The #Art of #Bulgari La Dolce Vita To Exhibit @ Fine Arts Musuems Of San Francisco Fall 2013

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco announced this week an upcoming show this fall, The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Beyond 1950 - 1990, is an exhibition of approximately 150 pieces created by the renowned Italian jeweler over four decades. This exclusive exhibition will highlight jewelry that defined a pivotal period in Italian design, and will include many pieces from the personal collection of Elizabeth Taylor. The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Beyond, 1950 – 1990 will be on display at the de Young Museum from September 21, 2013 through February 17, 2014.

Necklace, 1962, with pendant/brooch, 1958Platinum with emeralds and diamondsNecklace: 37 x 2.7 cm. Pendant/brooch: 4.9 x 3.4 cmFormerly in the collection of Elizabeth TaylorBulgari Heritage Collection

Bulgari notably began to create its own trademark in jewelry in the 1960s by embracing boldly-colored combinations of gemstones, use of heavy gold, and forms derived from Greco-Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th-century Roman school of goldsmiths. The company helped to develop a look that would come to be known as the “Italian school” of jewelry design. Pieces in the exhibition display the jeweler’s eclectic creativity and invention during this period.

Works in the exhibition also include those from the 1970s and 80s, a particularly innovative period for the jeweler and one influenced by Pop Art and other contemporary trends.

"The hard-edged designs of the 1970s included a whole range based on the Stars-and-Stripes motif, while in the 1980s the Parentesi collection had a smoother, modular, almost architectural presence; both show how the jeweler could lead in new directions with a strong sense of design,” said Martin Chapman, curator in charge of European Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Bulgari’s successful cultivation of prominent patrons and movie stars like Sophia Loren, Ingrid Bergman, and perhaps most notably, Elizabeth Taylor, has long been a key aspect of the jeweler’s reputation. To help explore the cultural context in which these objects were made, the exhibition will include innovative uses of sketches, photographs, and other archival materials that help to reveal a fascinating intersection of celebrity, design, and fine craftsmanship.  

The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Beyond, 1950 - 1990 continues the Fine Arts Museums’ strong track record of exhibitions highlighting the work of decisive figures and movements in the world of fashion and design including: Cartier in America, Balenciaga and Spain, Yves Saint Laurent and The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, among others.

de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
deyoungmuseum.org
415-750-3600

Image 1: Bracelets, 1955 and 1959 Platinum with diamonds Each 19.8 x 2.2 cm Formerly in the collection of Ellen Barkin inv. 4924 B527, 4925 B528

Image 3: “Star Spangled Banner” earrings, ca. 1975 Gold with coral, lapis lazuli, and diamonds 3 x 2.3 cm inv. 4943 E1063

Image 4: “Melone” evening bag, ca. 1972 Gold and burnished steel with diamonds 14 x 9 x 3 cm Formerly in the collection of Lyn Revson  inv. 5046 V36

Image 5: “Tremblant” brooch, 1962 Platinum with fancy yellow diamonds and diamonds 9.5 x 5 cm inv. 4998 P154

Images courtesy of The Bulgari Heritage Collection

#Luxury Pitch Received

Famed Architect Richard Meier: The Art Of Living, Tel Aviv Luxury Residences

The talented architect Richard Meier doesn't only design famous buildings like the Getty Center; he creates collages — he's been collaging nearly 30 years. But unlike his legendary buildings, his collages are much harder to get your hands (or eyes) on. Rarely sold, only a handful has been gifted to friends and institutions over the past few decades.  The Meier-on-Rothschild (http://www.meier.co.il), the ultra-luxury Tel Aviv residential tower designed by Richard Meier and slated for completion in Q1 2014, has just announced it’s precious Richard Meier collages…are for sale, and included in the the price of a penthouse; positioning the four collages Meier hand-selected from his archive – one per penthouse – to be among the most valuable (and expensive) in the world. The penthouses, which include these rare works of art, range from $19 million to $50 million.

The available penthouses include The Palace in the Sky, a 15,257-square-foot villa on the 38th and 39th floor and the most expensive apartment ever for sale in Israel ($50 million); The Royal Penthouse, a 7,833-square-foot estate on the 40th floor; and The Rothschild Summit, a 6,520-square-foot townhouse on the 41st and 42nd floors. All penthouses feature 360-degree views, 10-foot ceilings, Jacuzzis, generous outdoor terraces, private elevators, and more. There's a cool interactive display of the building on their site, HERE.

Many of Meier's collages were created during long flights or in the waiting areas of airports and, despite their inherent uniqueness - layered compositions of “found” papers, shapes and colors - are very much a piece of his architecture. As a presentation drawing is no substitute for the physical experience of architecture, the visual power of his collages derives from the suggestion of “space” that we do not see: small fragments of letters and pictures with their own histories, former uses and meanings.

And, as a Richard Meier building is activated by colors and light collected on the surfaces of white metal panels, the silent dynamic of each collage is focused within a standard square frame. It is difficult to view the collages without imagining the architectural grid, portioned and worked over by time, the hand, and chance. Materials used: mixed media collages on museum board

Meier-on-Rothschild, which broke ground in 2008, is a 42-story ultra-luxury residential tower designed by internationally acclaimed Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier. Rising 590 feet, Meier-on-Rothschild is the tallest residential building in Tel Aviv. The modernist white and transparent tower demonstrates the architect’s reputation for buildings that exploit the natural light and integrate seamlessly into their surroundings. A unique aluminum system is used to envelop the tower, in keeping with the project’s environmental standards as well as to create an aesthetic statement that aligns with the exceptional residenceswithin. It is Richard Meier’s first project in Israel. #hospitalitypitch

The Thymes: Botanical Traditions Brought Home

Two things at home that I'm a junkie for are good candles and great bath products. In fact, I've written previously about my favorite bath items, and I'm here again to tell you more about one of the best lines out there, The Thymes.

When I was alerted that their Filigree collection had returned for a limited time a few months back, I was interested. Since it's meant to be spring, at least by the calendar if not the weather,  The Thymes offers up some remarkable fresh scents for this and every season.

What makes a Thymes fragrance? According to their site, "It’s a scent that’s fresh and clean, instantly familiar yet remarkably engaging. Complex, yet never overpowering. With a balance of identifiable notes originating from the time-honored traditions of perfumery. Yet blended in a unique way for how we live our lives today. Nearly 30 years ago, Thymes was founded by two childhood friends with a mutual curiosity and a common desire to make something meaningful and beautiful. Since then, the company has flourished thanks to a shared passion for creativity, botanical ingenuity, beauty and friendship."

Not one to enjoy cloying scents you can't shake, The Thymes always delivers on its promise of a clean, fresh and inviting scent to all their products. Made In The USA is just one more reason to spend a little money on yourself and enjoy these products.  Thymes fragrances fall into 1 or more of 7 dominant families/sub-families which are easily outlined cleverly online for you to imagine what the actual scent will smell like. Each fragrance is built around a central characteristic, or dominant fragrance family, which expresses its most essential personality. Lending nuance and complexity to Thymes fragrances, sub-families describe the aromatic notes used to enliven each scent. Sub-families complement the dominant fragrance family and enhance a fragrance’s character; they may even lend a surprising note of complexity.

Below are some of my favorites, but I encourage you to explore the line, the clean freshness of each collection will leave both men and women happy when they step out of the bath or shower. The scents are light and clean, and while some lend themselves to the feminine, all are somewhat unisex in their appeal. All Thymes products are free of parabens, SLES, SLS, propylene glycol, mineral oil, petrolatum and animal-derived ingredients.

The Azur Collection restores skin with a complex blend of sea herbs, minerals and vitamins. Azur, a gentle ocean breeze of white tea with accents of white pepper and moist water lily. 

Olive Leaf Collection features a fresh blend of fresh rosemary, Sardinian laurel leaf and balsamic lavender flowers mingled with rich earthy notes of European patchouli, crisp balsam and herbaceous rosewood designed to mimic a Mediterranean escape.

·       Olive Leaf Bar Soap ($13): Envelop the body in sumptuous suds with this olive-oil infused triple-milled bath soap. The result? Clean skin that’s silky-soft, never stripped.

·       Olive Leaf Bubble Bath ($20): This indulgent bath treat enriched with moisturizing olive oil, antioxidant olive leaf extract and healing vitamin E creates a calming creamy lather for an enhanced sense of balance, both inside and out.

·   Olive Leaf Body Lotion ($24): Packed with nourishing botanicals, antioxidant olive leaf extract, pure olive oil, shea butter, glycerin and vitamin E, this deeply hydrating daily moisturizer leaves skin looking visibly renewed. 

By far my go-to body wash, body lotion and generous bath soap, their Eucalyptus is a mélange of eucalyptus, lemon, lime, bergamot, lemongrass, rosewood and fir, Thymes’ Eucalyptus collection is stimulating and refreshing yet never overwhelming. The revitalizing Eucalyptus fragrance is perfect for citrus lovers looking for a clean and crisp scent.

• Eucalyptus Bar Soap ($13): Lather up with this luxurious pure-vegetable glycerin soap. Enriched with moisture-rich jojoba oil, honey and vitamin E, this hydrating soap is infused with zesty notes of eucalyptus, enveloped by a lively citrus blend of Italian lemon, lime and bergamot. Green florals and lemongrass are layered over a tantalizing bed of herbaceous rosewood and fir, creating an indulgent experience out of the simple act of washing your hands.
• Eucalyptus Cologne ($33):  Enhanced with all-natural botanical extracts, jojoba oil and aloe vera, the scent is crisp and refreshing. 
• Eucalyptus Room Spray ($17):  Clear your home and infuse a light citrus natural delight for any room.

The line features a seemingless unending collection to infuse your life with clean fresh fragrances, from hand and body washes, moisturizers, bath soaps,  salts to infusers and room sprays. Pricing varies from retailers slightly, if you're patient enough to order online, their site offers a rich amount of information and profiles on all their products. Great gifts for any occasion, the collection is also one to be savored yourself; I can't ever get enough!

*note some products mentioned were purchased and several were provided by the brand's representative

#Iconic #Filmfest launches: Humphrey Bogart Film Festival #KeyLargo

Presented in the actual setting of one of America’s most iconic movie classics, Key Largo’s Humphrey Bogart Film Festival is scheduled May 2-5, offering attendees an immersion in all things Bogart.

The inaugural event marks 65 years since the premiere of the movie “Key Largo,” starring Bogart and his wife Lauren Bacall. The festival is to be hosted by Stephen Bogart, son of Bogart and Bacall, with noted film critic Leonard Maltin as a featured guest. It is the only event of its kind to be sanctioned by the Bogart estate and is produced in partnership with the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce.

Events are scheduled to kick off Thursday evening with a cocktail reception hosted by Bogart and Maltin at Key Largo’s Murray Nelson Cultural Center, mile marker (MM) 102, followed by an outdoor waterfront screening of the Bogie and Bacall classic, “Key Largo.”

The festival is to feature screenings of Bogart films and other classics from the film noir genre. Attendees are to enjoy in-theater showings, as well as screenings held outdoors under the stars in Key Largo’s balmy subtropical climate. 

Other attractions include cruises on the original, century-old African Queen, the boat used in the Bogart film of the same name. Registered as a national historic site, the vessel was relaunched in 2012 following a $70,000 restoration.

Attendees can party like characters in their favorite films at the Casablanca-themed Bogart Ball planned for Saturday, May 4, at the Hilton Key Largo Resort, MM 97, and hosted by Stephen Bogart. The evening gala includes a red carpet cocktail reception in a casino setting, a three-course dinner with a Moroccan-themed menu and dancing Maltin is scheduled to speak about Bogart’s contribution to the film noir genre. Tickets are $175 per person.

Tickets to individual screenings are $10 each. Tickets to double-feature presentations are $20 per person.

Visit www.bogartfilmfestival.com to purchase tickets, book value-added accommodations, reserve space on an African Queen excursion or learn more about the Bogart Film Festival.

#Film #Pitch received of note

Jaguar Land Rover Announces Significant Product Investment

Geneva, Switzerland (March 6, 2013) -- Yesterday, with sales up 30% for 2012, Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's largest premium automotive manufacturer, unveiled its latest plans for further investments in technology and innovation at the Geneva International Motor Show, including

• Introducing eight new or updated products during 2013 and investing £2.75 billion (approximately USD $4.2 billion) in new product development.
• Increasing total investment to more than £500 million (approximately USD $755 million) in its new, state-of-the-art Engine Manufacturing Center in the UK, doubling the number of jobs to 1,400.
• In its 65th anniversary year, Land Rover reveals the world's first 9-speed transmission in a passenger vehicle, alongside its new all-electric Defender research vehicles.
• Jaguar's fastest and most powerful sports saloon ever -- the Jaguar XFR-S -- makes its eagerly awaited European debut alongside the new two-seat sports car, the Jaguar F-TYPE.

Jaguar Land Rover's new Engine Manufacturing Center in the UK is essential to supporting the company's long-term strategic growth plans and will be the home for a new generation of technologically advanced, lightweight 4-cylinder low emission diesel and petrol engines. The new Engine Manufacturing Center will open later this year with the first engines coming off the production line in 2015. 

The First Ever 9 Speed Automatic

Jaguar Land Rover will invest approximately $4.2 billion in product development which will support the launch of eight new innovative products, including the world's first nine-speed gearbox in its Land Rover product line-up.