HIS HAUNTING ROSE PERIOD PORTRAIT OF A YOUNGSTER CALLED 'LITTLE LOUIS', WHO USED TO HANG AROUND HIS STUDIO IN PARIS, WHICH SOLD FOR A STAGGERING £58.5 MILLION/$104 MILLION IN 2004. A SPOKESPERSON FOR SOTHEBY'S SAID: 'THE COMPETITION WHICH GENERATED THESE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS DEMONSTRATES THE CONTINUED QUEST FOR QUALITY THAT COMPELS TODAY'S COLLECTORS'. IN AN AMAZING NIGHT FOR SOTHEBY'S, ONE OF THE OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART SALE ALSO EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS. GUSTAV KLIMT'S 'KIRCHE IN CASSONE' WENT FOR £26,921,250, FAR ABOVE THE £12 MILLION TO £18 MILLION ESTIMATE. IT PROVED TO BE A RECORD PRICE FOR A KLIMT LANDSCAPE AND THE SECOND HIGHEST AUCTION BID FOR ANY WORK BY THE AUSTRIAN PAINTER.

DITA VON TEESE DESIGNS SLEEP MASK FOR CHARITY


DITA VON TEESE WHO IS KNOWN FOR HER FLASHY PERFORMANCES AND FRONT ROW ATTENDANCE AT TOP FASHION SHOWS HAS RECENTLY DESIGNED A CUTE PINK SILK-SATIN SLEEPING EYE MASK IN COLLABORATION WITH FASHION DESIGNER MOSCHINO. THE LIMITED EDITION MASK STAYS TRUE TO DITA'S VINTAGE PINUP STYLE, FEATURING PLAYFUL TROMPE L'OEIL EYELASHES, SWISS DOT OVERLAY WITH RUFFLED LACE EDGING AND RHINESTONES SPELLING OUT 'DITA FOR MOSCHINO'. PLUS, IT COMES WITH A MATCHING CASE. THE MASK SELLS FOR $130 WITH 30% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALES GOING TO AMFAR, AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND RESEARCH.

PRINCE CHARLES AND CAMILLA JOIN A COOKING CLASS


Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall make bread in cooking class
THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL TOOK PART IN BREAD MAKING CLASS AS THEY JOINED A COOKERY MASTERCLASS. THE PAIR ROLLED ANS KNEADED DOUGH, COVERING THEIR HANDS IN THE STICKY MIXTURE AS THEY HELPED SCHOOLCHILDREN MAKE A BATCH OF BUNS. THE ROYAL BAKERS WERE SHOWN HOW TO MAKE BASIC ROLLS BEFORE ATTEMPTING A KNOT-STYLE LOAF OF BREAD. THE PRINCE, PATRON OF THE ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS, AND THE DUCHESS VISITED ST GEORGE'S PRIMARY SCHOOL IN LONDON TO SEE HOW A SCHEME TO INFORM CHILDREN ABOUT THE 'PLEASURES OF EATING' WAS WORKING. CELEBRITY CHEFS HESTON BLUMENTHAL AND GARY RHODES JOINED THE ROYAL COUPLE FOR A RECEPTION AT THE SCHOOL. BLUMENTHAL SAID AFTERWARD: 'YOU CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SCHEME.' THE 'CHEFS ADOPT A SCHOOL' PROGRAM AIMS TO INFLUENCE A NEW GENERATION OF FOOD LOVERS AND HOME COOKS BY INTRODUCING PUPILS TO 'REAL' FOOD AND TEACHING THEM WHERE INGREDIENTS COME FROM. THE PRINCE AND THE DUCHESS ALSO TOOK PART IN A TASTING SESSION, WITH CAMILLA BITING INTO A SLICE OF LEMON. BOTH SNIFFED TINY POTS OF RASPBERRY JAM AS PUPILS WERE TAUGHT HOW THE PALATE WORKS. THE PRINCE PRAISED THE SCHEME AS OF 'HUGE IMPORTANCE'. THE PRINCE ALSO SPOKE OF THE PROBLEM OF FINDING PEOPLE TO TEACH PUPILS ABOUT COOKING. 'THE DIFFICULTY IS THAT WE HAVE LOST AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF PEOPLE WHO KNEW HOW TO TEACH DOMESTIC SCIENCE', HE SAID. RHODES STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PUPILS LEARNING TO COOK THEIR OWN FOOD. 'WHEN THEY MAKE IT THEMSELVES, THEY CAN'T WAIT TO EAT IT.' HE SPOKE OF HOW HE INVOLVED HIS OWN CHILDREN IN THE KITCHEN. 'FROM A VERY, VERY YOUNG AGE I HAD THEM COOKING WITH ME. YES, THEY STILL WANT THE OCCASIONAL BURGER BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE FOOD THEY EAT TODAY, IT'S REALLY QUITE INCREDIBLE.'

3.2.10

BUCKINGHAM PALACE VALUED AT OVER £1 BILLION


BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS RECENTLY BEEN VALUED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AT OVER £1 BILLION. THE QUEEN'S OFFICIAL LONDON RESIDENCE WAS ESTIMATED BY HOME VALUATION SITE Zoopla.co.uk, MAKING IT THE UK'S MOST EXPENSIVE FAMILY PROPERTY. BUT THE PRICE TAG IS HARDLY SURPRISING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THE PALACE HAS 775 ROOMS, INCLUDING 19 STATE ROOMS, 52 ROYAL AND GUEST BEDROOMS, 188 STAFF BEDROOMS, 92 OFFICES AND 78 BATHROOMS. IT ALSO HAS A CINEMA, SWIMMING POOL, 40 ACRES OF LAND WITH GARDENS AND PARK LAND, AND IT'S VERY OWN POST OFFICE. A ZOOPLA SPOKESPERSON SAID; 'EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE, EVEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE. AND IT SHOWS THAT THE ROYALS MIGHT BE SHREWDER INVESTORS THAN THEY ARE GIVEN CREDIT FOR, GIVEN THAT BUCKINGHAM HOUSE, AS IT WAS KNOWN THEN, WAS REPORTEDLY PURCHASED FOR ONLY £21,000 BY KING GEORGE III IN 1761.' THE QUEEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT, WINDSOR CASTLE, HAS ALSO BEEN VALUED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT OVER £200 MILLION. THE FIGURE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE £37 MILLION SPENT ON RESTORATION FOLLOWING THE 1997 FIRE. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THE ROYALS DO HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON WITH OTHER BRITISH PROPERTY OWNERS, AND ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THE FALL IN THE HOUSING MARKET. ZOOPLA HAS ESTIMATED THAT BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS FALLEN IN VALUE BY AN ESTIMATED £57 MILLION IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. WINDSOR CASTLE FARED ONLY SLIGHTLY BETTER WITH A DROP IN VALUE OF £8 MILLION SINCE LAST SUMMER.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON DESIGNS SOLIDARITY HANDBAG FOR CHARITY


SCARLETT JOHANSSON HAS DESIGNED A SOLIDARITY HANDBAG FOR THE SPANISH RETAILER MANGO TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE. THE BAG DEPICTS AN EARLY CARTOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF HAITI, AND THE WORDS 'SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF HAITI, DESIGNED BY SCARLETT JOHANSSON'. THE HAITI HANDBAG WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT OVER 1,300 MANGO STORES AROUND THE WORLD FROM MARCH 2010, AND WILL RETAIL FOR $29.90.

AXE SHOWER TOWEL






THE WIDELY POPULAR MEN'S SPRAY FRAGRANCE, KNOWN FOR ITS SEDUCTIVE AND ALLURING SCENTS AND UNIQUE PACKAGING WHICH A TREND ON HOW MEN'S FRAGRANCES ARE SOLD, HAS OVER THE YEARS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS ONE OF THE LEADING MALE GROOMING BRANDS IN THE WORLD. RECENTLY AXE RELEASED A NEW AND UNIQUE ITEM TO THEIR COLLECTION OF PRODUCTS; THE AXE SHOWER TOWEL, WHICH IS HIGHLIGHTED WITH HUMOROUS SILKSCREEN DESIGNS. THESE NEW TOWELS ARE SURE TO BE THE TALK IN ANY LOCKER-ROOM . . .

BUCKINGHAM PALACE RELEASES ROYAL'S 'GIFTS RECEIVED' LIST


THE DUKE OF YORK RECEIVED MORE THAN 100 PRESENTS DURING THE COURSE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES LAST TEAR, ACCORDING TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE. AMONG THE PRESENTS GIVEN TO HIM WERE A SAMSUNG MOBILE PHONE, A DYSON HAND-HELD VACUUM CLEANER, A COFFEE POT, THREE TEA SETS AND A PERSIAN RUG. HE ALSO RECEIVED THREE SWORDS FROM SAUDI ARABIA, TWO PHOTO BOOKS FROM TURKMENISTAN, A MODEL PALM TREE FROM THE KING OF BAHRAIN, AND A CHOCOLATE CAMEL AND AN EVERTON FOOTBALL SHIRT FROM THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. HIS BROTHER THE EARL OF WESSEX WAS GIVEN A CHERRY TREE, SOME BOTTLES OF WINE, SOME CIGARS AND A WOODEN CLOCK. THE PRINCESS ROYAL WAS GIVEN A PAIR OF EARRINGS BY PRESIDENT STJEPAN MESIC OF CROATIA AND A FILIGREE NECKLACE FROM THE KOSOVO CULTURE MINISTRY. THERE ARE STRICT RULES REGARDING HOW OFFICIAL GIFTS CAN BE USED. THEY CAN BE WORN AND USED BUT ARE NOT THE PROPERTY OF TEH MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. NEITHER CAN THEY BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED. THEY OFFICIALLY BECOME PART OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION, NO MATTER HOW BIZARRE THEY ARE. PERISHABLE GOODS, LIKE THE CHOCOLATE CAMEL, CAN BE EATEN, OR GIVEN AWAY, BUT IF SUCH A GIFT IS WORTH MORE THAN £150 IT MUST BE GIVEN TO CHARITY. OFFICIALS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE COMPILED THE LISTS, HOWEVER, THEY DECLINED TO PRODUCE ONE FOR THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, SAYING THOSE GIFTS WERE USUALLY PRESENTED IN PUBLIC.

CHRISTIE'S SELLS PICASSO'S TETE DE FEMME (JACQUELINE) FOR £8.1 MILLION


A STUNNING PICASSO MASTERPIECE UNSEEN IN PUBLIC FOR 43 YEARS FETCHED MORE THAN TWICE ITS ESTIMATED PRICE AT THE RECENT CHRISTIE'S IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART SALE IN LONDON WHEN IT SOLD FOR £8.1 MILLION. 'TETE DE FEMME (JACQUELINE)', A 1963 PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST'S SECOND WIFE, HAD NOT BEEN SEEN IN PUBLIC SINCE 1967 AND WAS EXPECTED TO FETCH £3-4 MILLION, CHRISTIE'S SAID. THE PORTRAIT HAD NEVER BEEN OFFERED AT AUCTION AND HAD REMAINED IN THE SAME COLLECTION SINCE 1981. IT WAS THE MOST TALKED ABOUT LOT OF THE STRING OF MASTERPIECES BY PICASSO, RENOIR AND MATISSE WHICH WENT ON THE AUCTION BLOCK. JACQUELINE HAD AN UNUSUALLY SHORT NECK AND IT IS SAID THAT PICASSO WOULD JOKINGLY EXAGGERATE ITS SIZE IN HIS PORTRAITS, AS IN THE ELONGATED EXAMPLE. A CHRISTIE'S SPOKESPERSON WOULD NOT REVEAL THE IDENTITY OF THE WINNING BIDDER, 'IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY EVENING AND MANY OF THE PIECES HAVE EXCEEDED THEIR ESTIMATES', SHE SAID.

2.2.10

DANISH SOLDIER PASSES OUT AT ROYAL GALA




FOR ONE SOLDIER, THE PROSPECT OF MEETING A MEMBER OF ROYALTY WAS TOO OVERWHELMING. THE ROYAL GUARD FELL FORWARD LANDING WITH A LOUD ECHOING THUD, AFTER FAINTING BEFORE THE ARRIVAL CEREMONY BEGAN FOR A RECENT GALA DINNER HOSTED BY THE DANISH QUEEN AND HER HUSBAND. THE YOUNG SOLDIER HAD BEEN WAITING IN A FORMAL PRESENTATION LINE-UP AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCESS MARY, POLITICIANS AND VARIOUS DIGNITARIES AT THE CHRISTIANBORG PALACE IN COPENHAGEN WHEN HE KEELED OVER. HE WAS DRAGGED TO HIS FEET BY SECURITY OFFICIALS WHO CARRIED HIM OFF BEFORE THE GUESTS ARRIVED. QUEEN MARGRETHE AND PRINCE CONSORT HENRIK WERE HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL PARTY FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE DANISH PARLIAMENT, AND THE SOLDIER WAS PART OF THE EVENING'S HONOUR GUARD.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY PRESENTS JD SALINGER BY ROBERT VICKERY


THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY INSTALLED A PORTRAIT OF JD SALINGER BY ROBERT VICKERY MONDAY, 1.FEBRUARY. IT WAS ON VIEW WHEN THE MUSEUM OPENED TO THE PUBLIC, IN THE FIRST-FLOOR GALLERY THAT IS DESIGNATED FOR REMEMBRANCE OF RECENTLY DECEASED INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTED IN THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION. JEROME DAVID SALINGER HAD ONE OF THE GREAT SUCCESSES OF ALL TIME WITH THE CATCHER IN THE RYE (1951). HE THEN VANISHED, PUBLISHING ONLY A FEW COLLECTIONS OF SHORT STORIES AND EMERGING ONLY TO SUE PEOPLE WHO ATTEMPTED TO WRITE ABOUT HIM; HIS LAST PUBLICATION WAS IN 1965. YET CATCHER IN THE RYE REMAINS A CLASSIC. ITS TEENAGED NARRATOR HOLDEN CAULFIELD'S ACCOUNT OF A WEEKEND IN MANHATTAN CONTINUES TO SPEAK TO DISAFFECTED ADOLESCENTS KICKING AGAINST THE 'PHONIES'. IT HAS SOLD MORE THAN 65 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE AND IS STILL OCCASIONALLY BANNED BY EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS WHO FEAR ITS CORRUPTING IMPACT ON ALIENATED YOUTH. HERE, IN A WAY THAT SALINGER (AND CAULFIELD) WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED, ARTIST ROBERT VICKERY INTERPRETS THE BOOK'S TITLE LITERALLY AND PAINTS THE AUTHOR AGAINST AN AMBER WAVE OF GRAIN. THE PORTRAIT WAS CREATED FOR THE 15.SEPTEMBER.1961, EDITION OF TIME MAGAZINE

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS FOLIE DES PRES RING


THE NEW VAN CLEEF & ARPELS FOLIE DES PRES RING IS NAMED MADNESS IN THE MEADOWS DUE TO ITS ABNORMAL SETTING. THE CENTERPIECE OF THE RING IS AN EXTREMELY RARE SIX POINT TWENTY ONE CARAT MAUVE SAPPHIRE MINED IN MADAGASCAR. THE CENTRAL MAUVE SAPPHIRE IS SURROUNDED BY SMALLER MAUVE SAPPHIRES AND DIAMONDS IN A SEMI-FLORAL PATTERN. THE STUNNING RING IS A UNIQUE ONE-OFF PIECE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PARIS.

1.2.10

PRINCE HARRY FALLS OFF HORSE DURING CHARITY POLO MATCH





PRINCE HARRY WAS THROWN FROM HIS MOUNT, DURING A RECENT CHARITY POLO MATCH, AS HE ATTEMPTED A SHARP TURN CLOSE TO THE GOAL MOUTH, CAUSING THE ANIMAL TO LOOSE ITS FOOTING AND SLIDE ACROSS THE GROUND OF DUST AND GRASS. FORTUNATELY THE YOUNG ROYAL MANAGED TO DIVE FORWARDS AND EXECUTE AN ATHLETIC ROLL, BREAKING THE IMPACT OF HIS FALL ON THE ROCK-HARD POLO FIELD. SECONDS LATER HE PICKED HIMSELF UP UNHARMED BUT WAS CLEARLY UPSET AT THE BLUNDER AS HE THREW HIS MALLET TO THE GROUND IN DISGUST, RIPPED OFF HIS HELMET AND PUNCHED IT. THE PONY WAS UNHURT. HARRY'S TEAM WENT ON TO WIN THE INAUGURAL SENTEBALE POLO CUP, WITH THE PRINCE SCORING ONE OF THEIR SIX GOALS. BUT THE EVOKED MEMORIES OF THE INCIDENT IN WHICH HIS FATHER, PRINCE CHARLES, WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS WHILE PLAYING THE GAME AND SWALLOWED HIS TONGUE. HE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL SUFFERING A CONCUSSION AFTER THE 2001 ACCIDENT. SPEAKING ABOUT THE FALL AFTERWARDS, HARRY SAID: 'I'M A BIT SORE BUT IT WAS ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE SO IT WAS WORTHWHILE IN THE END. BASICALLY THE HORSE SLIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH ME, WHICH DOES HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY AND IS UNFORTUNATE. IT PROBABLY LOOKS VERY DRAMATIC BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO THROW MYSELF CLEAR OF THE HORSE. I'M A BIT SORE BUT THE HORSE IS OK THOUGH.' THE PRINCE EXPLAINED THAT HE HADN'T THROWN DOWN HIS MALLET IN ANGER AT GETTING THROWN BUT WAS FURIOUS THAT HE MAY HAVE LOST SENTEBALE A SIZABLE DONATION. HE EXPLAINED: 'THE REASON WHY I WAS THROWING MY MALLET DOWN WAS BECAUSE I MET THIS NICE BUSINESSMAN AT DINNER LAST NIGHT WHO OFFERED ME $50,000 FOR SENTEBALE IF I FELL OFF MY HORSE TODAY. HIS WIFE TURNED ROUND AND SAID, 'THAT'S A BIT HARSH, YOU SHOULD GIVE HIM $100,000 IF HE STAYS ON.' AND HE AGREED TO SEAL THE DEAL ON THAT. SO WHEN I FELL OFF, I THREW DOWN MY MALLET AND SHOUTED: 'WHAT A WASTE OF $100,000!!' I WAS FURIOUS WITH MYSELF.' HARRY WAS PLAYING AT THE EXCLUSIVE APES HILL POLO CLUB IN BARBADOS TO RAISE MONEY FOR SENTEBALE, THE CHARITY HE CO-FOUNDED IN MEMORY OF HIS LATE MOTHER TO HELP VULNERABLE AIDS ORPHANS IN THE AFRICAN KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. THE 1,200 TICKET MATCH WAS A COMPLETE SELL OUT AND IS EXPECTED TO RAISE MORE THAN £100,000. HARRY HOPES TO MAKE SENTEBALE POLO CUP AND ANNUAL EVENT.

DISNEY DREAM CRUISE SHP




THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED STUNNING NEW IMAGES OF ITS NEW FORTHCOMING LUXURY LINER CALLED THE DISNEY DREAM. THE NEW VESSEL IS SCHEDULED TO BE LAUNCHED ON 26.JANUARY.2011, THE DREAM IS THE FIRST OF TWO NEW CRUISE LINERS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE MEYER WERFT SHIPYARD IN PAPENBURG, GERMANY. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW DREAM WILL INCLUDE THE AQUADUCK THE FIRST EVER WATER COASTER ABOARD ANY SAILING VESSEL AND THE ENCHANTED GARDEN RESTAURANT WHICH FEATURES AN ARTIFICIAL SKY THAT TRANSFORMS INTO SUNSET, WITH COLOURS THAT CHANGE INTO A TWINKLING FIELD OF STARS. AT THE HELM WILL BE CAPTAIN TOM FORBERG, WITH BOOKINGS BEING AVAILABLE BEGINNING 9.NOVEMBER.2010.


NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART TO PRESENT WORKS BY BOTERO


NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, ROSLYN, NY, WILL PRESENT A MAJOR EXHIBITION THAT SHOWCASES THE WORK BY ONE OF THE MOST HONOURED LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTS WORKING TODAY. FERNANDO BOTERO INCLUDES A RANGE OF PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS AND MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE THAT EXEMPLIFY BOTERO'S MOST FAMILIAR THEMES: COMMONPLACE SCENES OF EVERYDAY LIFE, LIFE IN THE BEDROOM, LIFE OF THE STREETS AND PEOPLE RAPT IN THE EXCITEMENT OF MUSIC OR FAMILY ACTIVITIES. THROUGHOUT, BOTERO'S CHARACTERS ARE SEEN IN THEIR 'BOTERO-ESQUE' GIRTH AND GRANDEUR. WORKS BY THIS FAMED ARTIST WERE PREVIOUSLY SEEN AT THE MUSEUM IN A MAJOR 2005 EXHIBITION. FERNANDO BOTERO OPENS AT NCMA ON 31.MARCH AND RUNS THROUGH TO 24.MAY.
A NATIVE OF COLOMBIA, BOTERO HAS RESIDED IN NEW YORK, PARIS AND TUSCANY. IN THE 1960s, HE BEGAN TO ACHIEVE ACCLAIM FOR HIS SATIRICAL PAINTINGS OF OVER SIZED, FLESH FIGURES WITH LARGE LIMBS AND SMALL BODIES. IN 1971 HE BEGAN MAKING SCULPTURES AS WELL, AN EXAMPLE OF WHICH IS 'MAN ON HORSEBACK', A SELF ASSURED GENTLEMAN IN A SUIT AND A BOWLER HAT, HIS LEGS AS LARGE AS THOSE OF THE HORSE. THE WORK GREETS VISITORS ALONG A WOODEN PATH LEADING TO THE MUSEUM AND IS A PERMANENT PART OF NCMA'S SCULPTURE PARK. BOTERO'S SMOOTH ROUNDED DEPICTIONS OF PEOPLE AND ANIMALS EXHIBIT A COMIC DISREGARD FOR CORRECT PROPORTIONS. THIS SKEWING OF FORM IS CENTRAL TO WORKS BY BOTERO. HE HAS SAID: 'IN ART, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE IDEAS AND THINK, YOU ARE BOUND TO DEFORM NATURE. ART IS DEFORMATION.' BOTERO IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN AND RESPECTED OF THE LATE 20th CENTURY STILL-LIFE PAINTERS. HIS REPRESENTATIONS OF FRUITS, FLOWERS, VEGETABLES, SWEETS, MEATS AND CHEESES EMBODY MANY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT ARE OBSERVED IN HIS OTHER SUBJECTS. THEY DISPLAY A MARKED ENGAGEMENT WITH SENSUALITY. THERE IS A SENSE OF THE SACRAMENTAL OR THE RITUAL IN MANY OF THE PAINTINGS. A NUMBER OF BOTERO'S STILL LIFES HAVE PARTICULAR RESONANCE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF COLOMBIA, OFTEN DISPLAYING DISTINCTIVELY COLOMBIAN MEALS, BIRTHDAY TABLES OR REFERENCES TO OTHER OCCASIONS CELEBRATED IN THAT COUNTRY.

THE MEMORIAL ART GALLERY PRESENTS 'FASHIONING KIMONO: ART DECO AND MODERNISM IN JAPAN'


WELL INTO THE LAST CENTURY, JAPAN'S TRADITIONAL NATIONAL DRESS, THE KIMONO, WAS WORN BY MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL SOCIAL CLASSES. DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE IN CONCEPT, A ONE-PIECE, FRONT WRAP GARMENT WITH A STRAIGHT SILHOUETTE, THE KIMONO LENT ITSELF TO ENDLESS VARIATIONS IN COLOUR, PATTERN AND DESIGN THAT SIGNALED AGE, GENDER, STATUS, OCCASION, EVEN THE CHANGE OF SEASONS. A NATIONALLY TOURING EXHIBITION THAT RECENTLY OPENED AT THE MEMORIAL ART GALLERY, ROCHESTER, NY, SHOWCASES NEARLY 100 EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLES FROM THE FAMED MONTGOMERY COLLECTION IN LUGANO, SWITZERLAND. FASHIONING KIMONO: ART DECO AND MODERNISM IN JAPAN BRINGS TOGETHER EVERYDAY GARMENTS; INTRICATELY EMBROIDERED CEREMONIAL ROBES; BOYS' KIMONO STENCILED WITH CARS, AIRPLANES AND BATTLESHIPS; AND COLOURFUL ART DECO PATTERNS HERALDING THE EMERGENCE OF JAPAN'S 'NEW WOMAN'. ALL WERE CREATED BETWEEN THE 1890s AND THE 1950s, A DYNAMIC PERIOD WHEN TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN SILK MAKING AND THE INFLUENCE OF WESTERN STYLES RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION OF BOLD AND VIBRANT DESIGNS. THIS PERIOD WAS ALSO TO BE THE LAST ERA OF THE 'LIVING KIMONO'. AFTER WORLD WAR II, MORE AFFORDABLE WESTERN CLOTHING BECAME THE NORM, THOUGH THE KIMONO CONTINUES TO BE WORN FOR FORMAL EVENTS SUCH AS WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS, AND INCREASINGLY AS A FASHION STATEMENT.

31.1.10

PRINCE HARRY PROMOTES CHARITY IN BARBADOS


PRINCE HARRY RECENTLY ARRIVED IN BARBADOS FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT THAT WILL SEE THE ROYAL LAUNCH AN ANNUAL FUND RAISING POLO MATCH. THE 25 YEAR OLD PRINCE WAS GREETED BY PAUL BRUMMELL, THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER, AS HE STEPPED FROM A SCHEDULED BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHT FOR HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE COUNTRY. DRESSED IN A DARK SUIT AND RED TIE, HE LOOKED RELAXED AS HE MET OFFICIALS IN THE DIPLOMATIC LOUNGE AT THE GRANTLEY ADAMS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. HE JOKED WITH THE DIGNITARIES ASKING BERTIE HINDS, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE: 'AN I ALLOWED IN THE COUNTRY, DO YOU NEED MY PAPERS?' THE PRINCE WILL TAKE PART IN THE INAUGURAL SENTEBALE POLO CUP AT THE EXCLUSIVE APES HILL POLO CLUB ON SUNDAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR HIS CHARITY SENTEBALE WHICH HELPS ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE LAND-LOCKED KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. DURING HIS TIME ON THE CARIBBEAN, THE YOUNG ROYAL WILL ALSO ATTEND A FUND RAISING CONCERT AND A SEPARATE DINNER IN AID OF THE HUMANITARIAN EFFORT IN HAITI. THE PRINCE HAS DESCRIBED THE FUTURE OF LESOTHO'S YOUNGSTERS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE LOST THEIR PARENTS TO HIV OR AIDS, AS 'VERY BLEAK' IN A YOUTUBE VIDEO MESSAGE POSTED LAST MONTH. IN THE BROADCAST POSTED ON THE YOUTUBE-HOSTED ROYAL CHANNEL, HARRY SAID HE WAS PROUD OF THE WORK HIS ORGANIZATION HAD ACHIEVED SINCE BEING SET UP FOUR YEARS AGO. HE ADDED: 'WITHOUT HELP, THE FUTURE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY AND ITS UNIQUE PEOPLE IS VERY BLEAK. WE BELIEVE SENTEBALE CAN CHANGE THIS.' HARRY FOUNDED SENTEBALE IN 2006 WITH LESOTHO'S PRINCE SEEISO AFTER SPENDING PART OF HIS GAP YEAR IN THE KINGDOM WHICH IS LOCATED WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA. MORE THAN 3,000 OF LESOTHO'S ORPHANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE YOUNGSTERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN HELPED BY SENTEBALE.

QUEEN'S GALLERY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE, TO PRESENT 'VICTORIA & ALBERT: ART & LOVE'


THE ROYAL FAMILY, AN UNPOSED PAINTING BY FRANZ XAVER WINTERHALTER FROM 1846 WHICH DEPICTS VICTORIA AS BOTH QUEEN AND MOTHER WITH HER CHILDREN GATHERED AROUND HER, HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ITS BERTH IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE'S EAST GALLERY. THE OIL ON CANVAS WORK, COMMISSIONED BY VICTORIA, IS ONE OF THE PRIME EXHIBITS IN THE FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION VICTORIA & ALBERT: ART & LOVE AT THE QUEEN'S GALLERY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE. THE EXHIBITION, INCLUDING MORE THAN 400 ITEMS FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION, AIMS TO CHALLENGE THE IMAGE OF VICTORIA AS A MELANCHOLY WIDOW, REVEALING HER AS A PASSIONATE YOUNG WOMAN. THE EXHIBITION WILL CELEBRATE 'ONE OF HISTORY'S GREAT LOVE STORIES' AND REFLECT THE ROYAL COUPLE'S MUTUAL DELIGHT IN COLLECTING AND SHOWING OFF ARTWORKS. AROUND A THIRD OF THE OBJECTS IN THE EXHIBITION WERE EXCHANGED AS GIFTS BETWEEN THE PAIR. THEY WERE REGULAR VISITORS TO THE ANNUL ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION AND FREQUENTLY MADE PURCHASES. VICTORIA AND ALBERT WERE ALSO IMPORTANT PATRONS AND COLLECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND LENT THEIR SUPPORT TO THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1853. THEY COMMISSIONED HUNDREDS OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND HOUSEHOLD, AS WELL AS CAPTURING PLACES THEY HAD VISITED TOGETHER. WINTERHALTER'S PAINTING WAS INTENDED TO HANG AT THE FAMILY RETREAT OF OSBORNE HOUSE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT. IT WAS EXHIBITED IN 1847 AT ST JAMES'S PALACE, WHERE IT WAS SEEN BY 100,000 PEOPLE. HOWEVER, THE PICTURE WAS NOT WELL RECEIVED BY SOME OF THE PRESS, WHO CRITICIZED ITS 'SENSUOUS AND FLESHY' CHARACTER. VICTORIA & ALBERT: ART & LOVE OPENS ON 19.MARCH AND RUNS UNTIL 31.OCTOBER AT THE QUEEN'S GALLERY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.royalcollection.org.uk.