28.8.10

GUCCI GUILTY -- THE TRAILER


FRANK MILLER, CO-DIRECTOR OF THE CUTTING EDGE, ULTRA VIOLENT 2005 FILM 'SIN CITY' BASED ON HIS NEO-NOIR GRAPHIC COMIC SERIES OF THE SAME NAME, HAS RECENTLY PRODUCED A COMMERCIAL FOR LUXURY FASHION HOUSE GUCCI'S NEW GUILTY FRAGRANCE. THE LATEST IN A LINE OF FASHION LABEL FILM COLLABORATIONS, IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF MARTIN SCORSESE'S VIDEO COR CHANEL'S NEW MEN'S FRAGRANCE. THEGUCCI SPOT, SET TO DEBUT 12.SEPT, STARS EVAN RACHEL WOOD AS A FEMME FATALE WITH A PASSION FOR FAST CARS AND STUNNING YOUNG LADS, AND A SOUNDTRACK BY FRIENDLY FIRES. DONE IN THE SAME BLACK AND WHITE WITH SLASHES OF COLOUR STYLE AS IN 'SIN CITY', THE SPOT AIMS TO POSITION GUILTY AS THE 'SCENT OF DEFIANCE'. THE PERFUME COMES IN A GOLD COLOURED CONTAINER FEATURING GUCCI'S ICONIC SIGNATURE INTERLOCKING G's MOTIF

REMY MARTIN V


THE COGNAC HOUSE OF REMY MARTIN VENTURES INTO NEW TERRITORY THIS SEPTEMBER WITH V, THE BRAND'S FIRST CLEAR SPIRIT. V (PRONOUNCED "VEE", A PLAY ON THE FRENCH "VIE", MEANING 'LIFE') IS A DEPARTURE, NOT ONLY IN ITS COMPOSITION BUT ALSO ITS INTENT. THE SPIRIT IS MEANT TO BE MIXED AS A BASE FOR COCKTAILS, AND REMY MARTIN HAS PAIRED WITH A NEW YORK MIXOLOGIST TO OFFER SEVERAL WAYS OF HOW TO DO THAT. TO ACHIEVE ITS CLARITY, V IS PRODUCED USING FALL-HARVESTED GRAPES FROM THE HOUSE'S CRUS IN COGNAC, WHICH ARE THEN DISTILLED IN COPPER POT STILLS AND BLENDED. BUT INSTEAD OF GOING INTO BARRELS FOR AGING, THIS DISTILLATE IS COLD FILTERED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS AND THEN LEFT TO MELLOW THROUGHOUT THE SPRING. IT IS ONLY DURING THE FOLLOWING SUMMER THAT V GOES INTO BOTTLES AND IS READY FOR CONSUMPTION. THE RESULT IS A CRYSTAL-CLEAR SPIRIT WITH HINTS OF PAR AND MINT. REMY MARTIN V WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR $40 FOR A 750ml BOTTLE.


(750ml; $40)

LOUIS VUITTON PYTHON ARTSY BAG


LOUIS VUITTON HAS CREATED A STUNNING NEW LIMITED EDITION BAG OUT OF PYTHON SKIN AS PART OF THEIR LATEST COLLECTION FOR THE FALL. THE LOUIS VUITTON PYTHON ARTSY IS A CLASSICALLY DESIGNED TOTE EMBOSSED WITH THE ICONIC LOUIS VUITTON LOGO STAMPED INTO THE PYTHON SKIN, WHILE THE SHOULDER DROP HAS BEEN CRAFTED IN A SPECIFIC MANNER TO MAKE THE BAG IDEAL FOR ANY PERSON. THE LOUIS VUITTON PYTHON ARTSY WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM LUOIS VUITTON BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE AND IS AVAILABLE IN GRAY AND BLACK.

27.8.10

ASSOULINE NEW YORK


TUCKED AWAY ON THE MEZZANINE LEVEL OF NEW YORK'S PLAZA HOTEL IS A BEAUTY OF A BOUTIQUE. ASSOULINE, BEST-KNOWN FOR STUNNING COFFEE TABLE BOOKS THAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO READ NOT JUST ADMIRE OR USE AS AN ACCENT TO YOUR DECOR, IS A TREASURE TROVE OF ART, DESIGN, FASHION AND PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS. IF YOU EVER WONDERED HOW RALPH LAUREN, DONNA KAREN, AND SOME 100 OTHER TOP AMERICAN DESIGNERS LIVE, NEW THIS FALL FROM ASSOULINE IS AMERICAN DESIGNERS AT HOME BY RIMA SUGI. ANOTHER STELLAR PUBLICATION FOR FASHIONISTAS WHO YEARN OR OWN ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC OF SWISS TIMEPIECES IS PIAGET BY FRANCO COLOGNI. HE DOCUMENTS WHY THE WATCH COMPANY HAS MAINTAINED ITS PRE-EMINENCE SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1874. BEYOND BOOKS, THE ASOULINE BOUTIQUE HAS SOME OF THE MOST EXQUISITELY TURNED OUT GIFTS YOU WILL FIND IN THE CITY. CONSIDER THE GOYARD TRUNK, $20,000, WITH 100 MEMOIRS OF ART, ARCHITECTURE AND FASHION TREND SETTERS. ANOTHER RARITY IS THE MOST UNUSUAL PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE. THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSONALITY THAT THE FRENCH WRITER ANSWERED AT DIFFERANT TIMES IN HIS LIFE, THEY HAVE BEEN USED ON TV AND IN MAGAZINES TO FERRET OUT WHAT VARIOUS CELEBS WERE THINKING. PROUST'S ANSWER TO 'YOUR FAVORITE VIRTUE?' WAS 'THE NEED TO BE LOVED; MORE PRECISELY THE NEED TO BE CARESSED AND SPOILED MUCH MORE THAN THE NEED TO BE ADMIRED.' THE KEEPSAKE BOOK OF QUESTIONS INCLUDES PROUST'S ANSWERS, BLANK PAGES FOR YOU OR YOUR GUESTS TO FILL IN THEIR ANSWERS, AS WELL AS THE ANSWERS FROM DANIEL BOULUD AND RICHARD MEIER AMONG OTHERS. BOUND IN A BRIGHT LEATHER, $295, IT'S A POPULAR HOUSE AND WEDDING GIFT. ASSOULINE HAS ALSO VENTURED INTO FURNITURE WITH AN EXCLUSIVE RENDITION OF ARCHITECT OSCAR NIEMEYER'S ROSEWOOD BOOKSTAND, $8,500.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.assouline.com AND www.shopassouline.com.

CYNTHIA ROWLEY CREATES LIMITED EDITION BAND-AIDS


CYNTHIA ROWLEY HAS ALREADY DRESSED UP DIAPERS, AND NOW SHE'S TAKEN ON BAND AIDS. HER LIMITED EDITION DRESS UP BAND AIDS, $10 PER TIN; 20 ASSORTED SIZES, 14 DESIGNS, CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH JOHNSON & JOHNSON, FEATURES DESIGNS THAT MAKE THE BANDAGES LOOK LIKE STRIPS OF SEQUINS, GOLD CHAINS AND LACE AS WELL AS SQUARE-CUT BANDAGES THAT LOOK LIKE JEWELS. PACKAGED IN TWO DIFFERENT ARTSY TINS, THE BANDAGES HELP OTHERS ALSO; $1 FROM EACH SALE OF CYNTHIA ROWLEY STORES WILL BE DONATED TO DESIGN IGNITES CHANGE, WHICH ENGAGES HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS IN DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS SOCIAL ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. DRESS UP BAND-AIDS ARE AVAILABLE AT CYNTHIA ROWLEY BOUTIQUES AND HER WEBSITE.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WALES ACQUIRES FRENCESCO GUARDI PAINTING


NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WALES HAS PURCHASED AN IMPORTANT PAINTING BY THE 18th CENTURY ITALIAN ARTIST FRENCESCO GUARDI, 'VIEW OF THE PALAZZO LOREDAN DELL'AMBASCIATORE ON THE GRAND CANAL, VENICE' WAS BOUGHT WITH THE ART FUND'S HELP. THE SIGNIFICANT WORK, ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF INHERITANCE TAX BY H M GOVERNMENT AND ALLOCATED TO AMGUEDDFA CYMRU, IS AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THE MUSEUM'S OUTSTANDING 18th CENTURY COLLECTIONS. IT SUPPLEMENTS SEVERAL OTHER DEPICTIONS OF VENICE BY ARTIST SUCH AS CANALETTO, MONET, SICKERT AND WHISTLER. STEPHEN DEUCHAR, DIRECTOR OF THE ART FUND, SAID: 'WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE GIVEN £20,000 TO NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WALES TO HELP BUY THIS SIGNIFICANT VENETIAN PAINTING. ART FUND MEMBERS HAVE SUPPORTED THE MUSEUM TO MAKE SOME MAJOR ACQUISITIONS IN RECENT YEARS, MOST RECENTLY THE ARRESTING 'WELSH LANDSCAPE WITH TWO WOMEN KNITTING' BY WILLIAM DYCE. WE'RE DELIGHTED THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL 18th CENTURY WORK BY GAURDI IS NOW PART OF WALES' PERMANENT COLLECTION, AND WE THANK OUR MEMBERS FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT.' THE PAINTING WILL UNDERGO MINOR CLEANING BEFORE BEING PUT ON DISPLAY LATER IN THE YEAR.

26.8.10

THE ORIGINAL KERMIT THE FROG DONATED TO THE SMITHSONIAN


THE ORIGINAL KERMIT THE FROG, HIS BODY CREATED WITH AN OLD DULL-GREEN COAT AND HIS EYES MADE OF PING PONG BALLS, HAS RETURNED HOME TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL, WHERE THE PUPPET GOT HIS START. THE FIRST KERMIT CREATION FROM JIM HENSON'S MUPPET'S COLLECTION APPEARED IN 1955 ON THE EARLY TV SHOW "SAM AND FRIENDS", PRODUCED AT WASHINGTON'S WRC-TV. HENSON'S WIDOW JANE HENSON ON WEDNESDAY DONATED 10 CHARACTERS FROM THE SHOW TO THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY. SHE SAID THE ORIGINAL CHARACTERS PROVIDED FIVE MINUTES OF FUN EACH NIGHT AFTER THE LOCAL NEWS. THE SMITHSONIAN ALREADY HAS A FAMILIAR KERMIT THE FROG PUPPET MADE FAMOUS ON 'SESAME STREET' AND 'THE MUPPET SHOW'. BUT THE ORIGINAL KERMIT WAS MORE LIZARD-LIKE, AND A DULLER GREEN. HIS BODY WAS MADE FROM AN OLD COAT THROWN OUT BY HENSON'S MOTHER. SOME OF THE OTHER EARLY , PUPPETS DONATED TO THE MUSEUM INCLUDE THE PUPPETS THAT INSPIRED COOKIE MONSTER AND OSCAR THE GROUCH, AS WELL AS SAM FROM 'SAM AND FRIENDS'. THE GROUP INCLUDES HANSON'S OLDEST SURVIVING PUPPET, PIERRE THE FRENCH RAT. THE PUPPETS MOSTLY MIMED ON THE SHOW AND WOULD LIP-SYNC TO POPULAR MUSIC. THEIR FIRST HIT WAS 'I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO YOUR FACE', BY ROSEMARY CLOONEY. DONNING A WIG, KERMIT TOOK THE LEAD AS 'KERMINA', JANE HENSON SAID. IN 1969, KERMIT MADE IT BIG AND JOINED 'SESAME STREET'. THE MUSEUM WILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL MUPPETS ON DISPLAY BY NOVEMBER IN THE POP CULTURE GALLERY.

DOLCE & GABBANA TO CLOSE SHOPS IN JAPAN


DOLCE & GABBANA HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS DRAMATICALLY SCALING BACK OPERATIONS IN JAPAN OF ITS D&G LINE, WHICH IS AIMED AT THE YOUNGER FASHION MARKET. THEY BLAME THE DECISION TO HALT THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE D&G READY TO WEAR LINES, LEATHER ACCESSORIES AND SHOE COLLECTIONS IN JAPAN ON THE SCARCITY OF AVAILABLE LOCATIONS FOR ITS BOUTIQUES AND THE WIDESPREAD AVAILABILITY OF COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS. THE DECISION TO REGROUP IN JAPAN COMES IN THE WAKE OF VERSACE AND FRENCH CONNECTION UK LEAVING THE MARKET ENTIRELY WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. DOLCE & GABBANA AND D&G COLLECTIONS WERE LAUNCHED IN JAPAN IN APRIL 1996 THROUGH A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH THE LOCAL FIRM OF GROUP MISAKI SHOJI. A NEW SUBSIDIARY, DOLCE & GABBANA JAPAN KK WAS SET UP IN AUGUST 2001 AND, SIX YEARS LATER, THE COMPANY TOOK OVER ALL PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF D&G READY TO WEAR LINES, ACCESSORIES AND SHOW COLLECTIONS. WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE CAME THE PROPOSAL FOR THE FASHION HOUSE TO DIRECTLY DISTRIBUTE ITS PRODUCTS THROUGH STAND-ALONE BOUTIQUES AND SHOPS IN SHOPS, THE COMPANY SAID IN A STATEMENT. PART OF AN EFFORT TO TAKE THE D&G BRAND UPMARKET, THE FIRST BOUTIQUE WAS UNVEILED IN 2009. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 15 D&G BOUTIQUES ACROSS JAPAN. IN RECESSION-HIT JAPAN, HOWEVER, THE APPROACH HAS FAILED AND THE BOUTIQUES WILL BE CLOSED BY 31.JANUARY.2011.

BOMBAY COMPANY TO RE-INTRODUCE WARES


BOMBAY COMPANY THE WELL KNOWN BRAND MADE FAMOUS FOR ITS CLASSICALLY DESIGNED FLAT-PACK FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES, WHICH WAS ONCE IN ALMOST EVERY MALL ACROSS THE US WITH A TOTAL OF 450 STORES, WILL DEBUT A NEW FULL COLLECTION THIS FALL. ACCORDING TO HOME ACCENTS TODAY, THE 250 PIECE COLLECTION WILL INCLUDE HOME DECOR, GIFTS AND FURNITURE THAT WILL PULL TOGETHER BOTH BEST SELLING ARCHIVAL PIECES AND FRESH DESIGNS. THE BRAND HAS A NEW PENTHOUSE SHOWROOM AT 489 FIFTH AVENUE IN NEW YORK CITY AND WILL DEBUT THEIR NEW COLLECTION DURING A ONE HOUR SHOW ON QVC ON 30.SEPTEMBER. THE SHOW WILL FEATURE 14 HOME DECOR AND ACCENT PIECES RANGING IN PRINCE FROM $29 TO $180. THE FULL COLLECTION INCLUDES ART NOUVEAU D'ORSAY TABLE COLLECTION, ASIAN GARDEN DINNERWARE, MONTEBELLO REVERSE-PAINTED MIRROR AND OTHER TRAVEL INSPIRED PIECES. PRICES START AS LOW AS $7 WITH FURNITURE SELLING FOR UP TO $1,500.

BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS TO SELL DEBBIE REYNOLDS COLLECTION


BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS, LOS ANGELES, WILL BE OFFERING FINE EUROPEAN FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE ARTS ON 13.SEPTEMBER. THE ECLECTIC AUCTION WILL OFFER A GLOBAL ARRAY OF WORKS, SHOWCASING PIECES FROM THE 15th THROUGH THE 20th CENTURIES WITH A FOCUS ON ENGLISH, FRENCH, ITALIAN, SPANISH AND GERMAN PIECES. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FALL SALE WILL INCLUDE RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL WORKS FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF DEBBIE REYNOLDS. 'BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS IS HONORED TO OFFER A SELECTION OF UNIQUE ITEMS FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF SCREEN ICON DEBBIE REYNOLDS. REYNOLD'S PASSION FOR BEAUTY AND DEDICATION TO THE PRESERVATION OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY ARE REPRESENTED THROUGHOUT THE OFFERING', SAID ANDREW JONES, LOS ANGELES DIRECTOR OF EUROPEAN FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE ARTS AT BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS. DEBBIE REYNOLDS BEGAN HER EXTENSIVE COLLECTION WITH THE METRO GOLDWYN MAYER AUCTION IN 1970. SHE BOUGHT NOT ONLY MEMORABILIA AND COSTUMES, BUT ALSO PROPS AND SET DECOR, INCLUDING FURNITURE, CHANDELIERS AND DECORATIVE ARTS. REYNOLD'S EXTENSIVE COLLECTION INCLUDES VARIOUS ITEMS FROM 20tH CENTURY FOX, RKO, AND WARNER BROTHERS, AMONG OTHERS, AS WELL AS ITEMS FROM THE ESTATES OF HAROLD LLOYD AND MARY PICKFORD. SHE FELT IT WOULD BE A GREAT INJUSTICE; SHOULD THESE TREASURES FALL INTO THE WAYSIDE AS DECORATIONS FOR MERE HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS, MASQUERADE PARTIES AND SOCIAL EVENT. IT WAS DURING THE 1970s THAT IT OCCURRED TO REYNOLDS THAT THE ITEMS FROM THESE LANDMARK FILMS, WHICH WERE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING STYLE GUIDELINES AND INFLUENCING DECORATIONS AND TASTEMAKERS AROUND THE WORLD, LACKED A MUSEUM OR PRESERVATION STRATEGY. SHE HAS ALWAYS SAID: 'THEY HAVE A HALL OF FAME FOR BOWLING, BUT NOT FOR FILMS OR MOVIE STARS.' SINCE THAT TIME, REYNOLDS HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR PRESERVING THESE ARTIFACTS FOR POSTERITY AND THE ENJOYMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.

25.8.10

KATHERINE POOLEY PICNIC HAMPER


PICNIC HAMPERS ARE A GREAT WAY TO ENJOY A SPECIAL DAY OUT WITH YOUR NEAR AND DEAR ONES. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LUXURIOUS PICNIC HAMPER, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE PICNIC HAMPER FROM KATHERINE POOLEY. IT'S A BRIEFCASE-STYLE FOUR PERSON PICNIC HAMPER WITH EXQUISITE DETAILING, INCLUDING LEATHER CORNERS, ELEGANT HANDLES AND FIXINGS. ALL THE ITEMS INSIDE ARE HELD INTACT DURING CARRIAGE AND CAN BE EASILY REMOVED WHEN YOU NEED THEM. THE KATHERINE POOLEY PICNIC HAMPER IS SOMETHING THAT WILL REALLY HELP MAKE YOUR DATE OR SPECIAL EVENT TRULY SPECIAL. WHILE THE BLACK LEATHER VERSION COSTS £2,232, THE TAN LEATHER VERSION IS PRICED AT £2,920.

ANSEL ADAMS' GROUP SUES OVER GARAGE FIND


A GROUP REPRESENTING ANSEL ADAMS SUED A FRESNO MAN MONDAY FOR SELLING PRINTS AND POSTERS UNDER THE NAME OF THE FAMED NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER, THE LATEST SALVO IN A DISPUTE OVER GLASS NEGATIVES BOUGHT AT A GARAGE SALE AND PURPORTED TO BE ADAMS' LOST WORKS. THE LAWSUIT, FILLED IN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT IN SAN FRANSISCO BY THE ANSEL ADAMS PUBLISHING RIGHTS TRUST, SEEKS TO STOP RICK NORSIGIAN AND CONSULTING FIRM PRS MEDIA PARTNERS FROM USING ADAMS' NAME, LIKENESS AND TRADEMARK IN THEIR EFFORTS TO SELL PRINTS AND POSTERS NOT AUTHORIZED OR ENDORSED BY THE TRUST. THE SUIT ALLEGES TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT, FALSE ADVERTISING, TRADEMARK DILUTION, UNFAIR COMPETITION AND OTHER CLAIMS. IT DOES NOT SPECIFY DAMAGES BUT ASKS THE COURT TO ORDER THE DEFENDANTS TO PAY RESTITUTION PF THEIR PROFITS FROM ANY SALES, AS WELL AS AWARD ANY OTHER MONETARY RELIEF. NORSIGIAN'S LAWYER, ARNOLD PETER, SAID THE LAWSUIT HAS NO MERIT AND IS DESIGNED TO HARASS HIS CLIENT AND 'SILENCE THIS DEBATE'. 'WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE ANSEL ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP RIGHTS TRUST HAS DECIDED TO RESORT TO THE COURTS IN ORDER TO RESOLVE WHAT, IN OUR VIEW, IS A DEBATE THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY ART AND FORENSIC EXPERTS', PETER SAID IN A STATEMENT. NORSIGIAN SAYS THAT HE BOUGHT THE NEGATIVES 10 YEARS AGO AT A FRESNO GARAGE SALE FOR $45. HE NOTICED THEY RESEMBLED ADAMS' ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AND HIRED PETER TO ASSEMBLE A TEAM OF EXPERTS TO AUTHENTICATE THEM. LAST MONTH PETER ANNOUNCED THAT HIS TEAM STUDIED THE 65 NEGATIVES FOR SIX MONTHS AND CONCLUDED 'BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT' THAT THE PHOTOS WERE ADAMS' EARLY WORK, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN A 1937 FIRE AT HIS YOSEMITE STUDIO. NORSIGIAN HAS SET UP A WEBSITE TO SELL PRINTS MADE FROM SOME OF THE NEGATIVES, FROM $45 FOR A POSTER TO $7,500 FOR A DARKROOM PRINT WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. A BEVERLY HILLS ART GALLERY OWNED BY DAVID W STREETS PLANS TO HOLD A PUBLIC VIEWING OF PART OF THE COLLECTION NEXT MONTH. ADAMS' REPRESENTATIVES HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THE CLAIM, CALLING IT A FRAUD. THE LAWSUIT IS THE LATEST ACTION TO STOP WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS A 'SCAM'. THE SUIT ALSO SAYS THERE IS 'SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE' SUGGESTING THE NEGATIVES WERE CREATED BY ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPHER, EARL BROOKS, WHOSE NIECE CAME FORWARD JUST DAYS AFTER PETER'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO SAY SHE HAD A PHOTO OF HER UNCLE'S THAT LOOKED IDENTICAL TO ONE OF THE NEGATIVES. THE LAWSUIT FURTHER SAYS THAT EVEN IF THEY WERE ADAMS' NEGATIVES, THE PRINTS AND POSTERS BEING CREATED FROM THEM AREN'T THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S WORKS, 'BUT ARE DERIVATIVE WORKS AT BEST'. THE SUIT SAYS THE DEFENDANTS ARE IMPROPERLY AND UNLAWFULLY TRADING ON ADAMS TRADEMARK AND DELIBERATELY CONFUSING CONSUMERS. ADAMS ESTABLISHED THE TRUST IN 1976 TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF HIS WORK AND PRESERVE HIS ARTISTIC LEGACY. ADAMS' BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS, PRIMARILY OF THE AMERICAN WEST, ARE WIDELY REPRODUCED ON CALENDERS AND POSTERS AND IN COFFEE-TABLE BOOKS, WHILE HIS PRINTS ARE COVETED BY COLLECTORS. HIS PRINT 'CLEARING WINTER STORM, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK' BROUGHT $722,500 AT AUCTION THIS SUMMER IN NEW YORK, A RECORD FOR 20th CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHY.

CHAMBORD PINK VODKA


EARLIER THIS MONTH CHAMBORD RELEASED CHAMBORD VODKA, THE FIRST NEW PRODUCT LINE FROM THE LOIRE CALLEY MAKER OF THE LUXURIOUS BLACK RASPBERRY LIQUEUR. THE NEW CREATION IS A FRENCH VODKA, DISTILLED FROM GRAINS, WITH THE CHAMBORD BLACK RASPBERRY FLAVOR INFUSED INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE LIQUOR. ADVERTISED WITH THE MESSAGE OF 'PINK YOUR DRINK', THE IDEA FOR THE VODKA WAS DRIVEN NOT ONLY BY THE GROWTH OF THE FLAVORED VODKA MARKET, BUT BY THE FACT THAT CHAMBORD WAS ALREADY AN INGREDIENT IN SEVERAL POPULAR VODKA COCKTAILS. TASTING NOTES FOR CHAMBORD PINK VODKA: HIBISCUS FLOWER WITH NOTES OF VANILLA, WHITE CHOCOLATE AND THE DISTINCTIVE FLAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL CHAMBORD BLACK RASPBERRY LIQUEUER. PRICED AT $24.95 FOR A 750ml BOTTLE. THE LAUNCH OF CHAMBORD PINK VODKA ALSO USHERS IN A NEW BOTTLE FOR BOTH THE VODKA AND THE LIQUEUR. THE FAMILIAR ORB SHAPED BOTTLE REMAINS, BUT LABEL AND GRAPHICS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND THE NECK HAS BEEN MADE SLIGHTLY LONGER AND REDESIGNED FOR EASIER GRAB AND POUR.

24.8.10

ASOLUT VODKA PRESENTS 'ABSOLUT SOPHIE MIRROR'


ASOLUT VODKA PRESENTS THE 'ABSOLUT SOPHIE MIRROR', A LIMITED EDITION COLLECTIBLE, DESIGNED BY SINGAPORE-BASED ILLUSTRATOR SOKKUAN. SOKKUAN WAS THE WINNER OF 'IN AN ABSOLUT WORLD, EVERY DRINK IS AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE' INSTALLATION DURING SINGAPORE DESIGN FESTIVAL 2009. THE DARK BEAUTY IS EXECUTED AS A MULTIFACETED MIRROR BOXED IN A MATCHING PACKAGE. SOKKUAN WAS INSPIRED BY THE BLOODY MARY LEGEND OF CHANTING INTO A MIRROR TO SUMMON HER DARK SPIRIT, CREATING AN ALTER EGO SOPHIE BLACK. 'I ADORE PEOPLE AND THINGS IN HARMONIOUS CONTRADICTIONS. SOPHIE BLACK, MY ALTER EGO WHO EXISTS IN A WORLD OF PSEUDO REALITY, IS THE EPITOME OF SUCH PARADOX. PLAYING ON THE WELL-KNOWN BLOODY MARY LEGEND, MY DESIGN OF THIS MULTIFACETED HAND HELD MIRROR REFLECTS MY FASCINATIONS WITH DARK, QUIRKY, MYSTERIOUS YET BEAUTIFUL ESSENCES EXUDED BY BOTH BLOODY MARY AND SOPHIE BLACK.' THIS COLLABORATIVE PIECE SPARKS ABSOLUT'S PATH TO ENCOURAGE COCKTAIL CULTURE IN SINGAPORE AND CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF A NEW PLAYING FIELD WITHIN THE COCKTAIL AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY. EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED AND DISTRIBUTED ONLY AT SELECTED OUTLETS IN SINGAPORE, THIS LIMITED EDITION LIMITED QUANITY HAND HELD MIRROR IS A GIFT ITEM WITH EVERY TWO BOTTLE PURCHASE OF ABSOLUT VODKA.

RUMOR LAS VEGAS OPENS


RUMOR, IS A CHIC NEW TWO-STORY BOUTIQUE HOTEL BY THE SIEGEL GROUP. RUMOR IS LOCATED ON THE FORMER SITE OF THE FAMOUS ST TROPEZ HOTEL, ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE HARD ROCK HOTEL, WHICH BOASTS 150 STUNNING SUITES DESIGNED BY LAS VEGAS BASED INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM TANDEM. THE DECOR FEATURES DARK WOODS AND GRAY TONES WITH DEEP PURPLE AND LAVENDER ACCENTS. RUMOR INCLUDES THE NEW RESTAURANT ADDICTION WHICH SERVES BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER AND ROOM SERVICE. THE MAIN RESTAURANT SPILLS OUT INTO THE COURTYARD WITH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING. THE COURTYARDS LEADS OUT TO THE POOL AREA AND WET DECK. HALF THE SUITES OVERLOOK THE COURTYARD AREA. SUITES ARE MODERN WITH GRAY WALLS, PURPLE ACCENTS AND ELEVATED, IN-ROOM, SPA-STYLE SOAKING TUBS. RUMOR IS PET FRIENDLY WITH AN OUTDOOR DOG RUN, CUSTOMIZED IN-SUITE BOWLS AND PLUSH DOG BEDS. RUMOR IS CURRENTLY OFFERING A WEB ONLY DEAL, IF YOU BOOK ONE NIGHT YOU GET A SECOND NIGHT FREE. RATES VARY FROM $80-200 A NIGHT.

ALLURE OF TEH SEAS TO OPOEN A BRITTO STORE


AS ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL PREPARES FOR THE DECEMBER 2010 LAUNCH OF ALLURE OF THE SEAS, THE WORLD'S NEXT LARGEST AND MOST REVOLUTIONARY CRUISE SHIP, THE GLOBAL CRUISE LINE CONTINUES TO UNVEIL SURPRISING NEW FEATURES AND AMENITIES THAT WILL DISTINGUISH ALLURE FROM HER SISTER-SHIP, OASIS OF THE SEAS. AFTER ANNOUNCING AN INTEGRATED PARTNERSHIP WITH DREAMWORKS ANIMATIONS AND CHICAGO: THE MUSICAL AS THE SHIP'S SIGNATURE SHOW, AS WELL AS A LINE-UP OF NEW DINING, ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING OPTIONS, ROYAL CARIBBEAN IS PLEASED TO SHARE DETAILS OF YET ANOTHER NEW VENUE THAT WILL CALL ALLURE OF THE SEAS HOME, THE VERY FIRST BRITTO CONCEPT STORE AT SEA BY POP CULTURE ICON, ROMERO BRITTO. ROYAL CARIBBEAN HAS ENJOYED A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH BRITTO, WHICH BEGAN IN 2003 WHEN THE ARTIST DESIGNED THE POOL DECK FOR THE DEBUT OF MARINER OF THE SEAS. MARKING THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP. THE STORE WILL BE LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD AND WILL DISPLAY ARTWORK ALONG WITH SMALLER COLLECTIBLE PIECES AND SCULPTURES OF ALL SIZES. A UNIQUE SCULPTURE BOASTING BRITTO'S WELL-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES WILL GRACE THE GARDENS OF CENTRAL PARK DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE STORE, WELCOMING GUESTS AND PROVIDING A CHEERFUL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY. ALLURE OF THE SEAS SHARES THE TITLE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST REVOLUTIONARY CRUISE SHIP WITH THE SISTER-SHIP OASIS OF THE SEAS. AN ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL AT SEA, SHE WILL SPAN 16 DECKS, ENCOMPASS 225,282 GROSS REGISTERED TONS, CARRY 5,400 GUESTS AT DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, AND FEATURE 2,700 STATEROOMS. ALLURE OF THE SEAS WILL TOUT ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S EXCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCEPT OF SEVEN DISTINCT THEMED AREAS, WHICH INCLUDE CENTRAL PARK, BOARDWALK, THE ROYAL PROMENADE, THE POOL AND SPORTS ZONE, VITALITY AT SEA SPA AND FITNESS CENTER, ENTERTAINMENT PLACE AND YOUTH ZONE.

HARN MUSEUM OF ART BEQUEATHED 312 WORKS OF ASIAN ART


DR DAVID A COFRIN, ONE OF THE FOUNDING DONORS OF THE HARN MUSEUM OF ART AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, HAS BEQUEATHED 312 WORKS OF ASIAN ART WORTH AN ESTIMATED $4.2 MILLION TO THE MUSEUM. DR COFRIN ALSO ESTABLISHED A $1 MILLION ENDOWMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ASIAN ART. THE GIFTED WORKS INCLUDE JADES, CERAMICS, METALS SUCH AS CLOISONNE AND BRONZE, GLASS, IVORY AND LACQUERS FROM CHINA, JAPAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIA. THE DONATION IS PARTICULARLY STRONG IN CHINESE JADES WHICH PREDOMINANTLY DATE FROM THE MING DYNASTY AND QING DYNASTY. DR COFRIN'S BEQUEST BRINGS HIS TOTAL GIFTS TO THE HARN MUSEUM OF ART TO MORE THAN $30 MILLION. PRIOR TO THIS BEQUEST, DE COFRIN AND HIS WIFE MARY ANN DONATED $10 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 26,000sqft DAVID A COFRIN ASIAN ART WING, A $20 MILLION ADDITIONAL SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN 2012. HE AND HIS WIFE ARE ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF MORE THAN 150 WORKS FROM CHINA, INDIA, JAPAN AND KOREA IN THE HARN'S ASIAN ART COLLECTION, AS WELL AS ACQUISITIONS IN THE CONTEMPORARY, MODERN AND PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTIONS. THEIR FOUNDING DONATION OF $3 MILLION MADE THE FIRST MUSEUM BUILDING POSSIBLE. THE NEW WORKS WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE DAVID A COFRIN ASIAN ART WING WHEN IT OPENS. THE FOCUS OF THE FIRST EXHIBITION PRESENTED IN THE ASIAN WING'S MAIN GALLERY WILL BE OBJECTS GIVEN TO THE MUSEUM BY THE COLLECTORS AND DONORS WHO HAVE HELPED CREATE ONE OF THE BEST COLLECTIONS OF ASIAN ART IN THE REGION.

23.8.10

MOHAMED FAYED ADMITS TO BURNING ROYAL WARRANTS


MOHAMED FAYED, THE FORMER OWNER OF HARRODS, HAS RECENTLY DISCLOSED THAT HE BURNED THE ROYAL WARRANTS AFTER THEY WERE REMOVED FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE LONDON DEPARTMENT STORE. THE EGYPTIAN TYCOON, WHO STEPS DOWN AS HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF HARRODS IN NOVEMBER AFTER SELLING THE COMPANY TO THE QATARI ROYAL FAMILY FOR £1.5 BILLION, CLAIMED THAT THE WARRANTS HAD PUT A 'CURSE' ON THE STORE. IN A LETTER TO THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, HE WROTE: 'I ORDERED THEIR REMOVAL. LATER, I HAD THEM BURNED. THEY WERE A CURSE AND BUSINESS TRIPLED FOLLOWING THEIR REMOVAL.' THE WARRANTS, FROM THE QUEEN; THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH; THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER; AND THE PRINCE OF WALES, WERE TAKEN DOWN IN 2000. THEY HAD BEEN DISPLAYED SINCE THE LATE QUEEN MOTHER FIRST GAVE HER APPROVAL IN 1938. THE DUKE HAD WRITTEN TO THE BUSINESSMAN FIVE MONTHS EARLIER TO INFORM HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT BE RENEWING HIS WARRANT AFTER 40 YEARS BECAUSE HE NO LONGER PATRONIZED THE KNIGHTSBRIDGE SHOP. HE HAD BEEN ACCUSED BY FAYED IN COURT OF MASTERMINDING THE DEATHS OF THE TYCOON'S SON DODI AND DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, IN A CAR CRASH IN 1997. IN HIS LETTER, FAYED, ALSO CALLS FOR THE STORE'S NEW OWNERS, WHO ENJOY CLOSE LINKS TO THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY, TO RETAIN THE TWO MEMORIALS THAT HE ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF HIS SON AND THE LATE PRINCESS. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL NEWS SOURCES THE QATARIS ARE CONSIDERING THEIR REMOVAL. 'UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS COUNTRY GIVES THE PRINCESS THE THANKS AND DEVOTION SHE DESERVES IN THE FORM OF FITTING PUBLIC MEMORIAL, THIS STATUE, INNOCENT VICTIMS, SHOULD REMAIN TO REMIND THE WORLD OF WHAT WAS LOST WHEN TWO YOUNG PEOPLE, ON THE BRINK OF HAPPINESS TOGETHER, WERE KILLED', HE WROTE. THE OUTSPOKEN TYCOON DID NOT SAY WHETHER HE HAD BEEN GIVEN ANY REASSURANCES BY THE QATARIS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BRONZE STATUE, WHICH WAS ERECTED IN 2005 AND DEPICTS THE PAIR RAISING THEIR HANDS TO A SEAGULL. HE CLAIMS, HOWEVER: 'I BELIEVE THE NEW OWNERS OF HARRODS REGARD IT WITH THE SAME REVERENCE AS THE THOUSANDS WHO VISIT IT EVERY WEEK.' A SECOND MEMORIAL, WHICH WAS UNVEILED IN 1998, CONSISTS OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PAIR BEHIND A PYRAMID-SHAPED DISPLAY THAT HOLDS A WINE GLASS STILL SMUDGED WITH LIPSTICK FROM THE PRINCESS'S LAST DINNER, AS WELL AS A RING FAYED'S SON PURCHASED FOR HER THE DAY BEFORE THEY DIED DURING A VISIT TO PARIS. HELEN BOWMAN, OF ENGLISH HERITAGE, SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HARRODS WAS IN A LISTED BUILDING, THE MEMORIALS COULD BE LEGALLY REMOVED. SHE SAID: 'THESE ARE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, AND, AS MUCH, WERE NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING'S ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC MERIT. WE APPRECIATE, HOWEVER, THAT THERE MAY BE AFFECTION FOR THEM.'

SEARCH FOR STOLEN VAN GOGH CONTINUES


NONE OF THE ALARMS AND ONLY SEVEN OUT OF 43 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS WERE WORKING AT A CAIRO MUSEUM WHERE A VINCENT VAN GOGH PAINTING WAS STOLEN, FOR THE SECOND TIME, EGYPT'S TOP PROSECUTOR SAID SUNDAY. THIEVES MADE OFF WITH THE CANVAS, KNOW BY THE TITLES OF 'POPPY FLOWERS' AND 'VASE WITH FLOWERS', ON SATURDAY FROM THE MAHMOUD KHALIL MUSEUM IN THE EGYPTIAN CAPITAL. PROSECUTOR GENERAL ABDEL-MEGUID MAHMOUD TOLD EGYPT'S STATE NEWS AGENCY SUNDAY THAT THE THIEVES USED A BOX CUTTER TO REMOVE THE PAINTING FROM ITS FRAME. HE BLAMED THE THEFT ON THE MUSEUM'S LAX SECURITY MEASURES, CALLING THEM 'FOR THE MOST PART FEEBLE AND SUPERFICIAL'. HE SAID THE MUSEUM GUARDS' DAILY ROUNDS AT CLOSING TIME WERE INADEQUATE AND DID NOT MEET MINIMUM SECURITY REQUIREMENTS TO PROTECT INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED WORKS OF ART. MAHMOUD ALSO SAID HIS OFFICE HAD WARNED EGYPT'S MUSEUMS TO IMPLEMENT STRICTER SECURITY CONTROLS AFTER NINE PAINTINGS WERE STOLEN LAST YEAR FROM ANOTHER CAIRO INSTITUTE, THE MOHAMMED ALI MUSEUM. SIMILAR SECURITY LAPSES WERE TO BLAME IN THAT THEFT. FIFTEEN EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF THE KHALIL MUSEUM AND THE HEAD OF THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE, HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM LEAVING EGYPT UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE PAINTING'S THEFT IS COMPLETE, MAHMOUD SAID. HE DID NOT ELABORATE AS TO WHY SUCH A DRASTIC MEASURE WAS UNDERTAKEN. ON SATURDAY, EGYPT'S MINISTER OF CULTURE SAID THAT POLICE HAD CONFISCATED THE PAINTING FROM AN ITALIAN COUPLE AT CAIRO AIRPORT HOURS AFTER IT WAS STOLEN. BUT LATER BACKTRACKED, SAYING HIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS BASED ON 'FALSE AND INCORRECT' INFORMATION. HE SAID AUTHORITIES WERE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE MISSING PAINTING, WHICH HE SAID IS WORTH AN ESTIMATED $50 MILLION. IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHAT CAUSED THE CONFUSION OVER THE ARTWORK'S FATE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE PAINTING BY THE DUTCH-BORN POST-IMPRESSIONIST HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM THE KHALIL MUSEUM. THIEVES FIRST MADE OFF WITH THE CANVAS IN 1978, BEFORE AUTHORITIES RECOVERED IT TWO YEARS LATER AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN KUWAIT. OFFICIALS HAVE NEVER FULLY REVEALED THE DETAILS OF THAT THEFT.

HIGHLAND PARK 1964


SCOTCH WHISKEY MAKER HIGHLAND PARK HAVE RELEASED A RARE EDITION 1964 ORCADIAN VINTAGE SERIES WHISKEY AS PART OF THEIR LATEST COLLECTION FOR THE FALL. THE WHISKEY HAS BEEN AGED SINCE 1964 AND FEATURES A PARTICULAR REDOLENT OF TOASTED OAK, AND HAD DRIED STRAWBERRIES ADDED TO IT WITH A GENEROUS COATING OF BEESWAX TO FINISH OFF. THE EXPRESSION OF THE VINTAGE SERIES 1964 IS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE OTHER WHISKEY'S FROM HIGHLAND PARK, HOWEVER IT IS COMBINED WITH A FASCINATING SPICINESS, CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER, CREME BRULEE AND A TOASTED VANILLA POD HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE COMPLEXITY. FINALLY, THE RARE WHISKEY CONSISTS OF WATER TO TO REINTRODUCE THE SMELL ENCOUNTERED ON THE NOSE ACCOMPANIED BY DISTINCTIVE HINTS OF SMOKED CHEDDAR, VANILLA AND PAPRIKA.

22.8.10

W HOTEL OPENS IN NEW YORK


STARWOOD RECENTLY OPENED THE DOORS OF ITS NEWEST PROPERTY, THE W NEW YORK-DOWNTOWN, FEATURING 58 FLOORS OF UPSCALE URBAN LUXURY AND SIGNATURE COMFORTS IN NEW YORK CITY'S RAPIDLY REVITALIZING FINANCIAL DISTRICT. THE TOWERING BUILDING ALSO HOUSES THE NEW RESIDENCES AT W NEW YORK-DOWNTOWN FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE THEIR STAY MORE PERMANENT. POISED FOR A PRIME VIEW OF THE NEW FREEDOM TOWER BEING CONSTRUCTED AT GROUND ZERO, THE HOTEL FEATURES ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ELEMENTS BY AWARD-WINNING GWATHMEY SIEGEL & ASSOCIATES WITH INTERIOR DESIGN BY GRAFT AND A SPECIAL 'LIGHT SHOWER SCULPTURE' BY UK LIGHT SCULPTOR BRUCE MUNRO. HOSPITALITY OFFERINGS INCLUDE BLT BAR & GRILL AND THE LIVING ROOM BAR AND TERRACE WITH OUTDOOR SPACE. THE HOTEL FEATURES 217 ROOMS INCLUDING 16 STUDIO SUITES, AND WOW AND TWO EXTREME WOW SUITES. THE RESIDENCES ARE COMPROMISED OF 223 LUXURIOUS W-BRANDED MODERN CONDOMINIUMS WITH ACCESS TO THE HOTEL'S LUXE AMENITIES.

MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM TO PRESENT 'ROY LICHTENSTEIN: THE BLACK AND WHITE DRAWINGS'


ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923–1997) HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE KEY FIGURES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POP ART. HIS SIGNATURE BRIGHTLY COLOURED PAINTINGS ARE CORNERSTONES OF MUSEUM COLLECTIONS THE WORLD OVER. HIS SUBJECT MATTER DRAWN FROM VISUAL FRAGMENTS OF POPULAR CULTURE IS EMBLEMATIC OF AN ENTIRE MOVEMENT. AN EXTRAORDINARY NEW EXHIBITION ORGANIZED BY THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM, OPENING 24.SEPTEMBER, PRESENTS AN IMPORTANT SERIES OF LARGE-SCALE, BLACK AND WHITE WORKS AS A GROUP FOR THE FIRST TIME AND EXAMINES LICHTENSTEIN'S LESS KNOWN EXPLORATION OF THE MEDIUM OF DRAWING. CREATED DURING THE EARLY AND MID-1960s, THE FIFTY-FIVE DRAWINGS ON VIEW OFFER A REVEALING WINDOW INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LICHTENSTEIN'S ART, AS HE BEGAN FOR THE FIRST TIME TO APPROPRIATE COMMERCIAL ILLUSTRATIONS AND COMIC STRIPS AS SUBJECT MATTER AND EXPERIMENTED STYLISTICALLY WITH SIMULATING COMMERCIAL TECHNIQUES OF REPRODUCTION, THE FAMOUS BENDAY DOTS. THE WORK REPRESENTS AN ESSENTIAL AND ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION TO POP ART AS WELL AS TO THE HISTORY OF DRAWING. 'ROY LICHTENSTEIN: THE BLACK AND WHITE DRAWINGS, 1961-1968' IS ON VIEW THROUGH 2.JANUARY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.themorgan.org

PHOTOGRAPH OF CHARLES M SCHULZ DONATED TO NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY


A PHOTOGRAPH OF 'PEANUTS' CREATOR CHARLES M SCHULZ (1922–2000) WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY IN A CEREMONY FOR INVITED GUESTS 1.OCTOBER. THE EVENT RECOGNIZES THE CARTOONIST'S IMPACT ON MILLION OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE AND COINCIDES WITH COMMEMORATIONS SURROUNDING THE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF 'PEANUTS'. THE 1986 PHOTOGRAPH, CREATED BY ACCLAIMED PORTRAITIST YOUSUF KARSH, IS THE PORTRAIT GALLERY'S FIRST IMAGE OF THE FAMED CARTOONIST. IN THE IMAGE, SCHULZ IS AT HIS DRAWING BOARD WITH PEN IN HAND. BEFORE HIM IS A PARTIALLY COMPLETED 'PEANUTS' FULL-PAGE COMIC FEATURING THE PERENNIALLY POPULAR STORY LINE IN WHICH LUCY SNATCHES THE FOOTBALL AWAY FROM CHARLIE BROWN AND SENDS HIM HURTLING THROUGH THE AIR. THE PHOTOGRAPH, WITH THE ACCOMPANYING ORIGINAL COMIC STRIP, WILL BE ON PUBLIC VIEW IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY IN THE MUSEUM'S 'NEW ARRIVALS' EXHIBITION. THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY WILL MARK THE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF TEH 'PEANUTS' STRIP WITH A CASE THAT WILL FEATURE OBJECTS FROM SCHULZ, INCLUDING DRAWING UTENSILS, AN ANIMATION CELL FROM THE TELEVISION SPECIAL 'IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN' AND TWO COMIC PANELS THAT SHOW THE CARTOON'S PROGRESSION FROM ROUGH PENCIL SKETCHES TO FINISHED INK STRIPS. 'PEANUTS' ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST BELOVED COMIC STRIPS, RAN WITHOUT INTERRUPTION FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS. ENCORES OF THE COMIC STRIP APPEAR TODAY IN MORE THAN 2,200 NEWSPAPERS IN 75 COUNTRIES AND 21 LANGUAGES. 'PEANUTS' ANIMATED SPECIALS HAVE BECOME SEASONAL TRADITIONS, AND THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE. CHARLIE BROWN KICKING THE FOOTBALL, LINUS AND LINUS BLANKET AND LUCY LEANING OVER SCHROEDER'S PIANO ARE IMAGES WHICH EVERYONE CAN RELATE. PHRASES SUCH AS 'SECURITY BLANKET' AND 'GOOD GRIEF' ARE PART OF THE GLOBAL VERNACULAR. THE PHOTOGRAPH OF SCHULZ HAS BEEN DONATED TO THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY BY ESTRELLITA KARSH, IN MEMORY OF YOUSUF KARSH.