31.7.10

EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE SENATE RENDERINGS UNVEILED


THE EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE SENATE RECENTLY UNVEILED THE STUNNING RENDERINGS FOR ITS ROUGHLY $60 MILLION SITE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BREAK GROUND IN DORCHESTER, MA, THIS FALL. THE INSTITUTE WILL BE LOCATED NEXT TO THE JOHN F KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT BOSTON CAMPUS. THE TWO-STORY, 44,000 SQUARE FOOT INSTITUTE WAS DESIGNED BY NEW YORK-BASED ARCHITECT RAFAEL VINOLY. VINOLY'S WORK INCLUDES THE TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM, THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART AND THE ABU DHABI CAMPUS FOR NEW YORK UNIVERSITY. BOSTON CONTRACTOR LEE KENNEDY HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BUILD THE INSTITUTE, WHICH IS SLATED FOR A 2013 OPENING. THE INSTITUTE HOPES TO RAISE $125 MILLION TO COVER THE BUILDING EXPENSES AND START AN ENDOWMENT, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE PROJECT SAID IN A RECENT INTERVIEW. THE LATE SENATOR'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN HAS DONATED NEARLY $3.5 MILLION TO THE SITE, WHICH IS PARTIALLY FUNDED WITH FEDERAL EARMARKS. PLANS FOR THE INSTITUTE INCLUDE AN EXHIBIT HALL, SENATE CHAMBER REPRESENTATION, REPLICA OF KENNEDY'S OFFICE, SEVERAL CLASSROOMS, DIGITAL LIBRARY AND ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES AND EXHIBIT HALL.

30.7.10

PAIR OF CHINESE VASES SELLS FOR £500,000


A PAIR OF CHINESE VASES ONCE USED AS ORNAMENTS IN A PENSIONERS' BEDROOM HAVE RECENTLY SOLD AT AUCTION FOR HALF A MILLION POUNDS. FOR YEARS THEY HAD BEEN LEFT SITTING ON A BEDROOM SHELF AND A NOT GIVEN A SECOND THOUGHT. THE QIANLONG DYNASTY PORCELAIN PIECES WERE GIVEN AS A WEDDING PRESENT BY THE OWNERS FATHER AND NO ONE KNEW THEIR TRUE VALUE. JUST 10 INCHES HIGH, THE IMPERIAL VASES HAD A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF BETWEEN £40,000 AND £60,000. BUT IN A HUSHED SALEROOM THEY SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF ALMOST £500,000 TO A FOREIGN BIDDER ON THE TELEPHONE. THE VASES WERE DISCOVERED BY CHANCE AFTER THE OWNERS INVITED AN ANTIQUE EXPERT TO THEIR MODEST HOME TO VALUE A FEW OTHER ITEMS. HE DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE REST OF THE HOUSE AND IT WAS THEN THAT HE SPOTTED THE VASES PERCHED ON THE UPSTAIRS BEDROOM SHELF. THERE WAS SUCH A BUZZ ABOUT THE ITEMS THAT TEN PHONE LINES WERE SET UP FOR OVERSEAS BIDDERS IN ADDITION TO HUGE INTEREST IN THE ROOM AT DUKE'S AUCTION HOUSE IN DORCHESTER, DORSET. THE MARKET FOR CHINESE ITEMS OF HIGH QUALITY HAS BOOMED IN RECENT YEARS DUE TO THE INCREDIBLE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IN CHINA. SOME CHINESE ANTIQUES ARE WORTH MORE FIVE TIMES AS MUCH AS THEY WERE JUST THREE YEARS AGO. THESE PARTICULAR VASES, WHICH ARE HIGHLY DECORATED, WERE PROBABLY MADE AT THE PALACE WORKSHOPS DURING THE MID 18th CENTURY. THEY ARE IN THE TIBETAN STYLE IN BRIGHT COLOURS WITH THE VAJIXIANG, EIGHT BUDDHIST EMBLEMS, DIVIDED BY LOTUS FLOWERS. THE FLOWERS ARE SET AMONG SCROLLING, LEAFY TENDRILS ABOVE A BAND OF LAPPETS AND THE BOTTOM IS MARKED WITH THE SEAL OF QIANLONG. THE ANONYMOUS OWNERS, AFTER HEARING OF THE PRICE PAID FOR THEIR CASES, SAID: 'WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED AND ARE DEFINITELY GOING ON HOLIDAY. THIS HAS TRANSFORMED OUR RETIREMENT.'

HISTORIC PERA PALACE TO REOPEN


IT WAS THE LAST STOP ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, A GRAND HOTEL WITH ISTANBUL'S FIRST ELECTRIC ELEVATOR WHERE ARTISTS AND ARISTOCRATS SIPPED CHAMPAGNE BENEATH CHANDELIERS AS THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE DISSOLVED AND THE WORLD DRIFTED TOWARD TO WAR. MATA HARI, ACCUSED OF SPYING AND EXECUTED IN FRANCE IN 1917, STAYED AT THE PERA PALACE HOTEL. AGATHA CHRISTIE IS SAID TO HAVE CRAFTED 'MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS' IN ROOM 411. THEN, LIKE THE EMPIRE IT OUTLIVED, THE HOTEL SLID INTO DECAY. ON 1.SEPTEMBER, THE STATE-OWNED PERA PALACE WILL REOPEN AFTER A TWO-YEAR RESTORATION THAT COST OVER $30 MILLION, SEEKING TO CAPTURE THE LOST SPARKLE OF WHAT WAS ONE OF ISTANBUL'S MOST PROMINENT LANDMARKS. IT IS NO LONGER THE LONE LUXURY HOTEL ON THE HILL ABOVE THE GOLDEN HORN INLET. THE FORMER OTTOMAN CAPITAL TEEMS WITH HIGH-END ACCOMMODATION, SOME IN RESTORED IMPERIAL MANSIONS ALONG THE BOSPORUS STRAIT THAT DIVIDED THE ASIAN AND EUROPEAN CONTINENTS. PINAR KARTAL TIMER, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE PERA PALACE, BELIEVES THAT THE FABLED GUESTS OF THE PAST WILL BESTOW NEW GLORY ON THE HOTEL, WHICH HELD ITS OPENING BALL IN 1895. THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE PERA PALACE WAS COMPAGNIE INTERNATIONALE DES WAGONS-LITS, WHICH OPERATED THE ORIENT EXPRESS LUXURY TRAIN LINE. A TURKISH CONGLOMERATE, THE BESIKTAS GROUP, NOW MANAGES THE HOTEL. IT HAS A MODERN SPA AND AN INDOOR POOL, AS WELL AS NEW ELEVATORS TO SUPPLEMENT THE ORIGINAL WOOD AND CAST IRON ONE. THE BUILDING IS A MIX OF STYLES DISTINCTIVE TO THE 19th CENTURY ISTANBUL, NEO-CLASSICAL, ART NOUVEAU AND ORIENTAL. ROOMS HAVE HANDWOVEN CARPETS AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE MIXED WITH THE NEW. SIXTEEN ARE SUITES NAMES AFTER GUESTS INCLUDING BRITAIN'S KING EDWARD VIII AND AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEPH I. BASIC ROOM RATES START AT $240, INCLUDING TAX AND BREAKFAST, BUT GO HIGHER IN PEAK SEASON. NOBODY WILL SLEEP IN ROOM 101. MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK, A FORMER ARMY OFFICER WHO FOUNDED TURKEY IN 1923, ONCE USED IT AS A BASE. THE ROOM WILL HOUSE A MUSEUM OF ITEMS BELONGING TO ATATURK, INCLUDING HATS, SLIPPERS AND DIGNITARIES' GIFTS.

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PERLEE COLLECTION


VAN CLEEF & ARPELS LATEST JEWELRY COLLECTION IS THEIR LIGHT-HEARTED SPIRIT OF 'PERLEE' JEWELRY COLLECTION. THE COLLECTION FOCUSES ON YOUTHFULNESS AND MODERNITY WHICH INCLUDE STRANDS OF TINY GOLDEN BEADS, REVOLUTIONIZED INTO SLIM CONTEMPORARY RINGS, BRACELETS AND EARRINGS. THE BRACELETS ARE MADE OF PINK GOLD WHILE THE REST OF TEH COLLECTION IS ASSORTED HUES OF WHITE GOLD. THE PERLEE COLLECTION WILL BE AVAILABLE AT VAN CLEEF & ARPELS IN THE FALL.

PRINCE OF WALES'S CURTAINS TO BE MADE INTO CARRIER BAGS


THE PRINCE OF WALES IS GOING TO RECYCLE HIS OLD CURTAINS INTO UNIQUE CARRIER BAGS AS PART OF A NEW CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY. VISITORS TO A 12 DAY LONG GARDEN PARTY BEING STAGED ON THE MALL IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO SEW THEIR OWN MORSBAGS OUT OF CURTAINS WHICH UNTIL RECENTLY HUNG IN CLARENCE HOUSE. THE PRINCE REGARDS THE MORSBAGS, NAMED AFTER ITS FOUNDER, CLAIRE MORSMAN, AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE WAY EVERYONE CAN REDUCE WASTE. MORSBAGS, LARGE, SQUARE SHOPPING BAGS CARRIED OVER THE SHOULDER, ARE MADE BY VOLUNTEERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND GIVEN AWAY TO THE PUBLIC TO HELP REDUCE THE MILLIONS OF PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS USED EVERY DAY. THE GARDEN PARTY IN THE GROUNDS OF CLARENCE HOUSE, WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WILL BE USED TO FORMALLY LAUNCH THE PRINCE'S START INITIATIVE, WHICH AIMS TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE LIVING. IT WILL FEATURE A WIDE RANGE OF EXHIBITS GIVING IDEAS ON HOW EVERYONE CAN CUT DOWN ON WASTE AND CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES AT HOME, IN THE GARDEN AND AT WORK. THE PRINCE SAID: 'THIS FESTIVAL AIMS TO GIVE ALL AGES A FUN DAY OUT, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, VIA THE MANY IMAGINATIVE EXHIBITS, DEMONSTRATING THE SMALL STEPS THAT CAN, AND ARE, BEING TAKEN BY ALL OF US INTERESTED IN BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.' IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THE GARDENS OF CLARENCE HOUSE HAVE BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND WILL ALSO FEATURE THE GARDENS OF THE NEIGHBORING LANCASTER HOUSE, PART OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE, AND MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, THE HOME OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT. THE GARDEN PARTY, WHICH RUNS FROM 8-19.SEPTEMBER, WILL ALSO INCLUDE MUSIC CONCERTS, DEBATES, COMEDY AND FASHION SHOWS.

ROME GRAPPLES WITH ENDLESS VANDALISM


THEY KNOCK THE NOSES OFF STATUES IN A PARK THAT WAS A FAVORITE HAUNT OF POET JOHN KEATS AND THROW DYE INTO THE ICONIC TREVI FOUNTAIN. VANDALS ARE INCREASINGLY ON THE PROWL IN THE ETERNAL CITY, AND NOW ITALIAN AUTHORITIES ARE FIGHTING BACK, SENDING MORE POLICE, INSTALLING CAMERAS AND EVEN CONSIDERING USING CONVICTS TO PROTECT MONUMENTS AND ARTWORKS. FOR TROUBLE MAKERS NOTHING IS SACRED: EARLIER THIS MONTH VANDALS LEFT ANTI-POPE GRAFFITI ON THE SCALA SANTA, OR HOLY STAIRS, A MAJOR CATHOLIC SITE THAT DRAWS PILGRIMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO CLIMB ITS 28 MARBLE STEPS ON THEIR KNEES. COMPOUNDED BY POLLUTION, NEGLIGENCE AND CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF FUNDING, VANDALISM ADDS TO THE CITY'S DIFFICULTIES IN PRESERVING ITS UNIQUE ARTISTIC HERITAGE, FORCING OFFICIALS TO USE VALUABLE FUNDS IN EMERGENCY RESTORATION. WHAT MAKES PROTECTING THE ITALIAN CAPITAL SO ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING IS THE CHEER WEALTH OF ITS TREASURES. OFFICIALS HAVE BEEFED UP POLICE PATROLS ON MONUMENTS AND PARKS, INCLUDING SENDING PLAINCLOTHES OFFICERS MINGLING WITH THE CROWD OF VISITORS, AND HAVE INSTALLED CCTV. THE AGENCY IN CHARGE OF KEEPING ROME CLEAN IS WORKING WITHE JAIL AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW FORMER INMATES OR CONVICTS RELEASED ON PAROLE TO HELP CLEAN UP VANDALIZED MONUMENTS. OFFICIALS SAY THEIR EFFORTS ARE PAYING OFF, AND THAT VANDALS ARE BEING CAUGHT THANKS TO THE CAMERAS. STILL, 'IT TAKES 30 SECONDS TO DAMAGE A MONUMENT', NOTES ROME'S TOP ART OFFICIALS.

ITALIAN OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE COLOSSEUM RESTORATION


ITALIAN OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING TO RAISE $32 MILLION IN PRIVATE MONIES TO FINANCE THE RESTORATION OF ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S ICONIC LANDMARKS: THE COLOSSEUM. THE CULTURE MINISTRY SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL ACCEPT BIDS FROM POSSIBLE SPONSORS FROM 4.AUGUST TO 15.SEPTEMBER. THE MINISTRY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT SPONSORS FUNDING THE PROJECT WILL BE ABLE TO 'PROMOTE THEIR IMAGE', BUT THAT ANY ADS WILL HAVE TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE DECORUM OD THE 2,000 YEAR OLD ARENA. OFFICIALS SAID THURSDAY THE ROME CITY HALL IS ALSO LOOKING TO CHARGE TOURISTS A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS IN TAX FOR HOTELS AND SOME MUSEUMS. THE TAX, WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT 1.JANUARY WILL APPLY TO OTHER TOURISM SERVICES AS WELL, SUCH AS DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES, BARS AND RESTAURANTS SET UP ALONG THE BANK OF THE TIBER RIVER AND TOUR BOATS, SAID MAURO CUTRUFO, DEPUTY MAYOR OF ROME. THE TAX IS EXPECTED TO BRING AN EXTRA $30 TO $50 MILLION INTO THE CITY'S PUBLIC COFFERS, HE SAID.

29.7.10

SCIENTISTS TO ASSESS CONDITION OF TITANIC


A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS WILL LAUNCH AN EXPEDITION TO THE TITANIC NEXT MONTH TO ASSESS THE DETERIORATING CONDITION OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS SHIPWRECK AND CREATE A DETAILED THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP THAT WILL 'VIRTUALLY RAISE THE TITANIC' FOR THE PUBLIC. THE EXPEDITION TO THE SITE 2½ MILES BENEATH THE NORTH ATLANTIC IS BILLED AS THE MOST ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC MISSION TO THE TITANIC WRECK SINCE ITS DISCOVERY 25 YEARS AGO. THE 20 DAY EXPEDITION IS TO LEAVE ST JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND UNDER A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RMS TITANIC INC WHICH HAS EXCLUSIVE SALVAGE RIGHTS TO THE WRECK, AND THE WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE EXPEDITION WILL NOT COLLECT ARTIFACTS BUT WILL PROBE A 2 BY 3 MILE DEBRIS FIELD WHERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ARTIFACTS REMAIN SCATTERED. ORGANIZERS SAY THE NEW SCIENTIFIC DATA AND IMAGES WILL ULTIMATELY BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. THE TITANIC STRUCK ICE AND SANK ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS ON 15.APRIL.1912, LEAVING 1,522 PEOPLE DEAD. SINCE OCEANOGRAPHER ROBERT BALLARD AND AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM DISCOVERED THE TITANIC IN 1985, MOST OF THE EXPEDITIONS HAVE EITHER BEEN TO PHOTOGRAPH THE WRECK OR GATHER THOUSANDS OF ARTIFACTS, LIKE FINE CHINA, SHOES AND SHIP FITTINGS. RMS TITANIC MADE THE LAST EXPEDITION TO THE SITE IN 2004. THE COMPANY, A SUBSIDIARY OF PREMIER EXHIBITIONS INC OF ATLANTA, CONDUCTS TRAVELING DISPLAYS OF THE TITANIC ARTIFACTS, WHICH THE COMPANY SAYS HAVE BEEN VIEWED BY TEN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.

DELTA PAYS TRIBUTE TO DALI EXHIBITION AT THE HIGH


IN CELEBRATION OF THE HIGH'S NEW EXHIBITION, 'DALI: THE LATE WORK', DELTA HAS DECKED OUT A 757 PLANE WITH A SALVADOR DALI-ESQUE MUSTACHE. THE PLANE, WHICH WENT INTO SERVICE YESTERDAY, WILL FLY DOMESTICALLY. THE HIGH INVITES TRAVELERS WHO SPOT OR RIDE ON THE PLANE TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE ON THE MUSEUM'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND ON TWITTER. DELTA AIR LINES IS THE OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART, ATLANTA. 'DALI: THE LATE WORK', THE FIRST MAJOR EXHIBITION TO REEVALUATE THE LATE HALF OF SALVADOR DALI'S CAREER, WILL BE PRESENTED EXCLUSIVELY AT THE HIGH. BEGINNING IN THE LATE 1930s, DALI WENT THROUGH A RADICAL CHANGE IN WHICH HE EMBRACED CATHOLICISM, DEVELOPED THE CONCEPT OF NUCLEAR MYSTICISM AND, IN EFFECT, REINVENTED HIMSELF AS AN ARTIST. COMPRISING MORE THAN 115 WORKS, INCLUDING PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, PRINTS AND OTHER DALI EPHEMERA, THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO EXPLORE THE ARTIST'S ENDURING FASCINATION WITH SCIENCE, OPTICAL EFFECTS AND ILLUSIONISM AS WELL AS HIS CONNECTIONS TO SUCH ARTISTS OF THE 1960s AND 1970s AS ANDY WARHOL, ROY LICHTENSTEIN AND WILLEM DE KOONING. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE SEVERAL WORKS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SEEN IN THE US IN 50 YEARS, INCLUDING THE MONUMENTAL 'CHRIST OF ST JOHN OF THE CROSS', WHICH WAS VOTED SCOTLAND'S FAVORITE PAINTING IN 2007, AND 'SANTAIGO EL GRANDE', WHICH HAS NOT LEFT NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA, SINCE 1959. DESIGNED AS AN ALTARPIECE, THIS PAINTING INCLUDES DALI'S VISION OF THE CRUCIFIXION, AN HOMAGE TO SAINT JAMES (THE PATRON SAINT OF SPAIN) AND AN ATOMIC EXPLOSION. THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO FEATURE 'ASSUMPTA CORPUSCULARIA LAPISLAZULINA' FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN SPAIN, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN SEEN PUBLICLY SINCE 1959.

28.7.10

MEXICAN OFFICIALS RECOVER VAST COLLECTION OF CULTURAL ARTIFACTS


THE LARGEST RECOVERY OF CULTURAL PROPERTY THAT HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY REMOVED FROM CHURCHES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE COUNTRY, SOME FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS, WAS UNVEILED RECENTLY BY OFFICIALS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC. THERE ARE 14 COLONIAL RELIGIOUS ART WORKS AND 144 ORIGINAL PRE-COLOMBIAN PIECES, PLUS ANOTHER 36 THAT ARE FALSE. A SELECTION OF CULTURAL ARTIFACTS RESCUED WAS PRESENTED TO THE MEDIA AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND MUSEOLOGY, WHICH SPECIFIED THAT THE RESTITUTION OF THE OBJECTS OF INESTIMABLE HISTORICAL VALUE, WAS MADE AFTER THREE SEARCHES SO FAR IN 2010 IN JALISCO, TLAXCALA AND MEXICO CITY.

RALPH LAUREN BIG PONY FRAGRANCE COLLECTION


RALPH LAUREN RECENTLY LAUNCHED A UNIQUE NEW LINE OF MEN'S FRAGRANCES ENTITLED THE BIG PONY COLLECTION. THE COLLECTION TAKES ITS INSPIRATION FROM THE DESIGNER'S BIG PONY BIG PONY EMBROIDERED WITH AN OVERSIZED VERSION OF RALPH LAUREN'S ICONIC SIGNATURE POLO-PLAYER LOGO. THE COLLECTION COMPRISES FOUR STUNNING SCENTS, LABELED ONE TO FOUR, REPRESENTING FOUR KEY PASSIONS: SPORT, SEDUCTION, ADVENTURE AND STYLE. THE NUMBER FOUR HAS AN ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, AS IT IS THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON A POLO TEAM. SPORT IS CITRUS AROMATIC, WITH REFRESHING LIME AND GRAPEFRUIT NOTES TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF THE PERFORMANCE. THE SEDUCTIVE FRAGRANCE IS A SEXY MIX OF DARK CHOCOLATE AND MUSK WITH ORIENTAL LAYERS. THE GREEN ADVENTUROUS BOTTLE IS A THRILLING WOODY MIX OF MINT AND GINGER ROOT THAT TRIGGERS AN ADRENALINE RUSH. AND LASTLY, THE STYLISH SCENT IS AN ENERGIZING BOOST THAT LAYERS MANDARIN AND KYARAWOOD FOR A ONE OF A KIND STYLISH EDGE. THE RALPH LAUREN BIG PONY COLLECTION FRAGRANCE COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE IN 75 AND 125 ml EAU DE TOILETTE.

THE QUEEN OPENS HER PHOTOGRAPHS TO TEH WORLD ON FLICKR


YET ANOTHER SIGN OF THE QUEEN'S DETERMINATION TO MASTER NEW TECHNOLOGY. AFTER EMBRACING YOUTUBE AND TWITTER, BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS LAUNCHED A NEW FLICKR ACCOUNT RECENTLY CONTAINING MORE THAN 600 PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AT WORK AND PLAY. SOME OF THE RARELY PUBLISHED IMAGES OF THE QUEEN, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL, PRINCE WILLIAM, PRINCE HARRY AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL DATE BACK WELL OVER A CENTURY, WHILE OTHERS WILL BE FROM AS RECENTLY AS THE QUEEN'S TOUR OF CANADA AND HER VISIT TO NEW YORK EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE MONARCHY'S NEW FLICKR ACCOUNT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE, CLARENCE HOUSE AND ST JAMES'S PALACE. PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ROYAL ARCHIVE MASTERPIECES OF EARLY BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTED BY QUEEN VICTORIA AND PRINCE ALBERT IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19th CENTURY. IN ALL, THERE ARE 28 DIFFERENT SETS OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE THEMES INCLUDE THE QUEEN AND THE COMMONWEALTH, ROYAL EVENTS AND CEREMONIES, AND LATEST NEWS AND DIARY. THE QUEEN IS SAID TO BE 'VERY ENTHUSIASTIC' ABOUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES AND HAS PERSONALLY APPROVED THE RELEASE OF ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHS FEATURING MOMENTOUS AND TOUCHING MOMENTS IN ROYAL HISTORY. THOSE CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO IS 84, HAVE TOLD HOW, ENCOURAGED BY HER GRANDCHILDREN, SHE HAS LONG BEEN KEEN TO LEARN ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY. SHE HAS HER OWN PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS, 'SURFS' THE WEB AND USES A MOBILE PHONE. A SPOKESMAN FOR BUCKINGHAM PALACE SAID: 'THE (FLICKR) LAUNCH IS TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE SUMMER OPENING OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE, AS THE SITE HIGHLIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHS SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED FOR THE PALACE'S EXHIBITION, THE QUEEN'S YEAR, WHICH OPENS ON 27.JULY.'
FOR MORE VISIT www.flickr.com/britishmonarchy

27.7.10

PAINTING AT CENTER OF CARAVAGGIO MYSTERY UNVEILED


ART OFFICIALS ON TUESDAY UNVEILED THE PAINTING AT THE CENTER OF THE LATEST CARAVAGGIO MYSTERY, AFTER THE VATICAN NEWSPAPER FIRST SUGGESTED AND THEN DENIED THAT THE CANVAS WAS THE WORK OF THE ITALIAN MASTER. THE 'MARTYRDOM OF ST LAWRENCE' WILL NOW BE SUBJECTED TO X-RAYS AND OTHER ANALYSIS TO ASCERTAIN ITS ATTRIBUTION. BUT ART OFFICIALS AND SCHOLARS ATTENDING THE UNVEILING AGREED THE PAINTING DID NOT LOOK LIKE A CARAVAGGIO, BUT RATHER LIKE THE WORK OF ONE OR MORE OF HIS FOLLOWERS. 'IT'S A VERY INTERESTING PAINTING BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN RULE OUT, AT LEAST FOR NOW, THAT IT'S A CARAVAGGIO', SAID ART SUPERINTENDENT ROSSELLA VODRET. 'THE QUALITY OF THE PAINTING DOESN'T HOLD UP.' VODRET THEATRICALLY OPENED THE CURTAIN ON THE PAINTING IN A JESUIT CHURCH IN ROME, REVEALING A CANVAS DOMINATED BY A FIGURE OF ST LAWRENCE BEING GRILLED TO DEATH, HIS THREE EXECUTIONERS IN THE BACKGROUND. THE 183 BY 130.5 CENTIMETER PAINTING WAS RECENTLY CLEANED AND FEATURES THE DRAMATIC CHIAROSCURO TYPICAL OF CARAVAGGIO AND HIS SCHOOL. THE PAINTING WILL NOT BE ON PUBLIC DISPLAY. THE VATICAN NEWSPAPER, L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO, SET THE ART WORLD AFLUTTER LAST WEEK WITH A FRONT PAGE ARTICLE HEADLINED 'A NEW CARAVAGGIO'. THE ARTICLE MADE CLEAR THAT NO CERTAIN ATTRIBUTION HAD BEEN MADE AND THAT FURTHER TESTS WERE REQUIRED. BUT THE DEFINITIVE-SOUNDING HEADLINE AND THE FACT THAT THE CLAIM WAS MADE ON THE DAY MARKING THE 400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASTER'S DEATH HAD RAISED EXPECTATIONS. THE VATICAN HAS IN THE PAST ANNOUNCED SUCH ART-WORLD NEWS IN L'OSSERVATORE, SOMETIMES COINCIDING WITH AN ANNIVERSARY. BUT ON MONDAY, THE NEWSPAPER REVERSED ITSELF AND PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE BY THE VATICAN'S TOP ART HISTORIAN SHOOTING DOWN THE CLAIM. UNDER THE FRONT PAGE HEADLINE 'A NEW CARAVAGGIO? NOT REALLY?', VATICAN MUSEUMS CHIEF ANTONIO PAOLUCCI WROTE THAT THE WORK WAS NOT OF CARAVAGGIO'S QUALITY AND TERMED IT 'MODEST' AT BEST. THE TESTS ON THE 'MARTYRDOM OS ST LAWRENCE' WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER, ACCOMPANIED BY RESEARCH OF ARCHIVES AND DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO TRACE THE HISTORY OF THE PAINTING AND WHO COMMISSIONED IT. THE RESEARCH WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS.

CHOPARD HAPPY SPORT XL


FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS THE ICONIC CHOPARD HAPPY SPORT LINE HAS APPEALED TO THOSE WITH A TASTE FOR DARING, CONTEMPORARY TIMEPIECES. THE LATEST CREATION TO THE COLLECTION, THE HAPPY SPORT XL, TAKES A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS CLASSIC MODERNITY AND UNIQUE ORIGINALITY. YET IT REMAINS FAITHFUL TO THE VERY ESSENCE OF HAPPY SPORT MODELS: A RESOLUTELY CASUAL CHIC APPEARANCE LIT BY THE PRESENCE OF THE FAMOUS FLOATING 'HAPPY DIAMONDS'. THE CASE, IN STAINLESS STEEL, MEASURES 42mm. IT HAS A SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL, AND IS WATER RESISTANT TO 30 METERS. DIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN BLUE, CORAL AND GREEN MOTHER OF PEARL, WITH FIVE FLOATING DIAMONDS. PRICES BEGIN AT $7,230.

BOWES MUSEUM PRESENTS LORD CHESTEFIELD'S PANELING


ONE OF THE TREASURES OF THE BOWES MUSEUM'S SEQUENCE OF PERIOD PANELING WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED AS A OBJECT OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST. EVERY THURSDAY AT 2.30 CURATOR HOWARD COUTTS WILL REVEAL THE STORY BEHIND A SEGMENT OF PANELING FROM A LONDON TOWNHOUSE BUILT FOR PHILIP DORMER STANHOPE, 4th EARL OF CHESTERFIELD. CHESTERFIELD, BEST KNOWN FOR HIS LETTERS TO HIS (ILLEGITIMATE) SON, GIVING ADVISE ON HOW TO BEHAVE AND GET ON WITH SOCIETY, WAS ALSO AN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT WHO DESIRED A HOUSE FULLY UP TO DATE IN STYLE. HIS HOUSE WAS THE FIRST IN ENGLAND TO SHOW THE ORNATE ROCOCO STYLE IMPORTED FROM FRANCE IN THE MID 18th CENTURY. COUTTS, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE HOUSE AND ABOUT 'POLITE SOCIETY' IN LONDON DURING THAT PERIOD, SAID: 'THERE IS MUCH SENSE IN CHESTERFIELD'S LETTERS, BUT ALSO MUCH CALCULATION ON CREATING THE BEST IMPRESSION ON ONE'S SOCIAL SUPERIORS.' CHESTERFIELD HOUSE WAS DEMOLISHED IN 1937 AND PARTS OF THE ANTE-ROOM WERE BROUGHT TO SUNDERLAND. THE PANELING WAS PRESENTED BY SIR NICHOLAS WILLIAMSON OF WHITBURN HALL IN 1968. IT FORMS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE MUSEUM'S NEW GALLERIES DEVOTED TO ENGLISH INTERIORS 1500-1900. WITH OVER 30,000 ITEMS IN THE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO DISCOVER. THE IDEA OF AN OBJECT OF THE MONTH IS VIEWED AS A WAY OF HIGHLIGHTING ITEMS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE OVERSHADOWED BY MORE FAMILIAR TREASURES. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS AN IDEAL WAY OF RAISING AWARENESS OF THOSE OBJECTS IN AN INTERESTING ANS INFORMATIVE MANNER.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

BONHAMS TO HOLD SECOND FINE WRITING INSTRUMENTS SALE


FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF BONHAMS NEW YORK'S JUNE SALE OF FINE WRITING INSTRUMENTS, THE AUCTIONEERS WILL PRESENT ANOTHER EXCITING FINE PEN SALE ON 19.AUGUST. CONSISTING OF JUST OVER 400 LOTS, THE SALE WILL INCLUDE RARE, LIMITED EDITIONS PENS BY MONTBLANC, DUNHILL AND LOIMINCHAY AS WELL AS FEATURE A NUMBER OF DUNHILL-NAMIKI PENS EXEMPLIFYING THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE TWO ICONIC MAKERS. AMONGST THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER LOTS WILL BE DUNHILL-NAMIKI LAKE BIWA MAKI-E FOUNTAIN PEN. THIS ARTIST SIGNED VINTAGE MAKI-E FOUNTAIN PEN COMBINES SEVERAL OF THE FINEST JAPANESE LACQUER TECHNIQUES AND IS THE RESULT OF THE FAMOUS 1930s COLLABORATION BETWEEN DUNHILL AND NAMIKI. EXTREMELY RARE, THE OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE IS ESTIMATED AT $15,000 TO $30,000. ALSO OF INTEREST WILL BE A DUNHILL-NAMIKI MOTORITES MAKI-E LIMITED EDITION FOUNTAIN PEN. DETAILED IN GOLD DUST AND MOTHER OF PEARL RADEN, THE DESIGN INCORPORATES WHEELS AND FLAMES IN HONOR OF DUNHILL'S ORIGINAL EARLY 1900s 'DUNHILL MOTORITES' LINE OF AUTOMOBILE ACCESSORIES. LIMITED EDITION 09/25, THE PEN IS OFFERED WITH ALL ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND PAPERS AND CARRIES AN ESTIMATE OF $20,000 TO $30,000. ROUNDING OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SALE IS A KRONE PINK STINGRAY LIMITED EDITION FOUNTAIN PEN. RECALLING TROPICAL BEACHES, THE PEN IS MADE IN STERLING SILVER WITH GENUINE PINK STINGRAY CAP WITH PINK DIAMONDS ENCIRCLING THE CAP AND SURMOUNTING THE TOP. LIMITED EDITION 3/8, THE PEN IS ESTIMATED AT $8,000 TO $10,000. PREVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE AT BONHAMS' NEW YORK FROM 16.AUGUST TO 18.AUGUST.

26.7.10

KING TUT'S CHARIOT TO PRESENTED AT NEW YORK EXHIBITION


A HUMBLE CHARIOT THAT MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN KING TUT'S DEATH IS CURRENTLY TRAVELING TO THE HIGHLY-PUBLICIZED EXHIBITION DISPLAYING THE BOY PHARAOH'S FINERY AT THE DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE EXPOSITION, NEW YORK, THE FIRST TIME THAT THE MYSTERIOUS 3,300 YEAR OLD ARTIFACT HAS LEFT EGYPT. THREADBARE AND WORN IN APPEARANCE, THE CHARIOT WAS DISCOVERED BY ARCHEOLOGIST HOWARD CARTER AFTER HIS FIRST REOPENED TUT'S TOMB IN 1922, AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTABLE FOR ITS SLIGHTNESS AND LACK OF REFINEMENT AMID THE ANTECHAMBER'S MORE DELUXE OBJECTS, WHICH INCLUDED THREE OTHER CHARIOTS. ZAHI HAWASS, SECRETARY GENERAL OF EGYPT'S SUPREME COUNCIL OF ANTIQUITIES, PREVIOUSLY TOLD ONLINE ART-SOURCE MAGAZINE ARTINFO THAT HE BELIEVES THE CHARIOT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT BEFELL THE BOY KING MERE HOURS BEFORE HE DIED, AND MAY HAVE LED TO HIS PREMATURE DEATH AT THE AGE OF 18. 'I THOUGHT THAT TO BRING THE CHARIOT WOULD BE GOOD EVIDENCE TO SHOW PEOPLE', HE SAID. HAWASS BELIEVES THE VEHICLE'S MODEST CONSTRUCTION SUGGESTS IT WAS USED FOR EXERCISE, OR POSSIBLY HUNTING. THE TUT SHOW, WHICH OPENED IN TIMES SQUARE THIS APRIL AND RUNS THROUGH 2.JANUARY.2011, IS THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE 1979 EXHIBITION OF THE PHARAOH'S RAIMENT AT THE MET THAT USHERED IN THE AGE OF THE MUSEUM BLOCKBUSTER.

QUEEN AND THE ROYAL FAMILY ON ISLAND CRUISE


THE QUEEN USED TO ADORE HER ANNUAL CRUISES AROUND THE WESTERN ISLES OF SCOTLAND ABOARD THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA AND WEPT WHEN THE SHIP WAS DECOMMISSIONED IN 1997. THOSE DAYS SEEMED DESTINED TO BE MORE THAN A MEMORY, BUT SO KEEN WAS SHE TO REPEAT THE EXPERIENCE THAT SHE HAS SPENT AN ESTIMATED £200,000 CHARTERING A NEW CRUISE FOR HER CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, NEPHEWS AND NIECES. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP WILL BE TWO PARTIES TO CELEBRATE THE 60th BIRTHDAY OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL NEXT MONTH AND THE 50th BIRTHDAY OF THE DUKE OF YORK EARLIER THIS YEAR. BATHED IN GLORIOUS SUNSHINE, AN EXCITED ROYAL FAMILY ARRIVED EN MASSE AT STORNOWAY ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS TO BEGIN THEIR HOLIDAY. THE QUEEN DRESSED IN A LIME GREEN TROUSER SUIT AND PASTEL HEADSCARF, BOARDED THE LUXURY HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS, WHICH WILL BE THEIR HOME FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS. SHE WAS JOINED BY THE DUKE OF YORK AND HIS DAUGHTERS, PRINCESS EUGENIE AND BEATRICE, WHO BOTH APPEARED SUN-TANNED AND WERE BOTH DRESSED IN SHORT, DARK SKIRTS. THE PRINCESS ROYAL, BOARDED WITH A BACKPACK AND WEARING CREAM TROUSERS AND A JACKET, FOLLOWED BY HER HUSBAND, VICE-ADMIRAL TIM LAURENCE, WHO WAS CARRYING TWO BAGS. VISCOUNT LINLEY, PRINCESS MARGARET'S SON, WAS PRESENT WITH HIS WIFE SERENA STANHOPE AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN, CHARLES AND MARGARITA. THE VISCOUNT'S SISTER, LADY SARAH CHATTO, HER HUSBAND, DANIEL, AND THEIR SONS, SAMUEL AND ARTHUR, APPEARED CHEERFUL AS THE BOARDED. THE HON MARY MORRISON, THE QUEEN'S LADY IN WAITING AND ONE OF HER CLOSEST CONFIDANTES WAS ONE OF A FEW ROYAL SERVANTS. SHE BOARDED CARRYING LUGGAGE, TWO ITEMS OF WHICH WERE SIMPLY MARKED 'THE QUEEN' IN BLOCK LETTERS. AMONG THOSE TO JOIN THE TRIP LATER ARE THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, PRINCE EDWARD AND THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX, WITH THEIR CHILDREN, AND PETER PHILIPS AND HIS WIFE, AUTUMN. THE QUEEN WAS HALF AN HOUR LATE BOARDING BUT SHE GAVE A CHEERY WAVE TO HUNDREDS OF CHEERING PASSENGERS ON A NEARBY FERRY THAT WAS HEADING ULLAPOOL. THE HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS IS A FORMER CAR FERRY BUT, AFTER AN EXTENSIVE REFIT, NOW BOASTS 30 LUXURY CABINS AND SUITES. THE SHIP'S ITINERARY IS BEING KEPT SECRET BUT THE QUEEN HAS A FAVORITE PICNIC BEACH ON THE REMOTE ISLAND OF COLONSAY AND ANOTHER SCARISTA ON HARRIS IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES. IT WILL END WITH A VISIT TO THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER'S HOME AT THE CASTLE OF MEY ON THE NORTHERN COAST OF CAITHNESS AT AROUND THE TIME OF THE 110th ANNIVERSARY OF HER BIRTH. THE QUEEN AND THE OTHER ROYAL HOLIDAYMAKERS WILL COME ASHORE TO BE ENTERTAINED TO LUNCH AT THE CASTLE BY THE PRINCE OF WALES AND HIS WIFE, BEFORE HEADING ON TO BALMORAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF HER SUMMER BREAK.

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM PRESENTS 'GRACE KELLY: STYLE ICON'


YOU'D BETTER HURRY IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE HATS, SHOES, DRESSES AND IMMACULATE GLOVES THAT WERE AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE STYLE WHICH MADE GRACE KELLY A FASHION BEACON FOR MILLIONS OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. THE 'GRACE KELLY: STYLE ICON' EXHIBITION AT LONDON'S VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSING ITS DOORS IN SEPTEMBER, SO THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO SEE THE CLOTHES, MEMENTOS AND VIDEOS WHICH REPLAY THE LIFE OF HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY TURNED REAL-LIFE PRINCESS. SET IN THE MUSEUM'S FASHION SECTION, THE SHOW HOLDS MORE THAN 35 OF KELLY'S OUTFITS MADE BY FAMOUS DESIGNERS SUCH AS EDITH HEAD, HELEN ROSE, YVES SAINT LAURENT AND MANY OF KELLY'S PERSONAL FAVORITE, CHRISTIAN DIOR. BALL GOWNS IN SILK CHIFFON BY DIOR AND TRAVEL SUITS IN WOOL BY COCO CHANEL ARE MATCHED WITH FILM POSTERS FROM OLD MOVIES SUCH AS 'TO CATCH A THIEF'. PICTURES AND MAGAZINE COVERS DEPICT KELLY STARRING IN FILMS ALONGSIDE THE TOP LEADING MEN OF THE DAY LIKE CARY GRANT, BING CROSBY OR CLARK GABLE, AND WINNING AN ACADEMY AWARD AND FLOATING UP ON THE RED CARPET. EACH GARMENT IS PLACED IN CATEGORIES SUCH AS EVENING WEAR OR TRAVEL SUITS IN GROUPS IN GLASS CASES, COMPLETE WITH PICTURES OF KELLY WEARING THE ITEM AND A FULL ANALYSIS INCLUDING DESIGNER DETAILS, DATE AND FABRIC. SOME CASES HIGHLIGHT KELLY'S ACCESSORIES, INCLUDING ONE WITH THE STILL SOUGHT-AFTER 'KELLY' BAG MADE FROM LUXURY RETAILER HERMES. OTHER ACCESSORIES INCLUDE SILK CLUTCHES, BAGS MADE WITH CROCODILE SKIN, A COLLECTION OF KELLY'S SUNGLASSES AND SOME OF HER SIGNATURE HATS, INCLUDING THOSE WORN TO THE GLAMOROUS FANCY DRESS BALLS SHE AND RAINIER THREW IN THE HEYDAYS OF MONACO'S POPULARITY DURING THE 1960s AND 70s. A PLATINUM AND DIAMOND TIARA IS THE TOP HIGHLIGHT IN A CASE FULL OF KELLY'S JEWELRY, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES BROOCHES AND RINGS FESTOONED WITH DIAMONDS, RUBIES, EMERALDS AND SAPPHIRES.

25.7.10

HISTORIC MOULIN ROUGE HOTEL SET TO BE DEMOLISHED



WORKERS ON THURSDAY DEMOLISHED THE TOWER OF THE FIRST RACIALLY INTEGRATED CASINO IN LAS VEGAS, ONLY ONE DAY AFTER CITY OFFICIALS TURNED DOWN AN APPEAL OF ITS OWNERS' DEMOLITION PERMIT. THE WHITE TOWER OF THE MOULIN ROUGE HOTEL-CASINO, WHICH OPENED IN 1955 AND PLAYED HOST TO HEADLINERS INCLUDING SAMMY DAVIS JR, NAT 'KING' COLE AND FRANK SINATRA, WAS PULLED DOWN BY CABLES AFTER INITIAL ATTEMPTS FAILED AND THE STRUCTURE RESISTED. 'TO THEM, IT'S BLIGHT. TO ME, IT'S HISTORY', SAID PAT HERSHWITZKY, SECRETARY FOR A GROUP TRYING TO PRESERVE AS MUCH OF THE MOULIN ROUGE AND ITS HISTORY AS POSSIBLE. THE MOULIN ROUGE IS LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES. HERSHWITZKY SAID SHE PLANNED TO ASK CITY OFFICIALS AND SITE OWNERS OLYMPIC COAST INVESTMENT INC TO SAVE AS MUCH OF WHAT'S LEFT OF THE SITE AS POSSIBLE. SHE SAID HER GROUP WOULD TRY TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO HOUSE THE CASINO'S REMAINING ARTIFACTS. THE CASINO MADE ITS MARK IN VEGAS HISTORY DESPITE ONLY STAYING OPEN SIX MONTHS IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE CITY. IN 1960, IT HOSTED A MEETING WHERE HOTEL OWNERS AGREED TO DESEGREGATE THEA LAS VEGAS STRIP, ALLOWING THE FIRST BLACK GUESTS. THE MEETING CAME THE NIGHT BEFORE A CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH, WHEN NEVADA WAS STILL KNOWN AS THE MISSISSIPPI OF THE WEST. AFTER THAT, THE HOTEL ROOMS WERE CONVERTED INTO APARTMENTS, AND THE PROPERTY FELL INTO DISREPAIR OVER THE NEXT 40 YEARS. A 2003 FIRE HURT THREE PEOPLE, DISPLACED MORE THAN 100 RESIDENTS AND DESTROYED THE MAIN CASINO BUILDING, BUT THE BUILDING'S MARQUEE REMAINED. THE CASINO SIGN HAS BEEN PRESERVED AT THE CITY'S NEON MUSEUM. A FIRE LAST YEAR BURNED THROUGH A WING OF VACANT ROOMS ONE AFTER OLYMPIC COAST TOOK OWNERSHIP THROUGH FORECLOSURE. ITS FORMER OWNERS, MOULIN ROUGE PROPERTIES, HAD BOUGHT THE PROPERTY FOR $12.1 MILLION AND PLANNED A $200 MILLION PROPERTY WITH HISTORICAL REMINDERS OF THE MOULIN ROUGE OF DECADES AGO, BUT WENT BANKRUPT IN 2008.