Blog Archives

OLIVER RATH - Photographer

21/8/2014

Wow wow wow. Just discovered the work of photographer Oliver Rath. He has a gallery next door to where I'm staying and I immediately recognised his work. I've been admiring it for 2 days in my hotel lobby! Bold, sexy yet humorous. Love love love!

I've done some reading and it seems I am not alone in my instant and immediate admiration of his work. I've read his biography and completely agree with descriptions such as "Hedonistic" "broken" "mischievous" sometimes with "biting honour" "hard language" "without compromise" "impression maximisation" and the result stunning in every sense of the word. Love it.

OLIVER RATH / Rosenthaler Strasse, 66, 10119 Berlin / www.rath-gallery.com
Images: ℅ Google images

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RIKE FEURSTEIN

20/8/2014

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I know nothing about Rike Feurstein and researching the brand did little to improve on that, but maybe sometimes details are not required. Seeing and touching these hats, I know they are beautiful...pieces of art...lovingly created...and of supreme quality. I am breathing more deeply and feeling great joy…

RIKE FEURSTEIN / Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 28, D-10178 Berlin-Mitte / +49 30 922 59 669 / www.rikefeurstein.com
Images: ℅ Rike Feurstein website

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LIGNE - Brussels

17/8/2014

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Stunning! What a range.

Ligne is no back water when it comes to design, they proudly present PP Moebler, Woodnotes, Finn Juhl, Baleri, E 15, Mobimex and Lip, as well as classic contemporary art. They have a gorgeous showroom in the most beautiful arcade in Brussels - Galerie de la Reine. The Galerie de la Reine is a story in of itself, and let's just say it's where mountains of delicious and beautifully packaged chocolate live…Yuuum!

I have put together a little taste of what they have available, I hope you find it as exciting as I do.

LIGNE / Galerie de la Reine 12-16, 1000 Brussels Belgium / +32 2 5116030 / info@ligne.beligne.be / www.ligne.be
Images: ℅ Google images

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OPENBARE BIBLIOTHEEK (Library) - Amsterdam

14/8/2014

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Now this is a library that you'll want to go to.

I wandered in because I wanted to check out a few magazines, but it's so impressive I almost forgot about that. It's simply fabulous. It's interesting, abundant, fun, quirky and inspiring. It just happens to be right near Amsterdam Central station, surrounded by water, and with views across the city. If you happen to be a little peckish you can treat yourself to some super fresh food at La Place Cafe on the 7th floor too. I enjoyed the terrace, sun, and views, sipping on a delicious, fresh pineapple and mint juice.

Centrale Bibliotheek Amsterdam was conceived by Jo Coenen, the former state architect of the Netherlands. Completed in 2007, it cost 80 million to build, and occupies a whopping 28,000 square metres. Curved furniture and shelving gives a sense of flow throughout the spaces. All the zones are defined, yet flow into and around each other. I was drawn into each one. Curved desks, seats, seating pods; all comfortable and conducive to work and relaxation. I could have stayed there for hours, exploring and appreciating it floor by floor.

So how about its functionality? In addition to unique collections, the library also consists of a theatre, a radio station, conference rooms, exhibition space, a music department, study pods, 600 Internet-connected computers, 50 multimedia workplaces, 110 catalogue reference terminals and 11 print and copy stations. Basically whatever you need, you will find.

OPENBARE BIBLIOTHEEK AMSTERDAM / Oosterdokskade 143, 1011 Amsterdam / www.oba.nl
Images: ℅ Google images

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HEIKO PIPPIG - Artist

9/8/2014

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Heiko Pippig. Thank you. What an incredible talent and generous, sweet man.

We left Mosbach today after spending a few days on a shoot, and both received a painting from him. Amazing!

We had both really admired his work and the home owner told him. We had hoped to meet him yesterday but the shoot went over time and we missed our opportunity. This morning Heyley presented us with our gifts, saying that "Heiko painted these for you." What? Wow! I love it and can barely believe it. We are planning to surprise him with a visit on our way to Dusseldorf next week…shhhh…don't tell him…it's going to be a surprise!

Heiko Pippig is a contemporary German artist, trained under "world renowned painter" Markus Lupertz. He has always been fascinated, even "obsessed" with the human form. He completed his art studies at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe in 1982, and some years later at the prestigious Acedemy of Visual Arts university (Hochschule für Graphik und Buchkunst) in Leipzig.

Pippig belongs to a long tradition of German artists: from Lovis Corinth to the "Brücke" artists (i.e. E.L. Kirchner, K. Schmidt- Rottluff) with their urban scenes and figures to the post-war art of "wild paintings" by Jörg Immendorff, Georg Baselitz or Salomé. Characteristic for these artists are the impulsive, almost eruptive bold strokes, strong and contrasting colours, an impressive simplification of the outlines of their figures, to express their subjective impressions and feelings. Their paintings do not show reality, but an inner vision of their reality, an inner essence of themselves.

Pippig chooses his models carefully, studying them for a long time before deciding to paint them. He observes patiently, imbuing himself with their personality before beginning to paint. The outward appearance is not his real goal – he wants a portrait of the model's character. He believes with Oscar Wilde: "The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible". If you want to discover the heart, you have to begin with the surface. Pippig refuses outside proposals. Long-term friendships mean more to him, among them are actors, famous persons or politicians.

Text: ℅ Heiko Pippig website