Tag Archives: Contemporary art

Paramount Hotels & Resorts launches DAMAC Towers in Dubai

Five-star hotel launches can quite often be looked over in Dubai, but when Paramount Pictures puts its name to something we pay attention, interested in understanding how a major Hollywood film studio is going to approach the design of such a project.

Joining forces with DAMAC properties, who have produced residences by Versace Home and FENDI CASA, Paramount Hotels & Resorts announced the major joint development to be called DAMAC Towers by Paramount. The project, which houses four towers located in Downtown Dubai, will be home to the first ever Paramount Hotel and Paramount Residences. The project is due for completion and opening in 2016.

And yet, what is going to be different about this development? When a luxury fashion brand puts its name to a property – be it residences by Versace Home, FENDI CASA or Baccarat, a hotel by Armani, or a nightclub by Armani or Cavalli – you pretty much know what you’re going to get. It’ll be luxurious and impeccably designed, but it’ll reflect the fashion brand so closely that from a design perspective there aren’t going to be any surprises. This isn’t to say the above mentioned interiors aren’t amazing, they are! The Armani Hotel’s sleek black and grey minimalist interior exudes class and luxurious simplicity, and only a genius (we’re talking Roberto Cavalli here) could combine zebra print, purple lighting, black crushed velvet with enormous chandeliers all in one space, and still keep it sophisticated. It’s just that, as the properties are an extension of what is already a design brand, you know they are going to be, well, an interior version of a couture dress.

But how does one of the oldest, most recognized Hollywood film studios decide to design its hotels? We spoke to Thomas Van Vliet, CEO of Paramount Hotels & Resorts, back in December 2012, and he explained that he didn’t want the design to be obvious or tacky by including features such as a ‘Marlon Brando’ Cigar Lounge, and we agree. It was refreshing to hear a brand developing a hotel in Dubai and still wanting to maintain an element of innovation and creativity.

And at the launch we weren’t disappointed. The brand values – creativity, simplicity, collaboration, mystery and escape – show that Paramount Hotels & Resorts will be developed using the same creative process perfected by Paramount Pictures itself. The promise was to focus on innovative design and energizing concepts using the development to showcase media, music, design, fashion and the arts, “For the creative. By the creative.”

The designs were elegant and playful, hinting at the California lifestyle, with a definite yet subtle Hollywood film influence – floor lamps resembling studio lights, a dramatic installation made from light umbrellas. The lobby boasts theatrical high ceilings and celluloid themed structures and curves. The design concept is neither so obscure that film buffs will be disappointed or so apparent that design enthusiasts will cringe – and considering where our passions lie, all we can say is roll on 2016.

Diamonds Are Forever: Bert Stern | Marilyn @ JAMM Gallery

A beautiful exhibition of Bert Stern’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe is being hosted at JAMM art gallery located in Al Quoz, Dubai. The exhibition will last until 18th April so if you haven’t had a chance to visit yet you most definitely should.

In late June 1962, just six weeks before Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, Bert Stern took almost 2,600 photographs of the American star over three daily sessions at the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles for the popular Vogue magazine; this photo shoot later became known as The Last Sitting.

Stern’s photographs carry a rare sensual and human vibrancy. Never before had the star allowed a photographer such intimate access, and Stern’s camera captures a revealing, naked portrait of Marilyn the person – a fragile, lonely, flawed woman who would die tragically a few weeks later.

“Marilyn Monroe was great, sexy, beautiful and funny- the perfect all American girl. I loved her. I am very excited to be having a show for the first time in the fabulous city of Dubai”, said Bert Stern

Here are some of our favourites.

Marilyn with Veil

 

Marilyn with Chinchilla

 

Marilyn with Nikon

 

Marilyn Pink Roses

Images courtesy of Z7 Communications.

Design Days Dubai 2013: Review

After the debut last year, we were very excited to see what Design Days Dubai 2013 had to offer, and we were not disappointed. With galleries from all over the world showcasing some show stopping designs, here are some of our favourites.

 

Based Upon

The artworks tell the story of their subject, often beginning with an important location or family history. Based on natural forms and ‘the passage of time’ the pieces are made from metals and resins. The gallery is based in London.

Fragmented Crack Coffee Table

 

Wandering Knightsbridge

 

Stilwerk Limited Edition Design Gallery

Based in Hamburg, Stilwerk is establishing a platform for contemporary products intertwining art and design

PLOPP Copper Family Stools by Oskar Zieta

 

Moto_OV Sideboard by Sgroll & Vidal

 

“Object of Transit” by Sgroll & Vidal

 

La Galerie Nationale

Dubai based La Galerie Nationale were exhibiting the design works of artist turned designer Helidon Xhixha – shaped, sculpted metal turned into furniture pieces. Check out his design work at www.styleand steeluae.com.

Vitality

 

Stainless Steel Sliding Door “Gateway of Light”

 

Seating Ensemble

 

J+A Gallery

Although usually specialising in offering the Dubai design scene with rare industrial and mid-century design objects and salvaged goods from Germany and Central Europe, the gallery had a few surprises in the form of artist and designer Ritchie Riediger’s work. The “Fire – Frequency Tubes” consist of borosilicate glass and polished brass, and emit an amazing crytal clear colorful light, the order and shape of which  based on the frequency of a burning fire.

 

Jens Praet with Industry Gallery

Italian based Belgian designer Jens Praet produced a Shredded Side Table during Design Days Dubai opening hours, in addition to running two fully booked workshops. ‘Shredded’ takes non-useful documents and leftover magazines and transforms them into valuable and useful objects. The selection below is from the Elle Decor Edition.

 

Carpenters Workshop Gallery 

Carpenters Workshop Gallery is known for its discovery of bold and iconic design-art. Like many of the artists it fosters, the gallery takes a young, fresh and dynamic approach, primarily following its own aesthetic. They exhibit unique and limited edition works both by emerging and established artists, and designers.

Lathe IX by Sebastian Brajkovic

 

Lathe Side Table 650 & 450 by Sebastian Brajkovic

 

“You Fade To Light” by Random International

 

Eiffel Tower Lamp by Studio Job

 

Fragile Future Chandelier 3.6 by Gordijn & Nauta

DIFF 2012 VIP Lounge The Story: Part I

Cate Blanchett & Yasemin Richie at the IWC Gala Party in Dubai: Cate loved her Storyline inspired by Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Since Yasemin Richie are sponsors of the DIFF VIP lounge we thought we’d give you the low-down through out the week.

VIPs to the lounge on the first day were the stars of the opening night red carpet film “The Life of Pi”.  Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussein and Shravanthi Sainath all left with personalised Storylines – Suraj took a Storyline inspired by The Bicycle Thief, a film given to him by Ang Lee while he was perparing for his role in The Life of Pi.

On Monday Best Actress Academy award winner Cate Blanchett made a whirlwind visit, which was tightly scheduled and carefully planned, and loved her Elizabeth: The Golden Age Storyline. Also we had singer/songwriter Bryan Ferry who popped in before heading off to the IWC Gala where he was Master of Ceremony and Cirque de Soleil star Erica Linz – Bryan left with a Storyline inspired by Legend. Throughout the day the Lounge was filled with Kuwaiti television stars.  Leading ladies Shaima Ali and Fatima Al Saffi came in along with brothers Mahmoud and Abdul Bouchari and actor Hamid Al Omani.

Although he didn’t manage to get to the lounge, we had a lovely time with Kevin Spacey at the IWC Gala and he left Dubai with his very own Storyline inspired by American Beauty.

Kevin Spacey IWC Gala Yasemin Richie

Kevin Spacey at the IWC Gala in Dubai: Kevin has a Storyline inspired by American Beauty

 

Suraj Sharma & Yasemin Richie

Suraj Sharma & Yasemin Richie with a Storyline inspired by The Bicycle Thief

 

Shravanthi Sainath & Yasemin Richie

Shravanthi Sainath & Yasemin Richie: Storyline inspired by the Bollywood film Straight from the Heart

 

Adil Hussein & Yasemin Richie

Adil Hussein & Yasemin Richie with a Storyline inspired by his film Ishqiya

 

Mahmoud Bouchari & Yasemin Richie

Mahmoud Bouchari & Yasemin Richie

 

Ahmed Bouchari & Yasemin Richie

Ahmed Bouchari loved the Storyline inspired by The Matrix

 

Andrew Adamson & Yasemin Richie

Had a great chat with Andrew Adamson, director of Shrek, about how the colour palette of a film is created

 

Andrew Adamson & Yasemin Richie

Andrew Adamson & Yasemin Richie

 

Bryan Ferry & Yasemin Richie

Bryan Ferry &Yasemin Richie

 

Yasemin & Richie Delaroche

Yasemin & Richie Delaroche at the IWC Gala during DIFF 2012

Altstadt Vienna: A Must-See Art Hotel

When you step into the Altstadt Vienna you immediately feel the impact of its unique vibrance. Simply, it is stunning.

Built in 1902, the hotel building was the palace of an industrialist from the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy who originally used it to showcase his products.

Over the years factory halls were built into the court of the Patrician house, which were eventually reconstructed into lofts and, during the 1950’s, the building was used as a boarding house.

In 1991 the current owner, Otto E. Wiesenthal, bought the house and converted it into what is now the Altstadt Vienna offering 42 rooms and suites in addition to long stay apartments spread across five storeys.  Wiesenthal’s personal art collection is displayed throughout the hotel. Each hallway differs in style and each room has been individually designed.

Located in the 7th Viennese district, the Spittelberg area which is famous for its artistic flair, the hotel is made special by its daring interior design and the huge art collection that can be admired throughout.  With each corridor you turn down, or room you walk into, you are accosted with spectacular design: a dark, sensuous hallway punctuated with retro photography on the way to the cozy salon with an open fireplace; or original parquet floors contrasted with candy-colored walls and furniture.

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Original wrought iron balustrades with brightly coloured, geometric stair runner

And there have been quite a few big names that have contributed to the interior of this truly unique hotel: one guest room has a Philippe Starck designed bathroom; there is an original Helnwein along the staircase, and a Prachensky at the front desk. Some of Vienna’s numerous museums even enrich the collection by lending artwork to the Altstadt, and Otto E. Wiesenthal himself lives in a suite in the hotel – you may see him straightening the edges of the Alstadt’s Warhol-to-Gilbert & George art collection.

As if this was not enough, there are nine new neo-baroque style rooms designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun. With massive chandeliers, dark damask wallpaper, and a framed soft-focus nude pin-up on the ceiling above some of the beds, the Altstadt’s website describes these rooms as having a ‘touch of the erotic’ and they are not wrong.

After spending the day wandering around the museums, art galleries and antiques shops of Vienna all you will want to do is get back to your suite and enjoy a soak in a large freestanding bath while enjoying beautiful contemporary art, well that is, if like us you are staying in Junior Suite 15. With original oak herringbone parquet floors, bright red walls, and dark wooden furniture brought together with accents of olive-green and burgundy, the space has a dramatic impact that still feels warm and cosy.

Leaving the room for breakfast in the morning you are awoken by a lively yellow corridor covered with contemporary art – paintings, photography and sculpture. Actually, it takes you a while to get down to breakfast as it feels more like wandering around a well decorated art gallery as oppose to a hotel. One thing the Alstadt does not have is that ‘chain hotel’ feel.

One of my favourite design aspects of this hotel is that it purposely contrasts its many original decorative features – the parquet floors, the ceiling mouldings, the wrought iron stair balustrades, for example – with a bright, pop-art colour scheme, contemporary art and modern patterns.

Each piece of art, each carpet runner and each room you walk into has been specifically placed or designed to create a different mood, yet the culmination of this is an interior that is relaxing, while inspiring, and a space you just don’t want to leave.

Altstadt Vienna – http://www.hotel-altstadt-vienna.com/

Photography © Yasemin Richie, 2011